Bees battle for striker

Thursday, 19/01/2012

by Rama Hill, Shoot's Barnet blogger

It’s been a busy January in many respects for Barnet, but as the transfer window comes to a close, the majority of Bees fans will be wondering whether League Two top scorer Izale McLeod will still be a Bees player come February.

His contract expires at the end of the season, and with media speculation of six-figure bids from the likes of Swindon and Chesterfield, it is tough to see how Barnet will be able to keep hold of him.

It’s far from doom and gloom at Underhill though. Recent league form has been good, with a 2-0 victory over struggling Bristol Rovers followed by arguably the performance of the season so far, a 3-0 away victory over the league’s form team Accrington Stanley.

Goals from Mark Hughes, Ricky Holmes and Sam Deering proved that there could be life in the goalscoring department after the potential exit of McLeod, despite hitman Steve Kabba’s long term injury.

Another result of note was the 1-1 draw at Underhill with Swindon in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. The Bees have claimed a few scalps in the competition, defeating the likes of League One’s Colchester and League Two high flyers Cheltenham away from home, so an away date in The Robin’s backyard on February 7 will not faze Lawrie Sanchez’s men.

The ever eccentric Swindon manager Paolo di Canio will no doubt be desperate to help prove himself as a manager by reaching the final, but with Barnet’s penchant for upsetting the odds in cup games, I can certainly see a historic first Wembley final for the Bees.

Outside of the McLeod drama, there has been minor transfer activity at Underhill. Arsenal reserve right back Sead Hajrovic has arrived on a month’s loan deal to help cover for the injury to Danny Senda, who is out for the season due to a dislocated kneecap.

Against Accrington four centre backs were fielded across the backline, and Sanchez has admitted that more signings may be made before the window closes, particularly in the full back area.

Barnet’s next game is at the Sixfields stadium against the league’s basement team, Northampton. Although the Cobblers are holding up the rear of the Football League, recent form has been good; a credible draw at Shrewsbury and a vital win at Morecambe was followed by a loss at home against an excellent Southend side, which they led for more than half of the game.

Cobblers boss Aidy Boothroyd is a shrewd operator at this level and Barnet’s erratic tendencies to lose against teams lower down in the table will be in his mind. Despite this, I cannot see Barnet losing and won’t be surprised if it ends in a draw with a potential farewell goal or two from McLeod.

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