By Nathan Jackson
July 10 2005

In the first of our season previews, we look at newly promoted Barnet. After being relegated on the final day in the 2000/1 season, they have finally returned and are looking to get revenge on this division. Barnet were the last team to properly thrash the Imps at Sincil Bank, winning 6-0 back in 91

Name Barnet

Location North London

Manager Paul Fairclough

Ground Name Underhill Stadium
Capacity 5,500
Address Barnet Lane, Barnet, EN5 2DN
Main Telephone No 020-8441-6932

 

Last Season Barnet won the conference by a mile and although their end of season form was quite poor, they still only lost 8 games all season, scoring a whopping 90 goals and finishing 12 points ahead of 2^nd placed, Hereford United. Their scoring got them some very impressive results including a 7-1 thrashing of Farnborough, 5-1 against Morecombe, 4-0 against Northwich, 5-0 against Dagenham and the fact they only had one goalless draw all season, ironically at Farnborough, shows that they should easily settle in at this level.

 

This season? Last season, the apparently closing divide between the conference and League 2 increased as both Shrewsbury and Chester were in a relegation battle all season long. Barnet however, shouldn’t have these sort of problems. In Guilano Grazioli, they have a proven goal scorer at this level after his time with Bristol Rovers. Barnet’s season will depend on how their defence copes with the better quality of strikers in this division but they could very well be dark horses for promotion.

 

Prediction 9^th, a very solid and convincing opening back in the football league who will be in the playoff hunt until near the very end.