Barnet meet Northampton Town at Underhill this afternoon in a match that has become very important for the Bees. Following Saturday’s dreadful 4-0 defeat at Aldershot, the Bees have now gained just three points in their last eight league matches since beating Darlington 3-0 at Underhill in October. Amazingly, Barnet are still only seven points off of a play-off position, but that statistic will be meaningless unless there is a significant upturn in Barnet’s form and in their results.
Joe Devera returned for the match at Aldershot which is good news, though he was bound to be a bit rusty. Joe Tabiri, returned from loan at Havant & Waterlooville, gave a good account of himself in place of skipper, Micah Hyde but it was a very poor performance and one that the Bees will certainly have to put behind them this afternoon. However, there is some good news in the shape of Gary Breen who could be fit for Barnet’s next match away at Shrewsbury Town on 9th January. However, Clovis Kamdjo is still out injured.
Calum Butcher, on loan from Tottenham, has had his loan extended for a further month, but decisions will have to be made after today’s games about Dean Sinclair and Craig McAllister and also about Yannick Bolasie whose six month loan is up soon. With the January transfer window looming, it will be very interesting seeing who will be coming and going around Underhill. One certain departure would seem to be that of Albert Adomah whose form has fallen away so dramatically in recent matches.
Barnet’s 3-1 away win at Northampton was one of the highlights so far this season and if the Bees win today they will complete their first double of the season. The Cobblers were relegated from League One last season and have made a poor start to the season, but are only two points behind the Bees in 18th place. Their own poor run in the league came to an end at the weekend when they defeated Dagenham & Redbridge 1-0 at home, ending a run of seven league matches without a win.
It is very hard to be optimistic about the Bees at present. Even our unbeaten home record in the league fell in the last match at Underhill against Crewe. However, all runs do have to come to an end and maybe today that will happen and the Bees may get a lucky break which will stimulate them to reproduce their form of earlier in the season. Indeed, a repeat of the form shown against Bournemouth at the beginning of this month would probably be enough to see off Northampton and Barnet Mad are, with some misgivings not withstanding, going for a 2-0 win for the Bees this afternoon.