Tonight, Barnet travel to the Liberty Stadium to play Swansea City in the 1st round of the Carling Cup. Like with the b2net stadium last Saturday, it will be the first time that Barnet have played there, though they have played at Swansea in the past; at the Vetch Field.
Barnet are quite obviously the underdogs against a side that came close to promotion to the Premier League last season, but at least they will have nothing to lose. Swansea have lost their manager of last season, Paolo Sousa, to Leicester City and are now managed by former Reading & Watford manager, Brendan Rodgers, who after a torrid time at Reading, will be keen to repay Swansea’s faith in him.
On Saturday, Swansea lost 2-0 to Hull City, who were relegated from the Premier League last season. Included in the Swans’ side was former Barnet player, Mark Gower who played for the Bees between 2001 and 2003.
Barnet manager, Mark Stimson was pleased with the Bees’ opening day performance at Chesterfield, even if he was disappointed with the result. The main concern this week has been, of course, the injury to Steve Kabba and it will be a few days yet before the club will know the extent of Kabba’s injury. However, new physio, Simon Murphy, has told Mark Stimson that the injury is not as bad as it was first thought tobe, but clearly, Kabba will be missing from tomorrow’s line up. The question at the moment is whether or not, Kabba will be out for a prolonged period which might require Stimson trying to sign a striker on loan.
Meanwhile, Swansea have a number of players away on international duty, including first teamers, David Cotterill and Ashley Williams and squad players, David Cornell and Neil Taylor. However, promising midfield player, Joe Allen should be fit to play. One player who is unlikely to start is Scott Sinclair, who has signed from Chelsea for £500,000. The Premier League and Football league have yet to give the move the necessary clearance.
Four years ago, Barnet travelled to Cardiff at the same stage of the Carling Cup looking to have little chance of winning, but two Tresor Kandol goals gave the Bees a shock 2-0 win. It was the last time that Barnet won a Carling Cup match. Since then the Bees have gone out at the first stage each season and it does look as though this season, it will probably be the same. Barnet Mad is going for a 2-0 win for Swansea.