Martin Allen feels that today’s performance against Hartlepool United fell below the standards set by the Bees in recent weeks. 

Barnet have recorded impressive results against Portsmouth, Accrington Stanley, and Plymouth Argyle, but couldn’t secure a result at The Hive this afternoon.

Speaking after the match, Martin said:

“I thought it was a very good start from the team – we tried to get the ball down and play, and move the ball around the pitch.

“I thought we did that really well for 25 or 30 minutes.

“We’ve had some really good performances against some of the top teams in the last couple of weeks, but today we lacked energy, legs, athleticism and mobility after half an hour. 

“I thought that in general it was a little bit flat today – you could say it was case of ‘after the Lord Mayor’s show’, after the win against Plymouth and the draw against Accrington in the same week.

“After beating Portsmouth here too – the same spirit wasn’t within the group today. 

“The players have done really well recently, there’s no doubt about that.

“The performances have been really good.

“I freshened it up today, with a view to another game on Tuesday, then another one on Saturday. 

“Other players – who are all good players – deserved their chance to come in and play. 

“But it wasn’t to be; we didn’t have the high energy and tenacity that we play with, and we didn’t match up to them. 

“As the game went on they looked stronger, and much better physically and mentally – they overpowered us. 

“It wasn’t a very good performance today, but the last three performances have been extremely good. 

“These players have done really well and they’re a fantastic group.

“Obviously we’ll learn from what’s happened today, then we’ll take it into the next game on Tuesday. 

“There are always positives, and you’ve got to help the players rather than criticise them. 

“They’re a very conscientious group of professionals, they’re good people, and they’ve done really well for Barnet in our first season back in League Two. 

“I’ve got to help them and support them now.

“Fumnaya Shomotun’s come in and scored a brilliant goal, and Maty Stevens nearly scored at the end with a header.

“There were some good individual performances, but on the day there weren’t enough of them.”