Martin Allen rued the effects of FA Cup elimination against Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday as his Barnet side were beaten 3-2 by Torquay at The Hive on Tuesday in front of the BT Sport cameras.
Speaking after the game, the manager admitted that it had been a frustrating evening:
“After what I thought on Saturday was an outstanding team effort, I think it is fair to say that we never played with the energy that we have had for just about all the games so far this season.
“I think the players gave plenty of effort tonight, but it was frustrating for all of us, because they were just lacking a yard of pace and power. We never got going at the tempo and pace that our team plays at and then, it kind of looked laboured.
“It was frustrating to watch and after the game in the dressing room the players were very disappointed. What they do now need is our help.”
Martin also admitted that the effects of Saturday, with Barnet playing with ten men for the entire second half before losing Andy Yiadom late on, were clear to see on Tuesday:
“On Saturday they gave such an outstanding performance and did us all proud. They played with ten men for fifty minutes and I made some changes tonight to freshen it up and bring some fresh legs in because I was aware how tiring the game was on Saturday.
“We’ve got two quality players missing through suspension. I tried to freshen it up with some younger players and it has got to be said that it didn’t really click tonight.
“Perhaps I should have made more [changes]. It did not happen for us and there is always that possibility after such a big game that it is going to be a little bit leggy and flat-footed.”
“Torquay had not played for ten days and they looked fresh and full of spirit – the same spirit we normally have. You could say for some reason it was not there, the reason being, I would say, the game on Saturday took so much out of our players.”
Martin did state that he felt there were some positives to come out of the game as Barnet mounted a second-half fight back, with both Luisma Villa and new arrival Bernard Mensah scoring goals to get the Bees back in it:
“There are some positives. Some of our players have played well. I am sure some of the players will be delighted with the way they have played tonight, but all of us are disappointed with the result.
“Bernard, perhaps he was unlucky not to start tonight, but he is going to be a good player for this club. I have got fantastic reports from Alan Devonshire at Braintree about Bernard.”
Despite the defeat, Martin did reveal his pride at the way his players kept going and praised the resolve that has seen the Bees climb to the top of the table:
“I don’t think that there’s a Barnet supporter that has been to our games would disagree with me, there’s not even an argument really, when I say that the players that we have got here give everything that they have got.
“They are a fantastic group of players. They are honest and they have been tremendous all season. I think every Barnet supporters would say that they have given it their best shot, but they just did not have anything left in their tank tonight.”
