Barnet entertain Oxford United in a 1st round FA Cup match at Underhill this afternoon. The Bees are on a good run in the league after a dreadful start when they took just three points from their first 12 games. Barnet have grabbed 7 points from their lat three league games following a 4-0 home win over Northampton, a goalless draw at Wycombe and a fine 1-0 win at Chesterfield last Saturday when Mark Byrne tucked away a late penalty to take all three points for the Bees. Not only that but, after leaking 26 goals in 12 games, the last three matches have seen the Bees keep a clean sheet. Certainly the Edgar Davids effect seems to be working for Barnet.
Talking in the Barnet Times this week, Mark Robson indicated that there may be changes for the cup game today. “We have a squad to choose from and I’m sure there are players who are itching to have an opportunity to play in a side that are getting some results at the moment. So there may be a chance for one or two players to show their worth and try and force their way into the team”.
Robson went on to say that there were “a few little niggling injuries anyway” but that it was “important for (players coming in) them to show why they should be in the team”. However, Robson is keen for the Bees to progress in the FA Cup as far as they can and said that “we will put (out) a team that we believe can win”.
Robson said that he was delighted with the form of Edgar Davids and that the 4-0 win over Northampton had done wonders for the team’s confidence.
On the injury front, Robson told the Barnet Times that Curtis Weston and Freddie Warren played in a friendly at the Hive this week and are getting closer to full fitness while Dutch international striker, Collins John could be in contention for a starting place against Oxford. Another international, midfield star, John Oster faces a late fitness test for today’s game. Robson said in the interview that “there are also one or two (players) that we will want to look after if we can”. Bearing in mind that the Bees have an important League Two game at home to Torquay United on Tuesday, that could mean that certain players will be rested for today’s game. We will have to wait and see. Come On You Bees!!