Barnet entertain Bradford City at Underhill tomorrow looking to put the dreadful Johnstone’s paint Trophy performance against Southend United in midweek behind them. Manager, Mark Stimson will be looking for a return to the form of last Saturday when they defeated Hereford united 2-0 at Underhill. The game against Hereford was the first of four matches against opposition from the bottom half of League Two and the Bees will be looking to gather together a reasonable number of points as they aim to move away from the wrong end of the league table. Following Bradford City, the Bees have an away trip to Stockport County next Saturday and a home game against Macclesfield Town in a fortnight.
Bradford City are a point and two places below the Bees in the table and currently occupy one of the two relegation places. It seems unthinkable that such a big club with an enormous fanbase at this level could be in danger of dropping in to the Conference, but following the relegation of such clubs as Luton Town, Mansfield and Grimsby Town in recent years, league longevity is no guarantee of safety any more. However, City would surely be the biggest league club to be relegated should that happen. Of course, it’s still very early days and, hopefully, that will not happen, though, of course, Bees’ fans will be hoping that the Bantams are still in 23rd place this time tomorrow!!
City manager, Peter Taylor’s job looks very much under threat and following the dismissal of Hereford manager, Simon Davey after their defeat at Underhill last week, the former Stevenage and Crystal Palace boss must be dreading returning to Yorkshire empty handed tomorrow. It certainly won’t be an easy game for the Bees tomorrow as the Bantams are sure to bring a large following with them and they will get behind their team in an effort to get the club out of their current embarrassing situation. Bradford City will be without their main striker tomorrow, the former Macclesfield man, Gareth Evans, while midfield player, Tommy Doherty and defender, Shane Duff are doubtful.
After the Southend fiasco, Mark Stimson may make a few changes to the side for tomorrow’s game. Midfield player, Mark Byrne misses the game through suspension. He was one of a number of players who had an off day on Tuesday. Defender, Clovis Kamdjo could also be left out after being involved in all three Southend goals. New loan signing from Norwich City, George Francomb looks likely to come in at right back and it’s possible that Joe Devera, who had a poor game on Tuesday as well, could move over to partner Grant Basey in the centre of the defence.
Up front, there are doubts about Steve Kabba and Charlie Taylor, but Stimson will be very keen to have Kabba fit enough to partner Phil Walsh up front to give the Bees’ attack a bit more guile. Walsh’s loan spell from Dagenham & Redbridge runs out after tomorrow’s game and Stimson will have to decide if he wants the loan extended. Walsh has scored three times since he arrived at Underhill, a good a return as anyone else this season and with new signing, Izale McLeod still some way off from a starting place, Stimson may well wish to retain the services of the big striker for a while yet. Of course, the one big plus from midweek was the outstanding performance of Mauro Vilhete after coming on as a second half substitute. He scored Barnet’s goal, but apart from that he gave a very skilful performance and looks a very exciting prospect at 17.
In midfield, Barnet will be missing Byrne of course and there are doubts about Glen Southam, who was badly missed against Southend, and Glen Poole and Mark Hughes is back in contention for a place in the side. Sam Cox could also be in contention after coming on as a substitute against Southend, though he could also play at right back if Stimson decides to drop Kamdjo and Devera and play Francomb at centre back.
With so many uncertainties of who will be fit for tomorrow’s game, it is not easy to guess at a likely line up for the Bees, but it could well look something like this:
Cole
Francomb Devera Basey Parkes
Holmes (or Vilhete) Hughes Jarvis Marshall
Kabba Walsh
It is also difficult to gainsay just what Barnet’s performance will be like. The defence has been leaking goals recently, though Stimson has been most unlucky with the long term injuries sustained by Dennehy and Leach. However, a pairing of Devera and Basey at the centre of the defence could well lead to a great improvement in that area, particularly if Francomb lives up to expectations. Much could also depend on Steve Kabba being fit. Taking the optimistic line that Kabba is available then Barnet should be strong enough to make Peter Taylor’s life a bit more miserable and a 1-0 home win does not seem beyond the realm of possibilities tomorrow.