“It’s better to burn out, than to fade away.”
Neil Young.
That was my thought at Notts County and when hearing about our performance at Shrewsbury. We have a good side this season which is fulfilling expectations at home but which seems bafflingly toothless away from home. I’m sure it’s a mindset and one which may well move on after a very creditable draw away at Salford, who sit third in the table. I think we’re better than we think we are and could maybe be chasing three points rather than one away from home. Our away support this season has been magnificent and made its presence felt everywhere it’s gone. We wouldn’t mind the odd unlucky defeat if we had a few valiant victories to enjoy too. Barnet are excellent away from home and we have been much more ourselves on our own pitch so, barring a draw, something will have to give. I fancy us, especially if we have Appere back. He is going to be some player. I hope we see Jobe and Bennett too. As far as I can see, they are two of the best players in the division. Bennett’s crossing is a real threat to teams and Jobe has class and pace. We are so much better than last season and with a bit more belief I’m sure that we will start proving it. To be better than Salford is a real measure of where we are.
We have known about Barnet for many years. Indeed we played them in the Southern League and they came to prominence under some chap called Barry Fry. Remember him? He signed a few decent players, including Jimmy Greaves, probably the greatest goalscorer of all time, Terry Mancini, Bob McNab and Marvin Hinton . They were a kind of pre-retirement for a club but they have had great days in and out of the League. Much was promised when Edgar Davids became their player manager for a while but he didn’t do very well against us and left a short while later in a bit of a sulk. Dion Dublin and George Reilly played for them for a time and the Bees have a reputation for attacking flair. I used to love going to Underhill but since 2013 they have played at the Hive which is in another Borough, much to the chagrin of a number of traditionalist Barnet fans. It’s handy for the Tube but fairly featureless. Stadium design went that way for a while but fans get very attached to the grounds where they have always watched their teams-as we know ourselves. The Abbey may not be Wembley Stadium but we love it for its eccentricities and its history. The value of tradition is beyond measure.
Since 2009, we have had the better of our games. Barnet have won once and we have won 3. Today is harder to predict but may depend on which team makes the fastest start We do seem to play much better against good footballing teams and less well against those relying on physical force and the dark arts – so I’m hoping to be entertained and satisfied. Richard Money always liked to guarantee that. Finally, Stephens On Tour are involved in sponsoring today’s game so Habbin North will be a little quieter! This is to celebrate my brother Richard’s 70th birthday. Real fans support their team for a lifetime and the pain and the glory are etched in their most significant memories. He is one such and there will be many of us in the ground hoping, as we always do, that today will be our day.
Up the U’s!
Andrew