Emm

Barnet recap.

After a good November, Barnet have again started to struggle. They have won only 1 of 5 league games in the last month and now find themselves 22nd in a league of 24. They are currently in contract talks with a winger who is currently playing in the Conference National having agreed a figure of £250,000 with his club. They currently hve 21 players at the club who can play in wide midfield positions :eek:. I would have thought that the way forward was to utilise some of these before bringing in any more. First choice keeper Paul Jones has missed the last 2 games through injury and may be out for a further 2 weeks. Also injured is key midfielder Jordan Fitzpatrick, who will be out for a further 2 weeks. Top goal-scorer Ramon Calliste has been doing his bit. He has contributed 13 goals and even bagged his first 2 senior goals for the Welsh National team. Ramon is suspended for the next game which is the FA Cup 3rd Round tie against Sheffield Utd. Also unavailable is Bobby Walsh (on loan from Luton) who has contributed 11 goals, but is not allowed to play in cup games under the term of his loan agreement. The Bees haven't got a hope in hell without their 2 primary strikers. Their cup run could be over :thdn:.

Emm

Next up is Merthyt Tydfil, another team struggling near the bottom of the table. I rotate my squad slightly, but keep key players such as Eyre, Jackson, Miller, Hughes Snr, and Jones in the starting line up. It's a bore draw I'm afraid and despite really bossing the game, we can't find a way past the home keeper.

Now Alfreton have offered me the job as manager. They are offering me a 1 year contract on less money than I am on now. They're 2nd bottom of Conference North are in the middle of an injury crisis and on the verge of going into receivership. No way am I joining them.

Adam Hall has signed a new contract with us. The 23 year old right sided winger has played in 22 games this season, scoring 1 goal and creating 5 others. I've persuaded him to sign a 5 year deal on £20 per week less than he was on before.

Nicky Eyre our 29 year old keeper who has been an ever present in the team this season has signed a new long term contract. He has agreed to take a basic wage cut of £125 per week on the basis that the same amount is incorporated into a clean sheet bonus. I was more than happy to oblige.

The contract of 31 year old Centre back Joe Bruce is due to expire in 6 months time. Although he is only paid £35 pw, I feel that we need to concentrate our resources on players for the future. Joe has played 221 league games for Grays but will not be offered an extension to his current contract.

Big Tony Jackson is keen to sign a new contract. I think I will wait till later in the season to decide on this one. Although the 21 year old defender is a big lad at 6'4", I also think he's a bit soft.

Lee Lock, 17 year old right winger has been released by the club. He wasn't figuring in my plans and I saw no reason to keep him on the books. Lee played 6 times last season but hasn't impressed me at all.

Emm

January 2015.

With some players being released and others being offered new contracts, I also manage to bring another player in on loan. Again he's a Barnet player and again I have agreed to pay no wages at all during his stay. Paul Bennett is a 22 year old Welshman who notched up 14 U21 caps and 3 U21 goals while at the Bees. He can play up front but his preferred position is wide on the right. He is a product of the man Utd youth system but moved at an early age to Underhill where he is in his 6th season. He has played in 2 league games this season already, and 19 in total in his career, creating 1 assist. In addition he has featured in 5 cup games. He will join us to the end of the season and will immediately become first choice right winger and goes into the starting lineup against Hampton & Richmond.

We fail in our bid to collect all 3 points at Hampton & Richmond, and in the end are lucky to come away with anything at all. Gary Leach puts us ahead after 25 minutes after a glorious ball by young Gary Peters. We self destruct after the break though, as Dave Adams slams the ball into the net from close range. The only problem was that it was our net :eek:. In an effort to to give away all 3 points, Chris Charles is sent off for a professional foul in the area with 5 minutes remaining and a penalty is awarded. Nicky Eyre was up to the task and saved another penalty to leave us with a share of the spoils.

Paul Bennett had a pretty impressive debut on the right. 4 key rackles, 5 from 5 tackles, 11 from 13 headers, 4 mazy runs and even a shot on target. The boy done good.

With the success of my raid on Barnet's Reserve squad fresh in my mind, and Bennett's excellent debut, I decide to go sniffing back to Underhill and see what other gems I can unearth. Francis Mead is another Welshman. He brings the Welsh contingent at The Rec to 4 and adds a wealth of experience at U21 level, having collected an impressive 31 U21 caps and 6 U21 goals before his 22nd birthday last year. He's a real utility player and can play anywhere accross the back, and anywhere in midfield bar the left. At Barnet I saw him mainly as a defensive midfielder, but here he immediately becomes a first choice centre back. Francis has featured 30 times in the league for the Bees, as well as 5 cup games after joining in 2011 in a £12,000 deal from Bradford City. He signed for Bradford on a free after coming through the ranks at Cardiff.

I have an excellent relationship with all 4 of the Barnet loan players and have no doubt that this played a part in their decision to join us on loan.

Emm

Recent loan signing Paul Bennett opens his account for us in only his 2nd game to give us the lead against struggling Sutton Utd. We really start strongly and but for the excellence of their keeper, could be 2 or 3 up within half an hour. It finishes 1-0 though and we have another 3 points to add to our tally.

We are back on our travels and on our way to Gravesend who find themselves in 16th position in the league. Peter Jones grabs a brace in the first half hour before they Morgan gives them a channce to reduce the defecit from the spot. A rare Eyre mistake allows them to make it all square at 2-2 with 20 minutes to play and that's how it stays.

My frustration at dropping 2 points isn't helped by the news that both striker Gary Peters and full back Gary White finished the game injured.

Against Tiverton, again on our travels, a Peter Jones double either side of half time looked like securing us the points, but the withdrawal of Keeper Nicky Eyre through injury, meant that Adam Hall took the gloves and a position between the sticks for much of the 2nd half, rather than his usual berth on the right wing. The home side pulled one back and injuries to both Paul Bennett and Peter Jones meant that the game was given a tense finale. We hung on to secure the win, and much credit must go to stand in keeper Adam Hall. Although normally a winger, Adam is one of the best outfield players that I have seen play in goal. I am glad that I had him on the bench.

The afternmath of the Tiverton game sees us go back to the top of the table for the first time since September, but also sees influential keeper Nicky Eyre sidelined for about a month with a twisted ankle. The only other keeper that I have on the books is 16 year old Jonathan Briggs who has yet to make his senior debut. He's conceded a whopping 35 goals in 24 Reserve games this season, and if I'm honest, is never going to make it as a pro. He's all I've got at the moment though so unless I can bring someone in on the hurry up, he will start against Billericay next week. I have 4 long term loan signings at the club. I'm not sure if this means I can also bring in 4 short termers or if it's 4 in total. I'll have to look into it because needs must.

The league rules state that it is only 4 long term loans in any season, only 8 short term loans in a season and only 4 short term loans at any time. I think I can bring in another loanee :thup:.

Richard Wright is out of favour at League 2 Fulham and is stagnating in the Reserves. He is listed for sale but not loan. Although he is 37, he is just what the doctor ordered. I've made contact and am awaiting a response from both club and player.

Emm

Listed for loan are 22 year old Oldham stopper Gary Kelly and 23 year old David Tomlinson based at lower league Redditch.. Neither has quite the ability I was looking for, but to be honest I think I have to remember that we are playing in the Conference South. Who was I expecting, Pat Jennings ? Both have been approached. I've also sent a scout to see if I can have a look at them training while awaiting their decision. I don't know a lot about them and it would be good to know who to pick if they both agree to come.

Emm

Barnet utility defender Ryan Robson who has been dubbed the new Jamie Carragher is being looked at by a number of big clubs. Barnet have received bids in excess of £1,1000.000 from 5 clubs. Surely, with the player already valued at £800,000 and still on a long term contract they will either hold out for a really big offer or just dismiss these offers out of hand. The player is not keen to leave so what is the hurry. Borrows has really lost the plot if he lets this little gem go. It seems as if he is having a bit of a clear-out anyway. Adam Eckersley has been allowed to join fellow league 1 side Oldham for a paltry £55,000. Eckersley has made 272 league appearances for the Bees during a 9 year stay at the club after I enticed him away from Old Trafford. Dion Dickhoff, the 29 year old Dutch utility player, that I signed in 2013 from Championship side Blackburn, could be on his way too. Dutch club ADO Den Haag have made an offer of £800,000 and are being allowed to discuss a contract with the player. Struggling Championship side Watford have also tabled a bid, £600,000. I have to admit that I would sell Dion. Although he has been playing regularly, Borrows has other options and at 29, he is not going to get any more money for him. Another bit of Barnet news that I agree with is striker Steven Gillespie being offered a years extensionn to his current contract which expires at the end of this season. With Bobby Walsh now having returned to Luton, Gillespie will be playing a key role.

Emm

The clubs of all 3 keepers that I am interested in have accepted my loan offer. Obviously I would prefer Wright if I had the choice. Interestingly, Kelly is also the subject of a loan offer from lower league Ossett Town. They've got a bloomin cheek. They've already got a decent keeper .

Emm

Richard Wright has turned us down flat. I'n not too surprised. Dave Tomlinson has agreed to join us for 3 months from Redditch and will go straight into the starting line-up against Billericay. Kelly has also decided that he will join us and although I tempted to cancel the deal as Tomlinson is already here, the addeed protection that a 2nd keeper gives us is worth the effort.

Emm

I'm glad that I do sign Kelly as he seems to definately have the edge over Tomlinson. In addition, he's more experienced having played 4 times in League 1 this season already, (keeping 3 clean sheets in the process). With the introduction of Kelly to the starting line-up, we now have 5 loan players in the match squad to face Billericay. While it's against my principles of improving young talent, needs must at the moment. We are unbeaten in 10 matches in the league and I am keen to extend that record. The match also marks a record for Mark Hughes Snr who is set to make his 200th career league appearance.

Gary Ashton plays on the left for Billericay and caused us no end of problems in our previous game. I will be keeping a close eye on him as the game progresses. We start with a real fire in our bellies and create 5 chances in the opening 5 minutes. Only one shot beats the visiting keeper and the referee rules that out for off-side. We don't have long to wait though and Chris Matthews converts from the spot for his 4th of the season with only 10 minutes gone. We double our lead on the half hour when Hughesy Snr cracks one in from the edge of the area. We look in control but Billericay catch us cold with an excellent counter-attack and Gary Kelly fails to save their only shot of the match . We score again just before half time, with Matthews this time turning provider for Jones to slam home his 15th goal of the season. Jones grabs his 2nd to make it 4-1 as we rampage forward in the 2nd half. Only the excellence of their keeper stops us from posting a cricket score as our strikers really hit form.


Our recent run of form has meant that my players are attracting the interest of bigger clubs. I am also the topic of much speculation and I am approached by a journalist who tells me that League 2 Wycombe Wanderers have dispensed with the services of their current manager and are actively seeking a replacement. It is suggested that I am odds-on favourite to take the job and he would like my comment on the situation. I tell him that I am just at the beginning of a hopefully very long and fruitful journey with Grays, and that I would not be interested in the Wycombe job.

The Grays board are delighted that I have reaffirmed my commitment to the club by refuting my interest in the vacancy at Wycombe :thup:.

Emm

********NEWSFLASH******** 26th January 2015.

BOLTON SIGN ROBSON

Bolton have signed Barnet's Ryan Robson for a fee of £1,400,000.

Robson started his career at Underhill, making 57 appearances over 4 years before moving to The Trotters.