Last Saturday was the moment Barnet fans have been waiting a long time for.
After seven seasons of exile in the National League, The Bees have finally confirmed their return to the EFL in fine fashion, and look set to break the centurions mark should they gain a point in their final day match away to AFC Fylde. It is a triumph which finally caps off Dean Brennan’s transformation at The Hive, rescuing the club from near-disaster in 2021 to bring joy to the amber side of North London.
But speak to any Barnet fan, and they feel that this could be just the beginning of their transformation and this team will be within a promotion conversation once again this time next year. But can the champions of non-league follow the path Wrexham have set with back-to-back promotions?
Champions Tend To Do Well
In recent years, the National League’s winners have performed well in their first campaign back in the EFL. And in the case of two of the last three – Wrexham and Stockport County – have gone a step further and reached League One. Chesterfield, last year’s champions, may not have tracked the same way as their predecessors, but are certainly still within the play-off conversation and have been the second-best attacking outlet in the fourth tier.
Notts County, the other promoted side when Wrexham went up, will be arguably the side to beat in this year’s edition of the play-offs with their form and talent, and could even go up automatically if results go their way. The bottleneck of promotion and relegation, which has been such a divisive point in recent years, means that, arguably, Barnet will enter the league better than a lot of the clubs stuck in the midtable of League Two.
‘Brennanball’ Could Stump Opponents
Characterised by patient buildup and high mobility, Dean Brennan’s tactics this season have created one of the best sides non-league has seen for a while. League Two has many teams that allow the opponent to control the ball, with just ten of this season’s 24 having an average possession of over 50%. Every player in this side looks comfortable on the ball, and when the moment to strike is there, they will pounce to make the most of the chance.
Whilst some adaptations may be made if need be to adapt to the level above, sticking to the principles that won them the National League could be a big factor in where they finish next season.
Recruitment Is Spot On
The signings that Barnet have made over the past few windows and in free agency have been perfect in adapting to Brennan’s tactical style. Key to that is Anthony Hartigan, the lynchpin of this squad and the conductor of the squad across this season. Whilst Callum Stead or fellow summer signing Mark Shelton may get the deserved plaudits of player of the season in the fifth tier, Hartigan is crucial to how successful Barnet will be if he can remain fit.
Of course, new signings will need to come in to make the jump to the level. Experience which can fit into the formation The Bees play is crucial, as is some support for striker Lindokuhle Ndlovu. Depending on who also comes up from the National League, some promising signings could be made from those who miss out. The loan market is also been rewarding for Brennan after the promise shown by players like Bailey Hobson this season.
Competition May Be Scarce
No matter who goes up this season, it feels that League Two will be weaker when the 2025/26 campaign starts in August. The fourth tier will be losing its best teams in Doncaster Rovers and Port Vale, as well as potentially Bradford City, Walsall or Notts County, and in their place come some very underwhelming teams from League One. Whilst teams like Chesterfield and whoever falter in the playoffs will remain in the promotion conversation, it feels there are fewer truly threatening sides to deal with.
Barnet have proven they can cause issues to these established teams with how far they pushed an Exeter City side that was, up until that FA Cup First Round tie, one of the best defensive outlets in the third tier.
Can They Do It?
Of course, the Irishman’s situation at Barnet is still up in the air. The club want Dean Brennan to renew his contract at The Hive, but with how this season has gone, it should be a no-brainer to remain with The Bees. If they can recruit as well as they have across the past 12 months, they certainly can put themselves up there to go back-to-back.
