How Do Barnet Stay At The Top Of The National League? – Opinion

Having now hit the summit of the National League Barnet need to keep their wits about them as they face a huge challenge to stay there.

Dean Brennan’s team comfortably brushed aside Wealdstone 3-0 in the derby game in front of the DAZN cameras on Saturday and took top spot on goal difference from Forest Green Rovers and York City despite all three sides claiming 21 points so far.

The Bees were installed as the bookies and almost everyone else’s favourites for the title in the summer but have seen a couple of blips in the opening ten games.

Saturday’s win over their nearest neighbours will go some way to addressing their slow start away from home where they have suffered all three of their defeats so far.

It’s a perfect five wins from five played at The Hive and Brennan knows he needs to fix the results on the road if the Bees are to maintain top spot.

The Irishman believes his side need to be more clinical in front of goal despite being the top scorers in the division already with 22 goals and playing six of those ten games without a recognised striker.

That is testament to the way Brennan has Barnet playing that they continued to win games and create plenty of chances to pick up victories in the absence of any natural front men.

The return to action of Rhys Browne recently has been a massive plus for the Bees but the striker was forced off after only 18 minutes at the weekend. They were however also buoyed by the appearance of last season’s top scorer from the bench in Nicke Kabamba.

The 31 year old rounded off the derby win with his first goal of the season in stoppage time, and whilst Brennan will be grateful to have his strikers involved after bit part roles so far this season the key is fitness for both front players going forward.

The same can be said for Nik Tavares who was muscled out of the man of the match award on Saturday by Harry Chapman, a crucial cog for the team with his versatility to be able to play effortlessly at centre back or in the middle of midfield.

Whilst Barnet haven’t struggled to score during this period thanks to the likes of Chapman, Mark Shelton, Zak Brunt and Callum Stead, there is no better tonic for Bees fans than to see the name of Kabamba not just back playing but also on the scoresheet.

Clean sheets win titles as well as goals and an area where Brennan recruited heavily for in the summer does need to be a bit more ruthless.

There is every chance winning the title this year could come down to goal difference and whilst scoring plenty at one end has to matched up by reducing the amount conceded.

A visit to the EBB stadium is next up for Barnet, their opponents Aldershot Town holding the previous league leaders to a goal less draw last time out and will be keen to add another good performance to their resumé.

With goals throughout their team and supply lines intact Barnet will expect to come away with the three points on Tuesday evening before they host AFC Fylde at the ground which is clearly becoming a place visiting teams don’t expect to come away with anything.

 

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