Dick Schreuder stated the need for focus following Barnet’s 1-2 win over Forest Green Rovers.

The win sealed Barnet’s fifth consecutive win and maintained Schreuder’s and Uli Landvreugd’s one hundred per cent record since taking charge. 

Speaking to Barnet Player the joint head-coach explained it is always nice to score an early goal but revealed the way the players held their focus was even more satisfying.

“It is always good when you score first in the opening minute but after that, sometimes you could see we were struggling. I don’t think we played so well on the ball in the first half but in the second half it was a lot better.”

“At half-time we said you have to stay calm because there was an altercation between the players on the pitch [just before the break] and they were a little bit confused by that and maybe they had anger in them so we wanted them to stay calm.”

He continued:  “Overall I think they did that a lot better in the second half and I think maybe we would have scored a third goal if we had been better in the final third with the end pass. But overall we are happy.”

Schreuder also revealed that despite leading at half-time the coaching staff demanded improvement on the ball in order to exploit their opponents and kill the game. 

“We told them at half-time to keep the ball more and for longer because it gives you more time and opportunity to pass better.

“You saw in the first-half we were struggling but their fitness went down in the second period and we started to play a lot more.”

He added: What we need to do now is do that in the first 45 and exploit teams because fitness-wise we look very good.”

Post-match compliments flowed from jubilant Bees and impressed home supporters and although Schreuder admitted it is always nice to hear it comes as no surprise to the Dutchman. 

“We have heard that already this season after games which we lost. It is nice that they say that but overall it is about what we think about our performances and we have to be critical to each other.

“I think that [the fans’ comments] are a big compliment for the group and the team but for me it is not a surprise because I see it every day on the pitch.”

“We have put ourselves in the picture again and it is in our own hands now.”

The only mark on an otherwise superb night for the club was a hamstring injury to Jake Hyde. Schreuder admitted it would be a big blow to lose the forward but revealed positive news with regards to Luima Villa’s fitness. 

“We don’t know the seriousness of Jake’s injury but we hope it will not be for too long because we need him to try and get in the play-offs.

“Luisma’s injury is not as serious as we first believed. He will be out for around five weeks but even though it is better than eight we need to see how it goes, right now he needs to rest.”