Post by brizzle on Mar 11, 2015 15:10:15 GMT
I thought out loud in the course of a recent post, what effect the signing of Chris Lines might have not only on Barnet (and the other promotion contenders of course), but also their supporters. In today's edition of the Bristol Post, the question may well have been answered . . .
MARTIN Allen has penned an open letter to supporters in a bid to get Barnet's faltering Vanarama Conference title bid back on track.
Barnet assumed top spot between the end of August and the end of February before they finally conceded what at one point was an 11-point lead to lose leadership to Bristol Rovers.
A 3-1 defeat at home to Forest Green Rovers on Saturday was Barnet's fifth defeat in nine games since the turn of the year and has persuaded Allen to issue a rallying call to dismiss fears that “the big clubs" and the “bigger spenders" can “take us".
“I'd like to share my thoughts and feelings after what has been a tricky and testing time for the players, staff, all of our supporters and of course myself," Allen wrote.
“After seven months of being top of this league we now find ourselves with nine games to go in second place after some performances that have seen us play well at times whilst also making a few errors here and there that have been punished.
A few decisions have also gone against us and the general feeling on and off the field is that the bigger clubs and big spenders can take us. I have had a long chat with the players and reminded each and every one of them that they are good players; that they are a good team and that with nine games to go it is in our hands.
“I reminded them that we played really well for an hour on Saturday and I reminded them what it was like her with all the supporters singing and chanting and appreciating their quality, their passion and their togetherness.
“We might not get seven thousand in and we can't pay mega wages but what we have done and what we have got is what has got us to the top of the league, and that is something very special.
“Money is available for new players like all of the other clubs that have been throwing it around, but I have told the Chairman that I have total faith in everyone in our squad.
“I told him that these are the players that got us to the top, that these are the players who have played a cup final every week and that these are the players who can fulfil all of our goals. So nobody will be joining.
“They are a tremendous group of people that train hard, who conduct themselves in the right way, and now they need to get their shoulders back, take a few deep breaths and show how good they are – and I think that your backing of all of our players is essential.
“I am very proud of the players, staff and supporters who have made the last seven months so special. Each and every one of us must give it everything that we have got, no ifs and buts. It is in our hands and we must all grab it."
It sounds to me as though Martin Allen may just be a little rattled, and he blinked first.
MARTIN Allen has penned an open letter to supporters in a bid to get Barnet's faltering Vanarama Conference title bid back on track.
Barnet assumed top spot between the end of August and the end of February before they finally conceded what at one point was an 11-point lead to lose leadership to Bristol Rovers.
A 3-1 defeat at home to Forest Green Rovers on Saturday was Barnet's fifth defeat in nine games since the turn of the year and has persuaded Allen to issue a rallying call to dismiss fears that “the big clubs" and the “bigger spenders" can “take us".
“I'd like to share my thoughts and feelings after what has been a tricky and testing time for the players, staff, all of our supporters and of course myself," Allen wrote.
“After seven months of being top of this league we now find ourselves with nine games to go in second place after some performances that have seen us play well at times whilst also making a few errors here and there that have been punished.
A few decisions have also gone against us and the general feeling on and off the field is that the bigger clubs and big spenders can take us. I have had a long chat with the players and reminded each and every one of them that they are good players; that they are a good team and that with nine games to go it is in our hands.
“I reminded them that we played really well for an hour on Saturday and I reminded them what it was like her with all the supporters singing and chanting and appreciating their quality, their passion and their togetherness.
“We might not get seven thousand in and we can't pay mega wages but what we have done and what we have got is what has got us to the top of the league, and that is something very special.
“Money is available for new players like all of the other clubs that have been throwing it around, but I have told the Chairman that I have total faith in everyone in our squad.
“I told him that these are the players that got us to the top, that these are the players who have played a cup final every week and that these are the players who can fulfil all of our goals. So nobody will be joining.
“They are a tremendous group of people that train hard, who conduct themselves in the right way, and now they need to get their shoulders back, take a few deep breaths and show how good they are – and I think that your backing of all of our players is essential.
“I am very proud of the players, staff and supporters who have made the last seven months so special. Each and every one of us must give it everything that we have got, no ifs and buts. It is in our hands and we must all grab it."
It sounds to me as though Martin Allen may just be a little rattled, and he blinked first.