Barnet forum

Both to be honest.

I rarely see people claiming our support is that big. It's more a case of us taking the p*ss out of how small their support is.

Barnet have been found out. Kick and rush football. If Akinde doesn't perform then it's game over. Very satisfying today. Allen is a one trick pony.

Thank f**k we said no.

To be fair, if one of the Barnet subs shook hands with the 4th official, during the game, I would've had a problem with that/been wondering why....

Really? Maybe a a quick fix but to me he's no long term investment.

I believe that Nick Higgs never returned MA's call - one of his better decisions!

In the long run though, we've ended up with Clarke. I'll happily take that.

Mad dog admits we were sharper,brighter and better than them.


www.times-series.co.uk/sport/barnet_fc/13620757.Bristol_Rovers_were_sharper__brighter_and_better_than_us___Allen/?




Barnet boss Martin Allen felt his side should have had a first-half penalty in defeat at Bristol Rovers but had no complaints as his side were beaten 3-1 at the Memorial Stadium.

The Bees fell behind after just three minutes when a corner routine, which Rovers boss Darrell Clarke revealed his side had worked on during Friday’s training session, resulted in wing-back Lee Brown sweeping home from 35 yards.

Barnet had a good penalty shout when Pirates centre-back Tom Parkes appeared to handle in the penalty area but referee Ross Joyce waved away the appeals.

Rovers added a second after the break when Jermaine Easter found himself in space to plant beyond Graham Stack from 12 yards in the 77th minute.

Curtis Weston pulled one back for the Bees with five minutes to go after Luke Gambin’s initial effort was blocked. But just over 60 seconds later the Gas had restored their two-goal buffer through substitute Matty Taylor.

Reflecting on the performance, Allen said: “I thought Bristol Rovers fully deserved to win; I thought they were sharper, brighter and better than us.

"We had a couple of opportunities which perhaps could have gone our way. The players thought it was a penalty in the first half.

“The referee actually said it hit his (Tom Parkes') arm, up by his hip, but it was not a penalty despite being in the box. Having said that I thought they were the better team.”

Allen continued: “I think we have set the precedent from day one that we are not going to criticise the referee’s performance.

“The referee said to me at half time the ball hit his arm. That is handball, it was in the penalty box, so it should have been a penalty. But he did not see it that way.”

The timing of Rovers’ third goal proved decisive for Barnet and Allen admitted he had been disappointed to see his side switch off so soon after hauling themselves back into the contest via captain Weston.

“Yes, it was frustrating,” he said. “They have got guts and character these players, but I think it is fair to say we were a little bit below where we have been.

“We put a lot of effort into the game against Northampton Town and played very well in the second half to win against them. We should have had a little bit more in the tank today – or I should have perhaps made a few more changes to freshen up the team.

“We just looked a little bit short from where we normally are.”