Barnet v Northampton

[EricSabin]

Haven't won plays haven't lost on Tuesday. Barnet away isn't normally a good place for us to go as they seem to have an Indian sign over us, but hopefully we can get a solid result. Expect a few changes to be made, hopefully Zander Diamond will be fit after coming off yesterday.

Expect a healthy amount of Cobblers to travel, maybe 1,000 at a push. Think we'll be too strong for Barnet on this occasion, 2-1 Teyn but it won't be easy

 

[BeeSting]

We won't score, haven't got any creativity. If your defenders can stand up against Akinde (he's bullied pretty much every defence he's come up against) then we won't even have half chances.

 

[Urban]

You'll win.

Next. Oh shit, no wait it's Bristol away. Erm... When do the easy games start?

 

[HertsCobbler]

You'll win.

Next. Oh shit, no wait it's Bristol away. Erm... When do the easy games start?

I seem to remember playing you 3 seasons ago - in October 2012. You were bottom after 12 game with 3 points and no wins and you thumped us 4:0.

We are the gift that keeps giving - in our last 5 visits to Barnet (ok it was Underhill) - 3 of them you have scored 4 times! One was a 0-0 draw and one we nicked it late on.

If Barnet need to end a bad run - call NTFC

 

[Urban]

I seem to remember playing you 3 seasons ago - in October 2012. You were bottom after 12 game with 3 points and no wins and you thumped us 4:0.

We are the gift that keeps giving - in our last 5 visits to Barnet (ok it was Underhill) - 3 of them you have scored 4 times! One was a 0-0 draw and one we nicked it late on.

If Barnet need to end a bad run - call NTFC

Yeah, we got relegated that season though!

Just not looking nice for us at the moment especially with the run of games we've got lined up, and the rate at which they're coming. I can see us being well into September absolutely bereft of confidence as well as creativity.

A tired Barnet stumble their way towards another 0-2 defeat. Roll on 26th September for when the Daggers visit, we might score one then.

 

[hellogregory]

Don't worry Barnet, if you still haven't picked up anything, at least your visit up north is only a few weeks away now. Always a guaranteed 3 points for you.

 

[WSBee]

Don't expect much from us Cobblers, on the attendance and performance front.

2,500 with 1,000 Cobblers - poor but it is Barnet.

I expect a closely fought game with superior finishing to put the game to bed - 2-0 Northampton.

 

[EricSabin]

We won't score, haven't got any creativity. If your defenders can stand up against Akinde (he's bullied pretty much every defence he's come up against) then we won't even have half chances.

We've got a giant in Cresswell at centre half

 

[BeeSting]

So is Hangeland but he had him all over the place in our pre-season game, it's all about he manages him.

 

[EricSabin]

So is Hangeland but he had him all over the place in our pre-season game, it's all about he manages him.

Sounds like it will be a key battle then. Wonder also how you'll deal with our nippy, swarming attacking midfielders.

 

[BeeSting]

Knowing Cresswell, he'll probably throw an elbow and get sent off (hopefully). Well we know all about Holmes, on his day he's unplayable.

 

[EricSabin]

He's been on the bench for the first two as he gradually gets up to full speed after injury. Has come on and looked really bright in his cameos so far. Potter, D'Ath, Adams, Holmes and O'Toole really is a great line up of attacking midfielders for this level, could start with any of them really.

I'll be down on the 2pm rattler on Tuesday, really looking forward to it

 

[LordJord]

Looking forward to this one! Missed out on Brizzle away so first away league game of the season for me. Confience can be taken from the excellent start we have had. Would be concerned if Diamond is out and Mcdonald has to start. Would mean that with Maloney, Horwood and Diamond out we have no back up defenders at all. I wonder if Holmes might start tomorrow, Potter and Adams got through a lot of work against Exeter.

At least it will be better than my last trip to Barnet. 4 Hour journey to get from Northampton to Barnet on a Friday night because of the M25, ran 2 miles across Barnet to still miss 5 mins of the game. Lose 4-0 to a Barnet side featuring Edgar Davids that had lost 6 or 7 straight. Pissed it down with rain. Tried to run down the big hall outside underhill, got to much speed and fell over meaning I rolled down half of it with the other latecomers shouting WAAAAAAANKER as I dusted myself off.

If tomorrow is worse than that experience I will find the nearest hill to the Hive and fling myself down it for the amusement of those around me!

 

[LordJord]

Wilder just said in his presser that Diamond probably wont be ready for tomorrow. Rod Macdonald will make his full league debut in that case. Rod Macdonald at the Hive EIEIO!

 

[EricSabin]

I remember that 4-0 game, rushed out of college with a mate to get the train and got to the ground in plenty of time. 5 minutes before kick off there was only about 100 Cobblers fans there, but after 10 minutes of the game there was close to 1,000!

Also remember winning 2-1 at Barnet under Johnson, 25 degrees in October, terrace was absolutely sweltering.

Hope The Hive is good for atmosphere like Underhill was

 

[Mucca Mad Bee]

He's been on the bench for the first two as he gradually gets up to full speed after injury. Has come on and looked really bright in his cameos so far. Potter, D'Ath, Adams, Holmes and O'Toole really is a great line up of attacking midfielders for this level, could start with any of them really.

I'll be down on the 2pm rattler on Tuesday, really looking forward to it

Hopefully Martin Allen's wonder stroke of playing 3 holding midfielders and a right back on the wing will combat the threat of those attacking options.

 

[Mucca Mad Bee]

Hope The Hive is good for atmosphere like Underhill was

Not even close.

 

[LordJord]

Out of curiosity have many Barnet fans decided not to attend matches at the Hive due to it being outside of Barnet?

 

[BeesKnees]

Out of curiosity have many Barnet fans decided not to attend matches at the Hive due to it being outside of Barnet?

Due to our relegation the same season as the move has been very difficult to answer. My best guess would be around 5-10% of the support base. There are probably as many who go because it's the only way they can see their team but who are unhappy about it. It also seems the core support (those who come win\lose rain\shine) is largely unchanged at around 1000 and it's those who come less often that are more likely to be staying away. I know there are some that only go to away games at the moment.
There also seems to be a happy clapper brigade who think the Hive is the most amazing thing they've ever seen and they get right up my nose.

 

[Urban]

Due to our relegation the same season as the move has been very difficult to answer. My best guess would be around 5-10% of the support base. There are probably as many who go because it's the only way they can see their team but who are unhappy about it. It also seems the core support (those who come win\lose rain\shine) is largely unchanged at around 1000 and it's those who come less often that are more likely to be staying away. I know there are some that only go to away games at the moment.
There also seems to be a happy clapper brigade who think the Hive is the most amazing thing they've ever seen and they get right up my nose.

 

[BeesKnees]

 

[LordJord]

Fair enough, wondered how much of a different it would make as its not that far but I guess some people will always be funny about a move.

Any recommended boozers or eateries?

 

[EricSabin]

Spoons in Stanmore is where I'm headed Jord

 

[WSBee]

My theory on the number of fans we have lost:

I think that as a result of the move, we lost somewhere in the region of 400-500 fans, many of whom used to come regularly as families. I know of at least 20 people from my sixth form that used to watch Barnet regularly in the Underhill days, but now do not watch Barnet.

I'd also estimate that we have seen an influx of somewhere around 200 fans, hence the lower attendances - the gap left by fans who haven't followed the club to Harrow has not been plugged by prospective new fans from the area.

Suppose I'll see all you lot at the Spoons in Stanmore

 

[LordJord]

Spoons in Stanmore is where I'm headed Jord

Sounds like a plan! Cant go wrong with a spoons. Only 2 miles from the ground, hoping to find some free parking near the ground (unlikely I assume).

Any anger from the Barnet fans towards us as you went down at our place? Or just a case of it wasnt one game that sent you down?

 

[LordJord]

My theory on the number of fans we have lost:

I think that as a result of the move, we lost somewhere in the region of 400-500 fans, many of whom used to come regularly as families. I know of at least 20 people from my sixth form that used to watch Barnet regularly in the Underhill days, but now do not watch Barnet.

I'd also estimate that we have seen an influx of somewhere around 200 fans, hence the lower attendances - the gap left by fans who haven't followed the club to Harrow has not been plugged by prospective new fans from the area.

Suppose I'll see all you lot at the Spoons in Stanmore

Would of thought promoting the club in the new area would be high on the priority lists!

 

[EricSabin]

If you see two lads, both about 20, do not approach. They're fucking naughty geezers who'll kick your head in as soon as you look at them funny.

 

[LordJord]

If you see two lads, both about 20, do not approach. They're fucking naughty geezers who'll kick your head in as soon as you look at them funny.

Father time has not been kind to me, so if you see an overweight lad with a receding hair line in his mid 20's then buy him a beer and burger because of course he wants one.

 

[WSBee]

Any anger from the Barnet fans towards us as you went down at our place? Or just a case of it wasnt one game that sent you down?

Some were angry with the reaction of your fans to us going down, admittedly I have no idea what happened but apparently there's some historical background to it.

Would of thought promoting the club in the new area would be high on the priority lists!

Not according to the chairman or high-up staff - according to those living in close proximity to The Hive, there's been one or two leaflets through their doors in the last year. Pathetic.

If you see two lads, both about 20, do not approach. They're fucking naughty geezers who'll kick your head in as soon as you look at them funny.

You Northampton boys sound pwopa nawtyyyyyy. Approach with caution.

 

[EricSabin]

Haha Jord burgers are dead cheap in Spoons anyway!

And yeah we're all mentalists who love a scrap. (Spoiler alert: please leave me alone if you see me)