Paul Beasley

BARNET

Ok, I did nip in the Olde Mitre this time as I was wearing a suit, having driven to Underhill straight from work. I can kind of see why the landlord wants home fans only (this actually means no away fans) because the pub was full of locals, who I’m sure had no intention of trotting along to the match. The Lord Nelson is much the better pub though, imho. It boasts a large cruet set collection, and not many pubs can say that. Anyway, on to the football as I suppose I have to. I just knew there would be a bit of the “we were unlucky” and “how did that not go in” in the aftermath of this game. I also knew this would be coming from the non-attendees. The impression I got as I left the ground was that those actually there felt we deserved no more than a draw. I for one certainly did. Given how poor Barnet still were, even though it was their first team this time, I felt totally deflated as I departed the rain sodden stadium. Well, it’s hardly a stadium but it had pissed down in mighty fashion all night. So well done lads – great draw. If it hadn’t been for the downpour …. No I’m not even contemplating excuses any more. Excuses ignore the real issues. Excuses are helping send us one way only and it’s not in the right direction. The game actually started quite brightly despite the opened heavens. Both sides looked as if they were going for it. We, unsurprisingly, took the more measured approach. Of the two teams we kept the ball better. The Bees were more direct and played with greater tempo. You could say they made a bee line for our goal whist the U’s were more for turning and going backwards. (Right that’s the terrible puns done with).

Before the game had really settled down it was one a piece. We’d yet again conceded from a corner. This time a flick from well beyond the near post undid us. Jake Wright was possibly our best player on the night and the now sadly (temporarily?) departed John Mullins has been one of our best recent performers; yet we still regularly concede such goals. Our immediate reply came from a long throw into the box which we won in the air. Beano then set up, whether intentional or not, another of the few who are doing the business, Sean Rigg.

The quality of the game deteriorated but that didn’t matter much as we got a second at the start of the second half. Andy Whing’s header was almost a carbon copy of Barnet’s opener.

But we weren’t even good enough to beat one of the worst sides in the league. And let’s be honest about this, that’s because we are one of the worst sides too.

Whingy in his full back duties was struggling a bit and it became noticeable that Alfie Potter was helping him out more and more particularly after JPP had replaced Simon Heslop on the hour. This all but gave the midfield to Barnet. Peter Leven was good with the dead ball but otherwise little use to us and there’s no hiding from the fact that Chappy isn’t on great form at the moment.

When the equaliser arrived there was no midfield closing down. Chapman was so easily beaten on the left hand side of the box he might as well have been with Hezza in the showers. Whing then for some reason raised a leg to let the ball through and Mullins wasn’t able to get it away either. It wasn’t that we didn’t have men back it was that they were just so ineffective.

The rest of the game became even more depressing. To watch our lack of forward movement and understanding hurts so much. You’d sometimes think that they had never had a day’s coaching in their lives.

WHAT WOULD IT TAKE?

For me to believe that Chris Wilder is still the man for the job. Best do some analysis. Top seven for a play-off slot was the absolute minimum at the start of the season. Over the last five seasons on average a total of 72 points was required for such a finish. We’ve got 21 points from 19 games. That leaves 51 to get with 27 games to go at a rate of 1.9 (call it 2) points per game. That’s two wins out of every three games. It ain’t going to happen is it? Best do the deed now then. But on the bright side the rate we are currently gathering points should keep us up – JUST. Unless there’s a fluke season like 2005/06 and we bloody well know what happened then.

NORTHAMPTON

The above was obviously written before Saturday. I could have changed it but I’ve got the balls to leave it as it is. It took me a long time to become of a mind that we needed a change. So I’m not going to be swayed by one great result. It’s the overall body of evidence that has been gathered over the years that is informing me.

Having said that, this was the best we have played for ages and for the first time this season we have beaten a pretty good side. Well that’s what they looked like to me. Of the changes made two were definite improvements. There’s no doubt in my mind that Jake Forster Caskey and Lee Cox (both on loan) are better footballers than the permanent employees, Adam Chapman and Simon Heslop . Regarding the other change, this time enforced, I wasn’t quite as concerned as some. I don’t think Michael Raynes is as bad as some have made out or John Mullins, much as I rate him, quite as good.

This was a proper enjoyable game of football. Having away supporters in number making a noise obviously helps to create a vibrant atmosphere. Compare and contrast with the visit of the Daggers. Fair play to those behind making the day, “Ultimate Support Saturday”. Given this badging I was disappointed that we didn’t hit the 7k mark but with the weather being what it was and our dismal form, probably not surprising. Personally I want every home game to be “ultimate support day” because the product on offer sells itself.

Northampton came to play. I’m always fascinated by Adebayo Akinfenwa. I’ve never seen a player his size and shape before and never seen a footballer move like him. But he’s very good at what he does. To look at him you wouldn’t think he’s got the quality of touch that he has and he’s one of the best around at laying the ball perfectly into the path of his team mates. And with Chris Hackett’s pace they were always going to be a threat. With them playing we were able to play too. It helps as we rarely have answers when we are up against those that don’t want to play.

I am now going to contradict myself and say that we were unlucky not to be more than one up at half time. Not only had we hit the woodwork twice and had one scrambled off the line we had genuinely looked the better of two decent outfits. The goal came when Beano had an easy tap in following a Potter pass. “Off-side”, yelled the travelling Cobblers and they were more in line than I. A few Northampton players did raise their hands but their protests were less vociferous. On the day I thought that Alfie had got to the by line and pulled the ball back. He hadn’t. The angle captured for the Football League Show isn’t great but having run it through in slo-mo a few times my conclusion is it was too close to call.

I was at a loss to know why, ten minutes into the second half, JFC was replaced by JPP. I thought this, and it’s nothing new, gave control of the middle of the park to the opposition. It was no surprise to me when they equalised about a quarter of an hour later. The goal was well worked with Clive Platt’s header easily beating Ryan Clarke.

They were looking the more likely winners now but perhaps we are made of sterner stuff after all. On 79 minutes Leven played a ball of such quality that it seemed to leave the entire Oxford team in an on-side position beyond the Cobblers back line. The only question being who would be the man in yellow to have the shot at goal. It was JPP. (What do I know?). Not only did he have a shot at goal but burst the net.

There was still time for the experienced Clarke Carlisle to be sent off for blocking one run too many (or did little Alfie run into him?) and us to bring on Harry Worley and see out the game almost comfortably.

WHAT NEXT?

This win has obviously provided a little boost but to propel us where we want to be we need constant and bigger boosts than this.

What better than victory at Accrington and then one of those FA Cup third round draws that gets people talking and interested again. It’s about time we had a big cup match.

Michael Duberry is allegedly not that far away. Doom merchant that I am I thought I’d never see him play again. What a boost it would be to see him back and on last year’s form. I don’t know what’s wrong with me but I’ve come over slightly optimistic. That’s what a decent win does for you.