The Barnet squad travelled north this afternoon after a morning training session at The Hive in preparation for tomorrow’s League 2 fixture against Bradford City. One notable absentee was Mark Byrne.
Head Coach Mark Robson said on the eve of the fixture, “Considering our league position, morale is high and determination to succeed is even greater than ever before.
“The mood in the camp is one where everybody wants to do better.”
The squad has been augmented of late by new signings John Oster, David Stephens, loan signing Krystian Pearce and Graham Stack. Mark Robson commented, “The new players have settled in very well and have enhanced our squad, having watched them train they have bought a positive effect on the team and we now have players competing for places.”
The Bees will be looking for their first victory of the season against a team that currently sit in 14th place having won both of their home games this season, conceding just one goal whilst finding the back of the net six times.
It will be interesting to see how the Bees line-up, particularly in defence with Pearce having trained with his new team mates for the first time this morning.
If skipper Jon Fortune has returned to fitness and Jack Saville, who has travelled, are both available Mark Robson’s selection of the two centre-backs will be a difficult one with the signing of Pearce and the steady debut made by David Stephens last week against Gillingham.
John Oster, a late substitute last week, will have got a week’s training under his belt and he too could be pushing for a place in the starting XI. It was immediately apparent that the ex-Everton midfielder had ability on the ball and the question uppermost in Mark Robson’s mind could be whether he has attained the necessary fitness levels to start.
Mark Robson concludes, “I really feel we are moving in the right direction, we will be looking for our first win tomorrow at Bradford and once we get that the team will go from strength to strength.”
If you are unable to make the trip to see the Bantams take on the Bees Barnet Player will be doing its level best to bring the match action to you. Unfortunately Karl Bates will not be able to make this match.
