Has Sincil Bank ever held so much appeal???
For the last 6/7 weeks since the fixtures were announced, the home of Lincoln City FC has been at the forefront of every Barnet fan's minds. Of course it could have been any one of another 23 stadiums that we ended up playing at on the opening day, but Sincil Bank it is and i just can't wait til Saturday.
Why? It just feels different this season. The manager, the signings, the fans' confidence, even the players are giving it some on the official website. I don't recall another season where I have been as optimistic as this before a ball has been kicked. The way we finished last season has given everyone a major shot in the arm for the months ahead. Barring the talent of Matt Lockwood, we've got our 'second half of the season' team back together, and look how many trees we pulled up in that period. It's a shame that we haven't got a fully fit squad to choose from for the opening day, as it's vital that we hit the ground running from the off in order to build confidence and get in amongst the leaders early on.
I point to the example of last season's champions Brentford as our inspiration. Going nowhere under the existing manager, they promote Andy Scott from the ranks to become the gaffer and he leads them to a fine finish to 2007-08. A few months later, they're setting the pace at the top of League 2. I look at our appointment of Ian Hendon in a similar light. Stagnating, almost crumbling under Paul Fairclough, a promotion from within and following a slow start a string of excellent performances and attacking football follows. I could be completely wrong, but judging by how we played at Griffin Park in that fantastically one sided defeat in March, I rate our chances this season, I really do.
The best thing is, none of the other clubs fans, the press or certain national football magazines are giving us a chance in hell. Great news. Let everyone think that little old Barnet are making up the numbers again. But I'm confident that in a couple of months or so, once a few of them have taken a pasting from the new look Bees, they'll be eating their words and getting a sore neck from staring up the table at us.
We have made some quite brilliant signings over the summer. Just take a look at the spine of the team. Jake Cole in goal, solid and dependable, signed from a Championship club and eager to prove himself. The experience, class and composure of Gary Breen, once a World Cup player, in the centre of defence. The coolness and passing range of new skipper Micah Hyde in the middle of the pitch. And the legendary Paul Furlong using all his years to con refs, rough up centre halves and bang in the goals. Add to that the pace of Albert and Yannick down the wings, the poaching instincts of John O'Flynn, and you've not got a bad little team there. I still feel we are weak in the full back positions, but I have every confidence in Ian Hendon that if it is clearly a problem for the team, he will delve into the loan market and put that straight. Maybe even tempt Locky back (can you tell I like him, he is a bit of class isn't he?)
I have high expectations that we can push on this season. We have an exciting blend of youth, pace, skill and no lack of experience all over the pitch. A perfect recipe for success, especially at this level where legs aren't so important. Just take Gary Breen's almost faultless displays last spring. Did he ever lose a header? He is possibly the slowest and most awkward looking player in the team, but he didn't need to be physically fast because he was mentally quicker than most strikers at this level. The way he brought Yakubu out of his slump was wonderful to see, and if they can carry on that partnership, ably backed up by the find of the summer in Daniel Leach, I foresee a season of exciting attacking football and plenty of 3 point hauls. The make up of our side will enable some quick counter attacking and surely that will lead to some wonderful away days to savour (remember them???)
It seems like an eternity since we had anything to shout about where the bread and butter of the league is concerned, and indeed it may all turn out to be blind optimism. But looking at our team with 4 days to go til the new season starts, I can't see anything other than a successful 9 months ahead.
Roll on the weekend!!!!
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