Barnet manager Martin Allen was disappointed by his team’s performance, in this afternoon’s narrow loss to Newport County at The Hive.

Speaking after the game, Martin said:

“It was a poor performance to be honest with you.

“There were far too many people not up to standard, and we can’t afford to carry those passengers.

“It’s been like that for a few weeks and we need to make some changes.

“I can put my finger on it, but that doesn’t mean that they’re going to win or that they’re going to play well.

“We need to work on things in training – repeat, repeat, repeat.

“We’ll certainly have to step up the work on the training pitch.

“We had a fantastic run, about seven games, where I thought that the team were excellent – in possession and out of possession. 

“But those standards that we had in that run have dipped – in possession and out of possession.

“We had a little shake-up, and it’s probably now time again for another shake-up.

“Certain key players, are not doing enough for our team.

“I’m not going to name them, but I don’t think you have to be a rocket scientist to work it out.”

One of the positives to come out of the game was a debut for young right back Hakeem Odoffin. 

Reflecting on his first appearance for the club, Martin said:

“He’s a good player – perhaps I should have played him earlier in the season. 

“He’s certainly one for the future, he’s only 17.

“I had no fear when it came to putting him into our team today.

“God bless him, I think he could have done with a lot more help from a lot of the other players on the pitch.

“I thought he played with great energy and enthusiasm in difficult circumstances.”