Barnet Odds: 66/1 Last Five Seasons
2005/06 - 18 (League Two), 2004/05 - 1 (Conference, Promoted), 2003/04 - 4 (Conference), 2002/03 - 11 (Conference), 2001/02 - 5 (Conference). Cup Progress 2005/06
FA Cup First Round vs Southend United (h) - lost 1-0
Carling Cup Third Round vs Manchester United (a) - lost 4-1
Football League Trophy Southern Section Second Round vs MK Dons (h) - lost 3-0 Top Goal Scorer 2005/06: Nick Bailey (midfield) - nine goals. Players Out
Louis Soares (Aldershot - Free), Simon Clist (Forest Green Rovers - Free), Damien Batt (Released), Lee Roache (Released), Luke Hickie (Released), Ben Bowditch (Released). After winning the Conference by 12 points in the 2004/05 season, Barnet have found the step up to the Football League a difficult one. The Bees found themselves dragged into a relegation battle last season and survived the drop by six clear points after remaining unbeaten in their last five matches. It has been a difficult pre-season for Barnet after they were fined 13,000 by the Football Association for their poor disciplinary record of last season. Barnet picked up 95 yellow cards and had three players sent off with defender Simon King collecting 11 yellow cards himself. Part of the fine will be suspended for a year and the FA will consider waiving the suspended amount should the Bees' record improve next season. The club has been rocked further by the news that striker Tresor Kandol has been given a 13 week prison sentence for a series of driving offences committed by the player in March. However, the striker who joined Barnet from Dagenham & Redbridge in January and netted four goals, will remain at the club following his released and should be back for the start of next season. After several months of uncertainty surrounding their Underhill ground, Barnet have been given the all-clear to remain there after solving issues regarding vehicle access and the sloping football pitch. The club has been boosted by veteran duo Paul Warhurst, 36 and Andy Hessenthaler, 41, signing 12 month contract extensions to remain at Underhill although a host of fringe players have been shipped out on free transfers or released as the club attempts to improve on last season's lowly finish. Verdict
Striker Giuliano Grazioli's goals dried up last season and another tough campaign lies ahead. Preserving their League status will be the club's main priority although non-performing strikers and a reliance on ageing players will not make this an easy task. The ookmakers have no choice but to make them firm relegation candidates at 10/3. |
