Barnet goalkeeper Graham Stack was in an optimistic mood following the Bees’ 1-1 draw against Braintree Town on Tuesday night.
Following the game at Cressing Road in which the Bees saw an early lead slip before half-time, Stack said that there was still much for the team to feel positive about:
“Seven points from three games, two of them away – you’d probably have to look at that and say it’s not bad. We stay unbeaten away from home, we continue this run and we keep momentum going.
“I know they finished around the play-offs last season but they are much improved. I was impressed with them and thought that they worked very hard. On reflection you would have to be happy with a point as they are not a bad side at all.
“But I think that shows how far we’ve come – to come to Braintree and be 1-1 with a few minutes remaining but still be pushing to get a winning goal.
“It is another game ticked off and another game unbeaten. We are pleased to still be unbeaten away from home and that is something we’ve got to try and keep going as long as possible.”
Stack was full of praise for goalscorer John Akinde, who leapt to the top of Barnet’s goal-scoring charts with a thumping header after just twelve minutes – his seventh goal of the season:
“John is key. He is an absolute powerhouse and a centre-half’s nightmare. He is quick, strong, powerful and knows where the goal is as we have all seen this season.
“He could have got a second goal tonight with a good chance that has just gone wide of the post in the first half.
“He is scoring goals at will at the minute, both in open play and from the spot so I’m delighted for him because he works ever so hard. He has been outstanding this season and that will give him a lot of confidence.”
Yet despite the draw the player-coach maintained that the squad have got all of the right ingredients to maintain their strong start to the season and consolidate their place at the top:
“This season we have got a squad and a group of players that have really brought into the gaffer’s work ethic and way of playing.
“We press, we are physical, we are organised and we set ourselves up to go and win games away from home.
“We are still two points clear and there will be a lot of swings throughout the season.”
