Our apologies. Some of us have been away having far too much fun for our own good. We've been all over the place but now we can finally sit down and talk about some football. Phew.
After what can only be described as a lacklustre performance against an OK looking Hereford side, we are presented with a chance to put that one to bed and reaffirm our strength at home with a visit from Port Vale.
The Hereford game was very poor. If they felt agrieved at not winning, then they had a very strong case to defend such a viewpoint. All of the games' main chances fell to them, in fact I don't recall their keeper having to make a save. It was a bad day at the office for all in Barnet colours, and a little worrying. The weather was not conducive to a good football match in any way shape or form, but the performance was still lacking in quality, plus the goal that was disallowed could have been described as dubious.
But hold on, why is these worries creep in to our thoughts at this stage of the season? We're still eighth in the league. A position that was barely comprehensible in any stage of the last four years. So why the moans and groans and grumbles of discontentment? Why are there little signs of panic amongst us about this so called precarious position? Have we just come to expect a little bit more of this team and the club under Ian Hendon?
Well, it seems so. The change in mentality in the new year and the excellent start to the season appears to have got us wanting a little bit more. For once it would actually seem that we have a team that is really capable of challenging at the top.
The fans have seen that, and want performances and results to match. The fans that turn up that is, attendances are still hovering around 2,000. Who knows what it'll take to get them back, or new fans through the gates. Though may I venture a ticketing system that is less complicated than the current mess that is in place at Underhill, a system that even Einstein would struggle with. Us regulars, the season ticket holders, find it hard enough, let alone a first timer looking just to bring his kids down on the day for a cheap ticket to the football. Too complicated, though perhaps this argument is for another day.
It's a big chance to get back involved where we want to be. Port Vale aren't setting the world alight in mid table and had a big FA Cup clash in midweek. We are still unbeaten at home in the league and our record is still impressive. We do have some defensive worries with another name being added to the injury list, but with Ismail Yakubu continuing to show real strength with every game he plays and Ahmed Deen filling in very well at right back, we do have something to build on.
It's certainly not going to be easy. Vale are still lurking with intent and will want to improve on their 13th place position. But we need these points, we can't start falling off the pace now.
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