As the Blues headed for a third successive 0-0 draw in a row away from home, Barry played a major role in finally breaking down the Latics’ stubborn resistance as City scored twice in a matter of minutes to secure all three points.
Barry, who will claim an assist for each goal on the night, says the team need to rediscover their creativity in and around the box and try and get a foothold in games earlier than midway through the second half.
“It was a worry at half-time because we looked pretty solid in defence, but we weren’t creating too much in the final third,” said Barry.
“It’s always important to get that first goal in a tight game like that and it came at a good time.”
The England midfielder also believes Mario Balotelli’s first Premier League strike of the campaign could also open the floodgates for the young Italian at a crucial stage of the season.
“Hopefully it could be good for Mario and he could go on a run now,” he said. “Any striker’s goals are going to play a massive part over the course of a season. To be fair to Mario, he hasn’t had loads of chances, but when you do get them, you need to take them. He’s took his chance at Wigan and I hope it’s the first of many.
“Anyone who knows Mario knows he’s not going to lack confidence. If he misses two or three, he’ll keep trying the same things. Hopefully that goal will give him that extra bit of confidence in his play and he can improve from that.
“He scored some massive goals fort us last season. If he can repeat that again this season, it will be good for us and him.”
Like the rest of the City squad, Barry wants to keep the unbeaten league run going as long as possible, with the sequence stretching back 20 games. He accepts the next few weeks will be a major test with visits of Everton and United to come.
“If we can keep that going for as long as possible, it’s obviously going to help,” he smiled. “I think it’s similar to last season in many ways, but I don’t think we’ve got as many points or goals. We just want to win as many games as possible.
“People have mentioned the draws we’ve had. We need to turn them into wins because the three points are vital.
“We started very slowly in terms of conceding goals after having an impressive defensive record last season. Touch wood - that seems to be back on track at the moment. We need to keep that going.
“It’s a massive game for us against Everton and we always find it difficult against them, so if we get a positive result there, we’ll go into the derby with confidence.”
