In the latest of our series of Barnet players recently released by the club, we look at Nicky Deverdics. Deverdics arrived at Barnet in the summer of 2008 from Scottish club, Gretna who had recently gone bust.
Bees’ manager, Paul Fairclough told the Bees’ fans that Deverdics would be an important signing for the season; a season which, it was said, would bring a strong promotion push by the team.
Deverdics was on the bench for the opening match against Chesterfield at Underhill but came on as a late substitute in a disappointing 3-1 defeat. However, Nicky was injured in this match and missed the next seven matches. By the time he returned for the home match with Bury, the Bees were out of the Carling Cup and the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy and had taken just one point from six matches in a quite dreadful start to the season.
After that, Deverdics was in and out of the side under Fairclough, though he did manage to score his first goal for Barnet, a fine shot from outside of the penalty area in the 1-1 home draw with Wycombe. Having built Deverdics up on his arrival, it was strange that Fairclough didn’t start Deverdics more regularly, but, despite this, Deverdics’ elegant skills had made him a firm favourite with a rather baffled East Terrace.
Following Fairclough’s resignation at the end of 2008, Deverdics’ situation didn’t immediately improve under new manager, Ian Hendon and it was not until injuries to first, new arrival, Mark Hughes and then to Joe Devera that Nicky established himself in the centre of midfield alongside Neal Bishop, coming into the side for the 4-1 hammering of Bradford City that began a run that saw the Bees climb the League Two table to safety. His popularity with the home fans was shown when he was voted most improved player of the season by the supporters.
If Deverdics had not been used to his potential during his first season at Underhill, then he was no more than a bit part player last season to the continued bemusement of the Barnet fans. The Bees started the season well and by early September were top of League Two with Mark Hughes and Micah Hyde in the two central midfield positions so it was maybe not unexpected that Deverdics might have to bide his time, but even later on in the year as the Barnet’s form deteriorated and the team went into freefall, Deverdics rarely got a start in the side from Ian Hendon. When he did get a fleeting chance he generally looked comfortable as in the 3-0 home win over Darlington where Nicky scored the Bees’ second goal, sliding his shot into the corner of the net after being put through by Albert Adomah and contributing to Yannick Bolasie’s goal that made it 3-0.
Deverdics’ last start for the club was in the replayed 2nd round FA Cup tie with Accrington at Underhill and after that he made only the odd substitute appearance for the club. His potential was never really realized at Barnet and it will be interesting to see how he does at another club if he is really given a chance to show off his skills. Barnet fans will be sorry to see him leave but will have long become resigned to his departure.
Nicky Deverdics’ playing record at Barnet:
|
|
STARTS |
SUB APPEARANCES |
GOALS |
|
LEAGUE |
26 |
19 |
2 |
|
FA CUP |
2 |
3 |
|
|
JPT |
1 |
|
|
|
TOTAL |
29 |
22 |
2 |