Martin Allen says that he is expecting a tough test from AFC Telford United on Saturday, as the bottom club come to The Hive to take on the league leaders.

Speaking ahead of the game, the Barnet manager acknowledged that it had been a difficult week following defeats in the league and cup against Torquay and Wycombe respectively, although the manager was quick to shoulder the blame himself:

“On reflection, I think it is fair to say that tactically I could have been better on Tuesday night. I think that the players gave everything they had that was left in their tank. I think I could have done more to help them with the way that we played.

“I think I need to do better to be honest. I would definitely put that defeat on Tuesday down to me. The players need more help and support from me to get that win after what was a massive exertion after Saturday.”

Barnet now have the chance to bounce back with a third home game in a row against AFC Telford United, although Martin is taking nothing for granted against a side who scored a last-minute equaliser to draw 2-2 with the Bees back in September:

“As we all know, you would have to be mad to think that any game is going to be easy. Telford have just won two of the last three games that they have played.

“We have had them watched recently. A friend of mine went to watch them play. They are a decent side and a decent outfit and I think now they are really settling in and settling down and as we all know, every game is a tough game.”

Following a tricky week that has seen the Bees lose back-to-back games for the first time this season, albeit in different competitions, Martin finished by urging everybody to refocus their energies as Barnet look to continue with their promotion push:

“Having reviewed the moments and the incidents from that Wycombe game we can’t dwell on it, we can’t sleep on it and we can’t think about it. We have got to get our head down and get the job done.

“We have seen quite a few teams challenge us at the top of the league and then fade away and we have managed to just keep going and going and grind it out and keep moving forward.

“The important thing is now the league, and we have got to get everyone’s focus within our squad, and our staff and even our supporters – everybody’s focus must be on the league and these challenges that now lie ahead of us.”