MATCH PREVIEW: Morecambe

Last updated : 22 January 2010 By Jaybee

Barnet travel up to Morecambe, tomorrow afternoon, badly in need of some kind of result from their League Two match at Christie Park. The Bees are placed 17th, still nine points away from the relegation zone and ten points off of the play-offs. However, it is their current form that is of great concern. Following their home defeat to struggling, Lincoln City last Saturday, the Bees have gained just four points from their last ten league matches. In particular, their away from is very worrying as Barnet have lost their last seven league matches on the road. The last time, Barnet got anything from an away league match was way back in September when the Bees drew 1-1 at Macclesfield Town.

Morecambe, on the other hand have made great strides since they lost 2-0 at Underhill way back in August. They are currently placed 10th in the league and are six points clear of Barnet and just four points off of the play-offs. However, there has been a slight dip in their form of late. They took just one point from three matches over the Christmas period and they have not played since December 28th.

Morecambe could be without top scorer, Phil Jevons, who is on loan from Huddersfield Town. He will have a late test on a back injury. Former Accrington veteran, Paul Mullin is definitely out with a knee injury as is midfield player, Ian Craney, like Jevons on loan from Huddersfield. Craney has ankle ligament trouble and is likely to miss the rest of the season.

Morecambe will also be without midfield player, Garry Hunter and defender, Laurence Wilson who are both serving one match suspensions. Meanwhile, the Bees are still missing central defender, Clovis Kamdjo and midfield player, Nicky Deverdics and, following last Saturday’s match, Kenny Gillet has a calf injury which will keep him out of the Morecambe game.

Long term injury worry, Gary Breen could return at centre back if his knee has completely recovered and Matt Lockwood, who has returned to Underhill on a month’s loan from Colchester, is likely to play at left back in place of Gillet. New signing from Chelsea, Lee Sawyer, who came on as a substitute against Lincoln, could make his first start in midfield.

The Bees badly need to get something out of tomorrow’s game to stop their current free fall towards the relegation zone and they will be desperate to end their awful run of away defeats stemming back to September. At some point, this run will have to come to an end and a win will come from somewhere. The team did play some good football against Lincoln and created chances to score. But, 3 goals in their last 6 matches shows where the main problem lies. The strikers and the midfield needs to start scoring some goals. Hopefully, Christie Park is where Barnet’s season re-ignites. With Lockwood, and maybe Breen, back in the defence, Barnet Mad is going to throw caution to the wind and go for a narrow 1-0 win for the Bees.