Martin Allen was delighted with the efforts of his entire squad on Saturday as they rounded off a busy week with a 1-0 win against Eastleigh at The Hive.
Speaking after the game, the manager said he was pleased with the win that takes his side five points clear at the top of the Vanarama Conference table, even if the margin of victory could perhaps have been a little wider:
“It was a very good win. We have played away at Forest Green and then Braintree on Tuesday. We have tried to utilise everybody in our squad and everybody has played a real part in winning seven points in three games. That has been a pretty good tally for the club.
“We did have several other good opportunities in the final third but we never managed to finish it off. As in all games, there was bound to be a couple of tricky moments near the end, but they defended valiantly and stood their ground – I am very proud of them all, once again.
“They all played their part in defending and restricting the opposition to very few chances. And when they did get through it was offside – which has come from work on the training pitch, which is good work from the defenders.
“The bottom line is the referee has blown the whistle, we have won 1-0 and we have got three points in the bag. You wake up tomorrow morning and that is three points on our total and that is the long-term aim: to get as many of those as possible.
“I had no idea we were five points clear, but I suppose that is pretty good. There is a long way to go. I am sure all our supporters were relieved to get that win.”
Although full of praise for his entire squad, Martin did single out the performances of some individuals, including goal scorer Sam Hoskins, Mauro Vilhete who was named as Man of the Match on his first start after returning from injury, and Elliott Johnson who impressed in the unfamiliar position of central midfield:
“Sam is a great lad: he is quick, gets in behind and he has got that knack of scoring goals. You have got to say that is a very good loan signing, by the manager!
“They were all superb; every one of them played their part. If I had to pick one out – and I don’t normally do it – after coming back from injury and working so hard to get back in the team, and he has been an integral part of getting us to the top of the league and I would have to say Mauro. I thought he was outstanding.
“Elliott has played there twice and we have won twice. He has got good legs, he has got good energy, he’s a good passer of the ball, he is good in the air, he is tenacious, he broke forward really well in the first half and nearly got into the box for a couple of good scoring opportunities. He is tenacious in the tackle, he is young, he is enthusiastic and he is Barnet.
“He is Barnet and the supporters love it. He is Barnet through-and-through and it is great to have those types of players that have been brought through the youth system that I am able to use.”
Martin is now looking ahead to tomorrow night’s game which sees the Bees head to Macclesfield, and the manager is promising changes as Barnet look to keep their unbeaten run going:
“I have told the players that there are going to be changes for Tuesday night and they had better get ready to play because different players are going to come in and play and we need to freshen it up again, because we need a high-energy performance away at Macclesfield.
“We have not got any lightweights and we have not got anybody that won’t do the job for the team. And that is the loan signings, the subs; everybody in our squad.”
