A look ahead to the season finale at Barnet…
By Matty Paddock - 19/04/2024
Posted 1 year ago
HARRIERS sign off their 2023-24 season at Barnet on Saturday, with boss Phil Brown urging the squad to take their chance to impress.
The Reds make the trip south knowing relegation was confirmed last weekend with defeat to Eastleigh.
That’s not to mean Saturday’s clash is without meaning, says the Manager, who is eager to use the game as a platform for players to impress.
Among those entering his thoughts will be youngsters Josh Bishop, Samson Hewett and Kobe Hall, who have all been recalled to Aggborough from loans elsewhere.
They’ll be involved in the match day squad against The Bees, and the boss expects them to push the more established players in the group all the way.
On the game, he commented: “There’s never such a thing, in my honest opinion, as a dead rubber, because players are always playing for something; if that’s a new contract, to enhance their reputation and let people know they’re around.
“We’ve got one or two younger lads I can maybe into the mix on Saturday, just to really have a look at them against decent opposition.
“It has to be said, we’re coming up against one of the better sides in the National League… they’ve done a remarkable job at Barnet.
“The consistency levels that they’ve reached on a weekly basis, a match-by-match basis, has been admirable and one of envy where I’m concerned.
“But we’re going there with three points to play for, and some careers to play for.
“If anyone of the older lads think the younger lads are gonna just join in and it’s going to be a glorified five-a-side, they’ve got another thing coming.”
Academy Player of the Season Noah Rubio will also be involved in some capacity at the weekend, while Seb Thompson is also in line for a potential debut having arrived at the club earlier in the campaign.
Of the former, Brown said: He’s been training with us for about five or six weeks now, and I’ve been impressed by the lad.
“The rest of the team have been impressed with him as well and, in training on a daily basis, he’s not freighted at all and wants to get on the ball.”
On Thompson he added: “He’s had his problems with regards to trying to reach a level at Derby and Burnley and places like that and hasn’t managed to reach that level.
“We’ve had a look at him on a training ground basis and seen him once or twice, and he’s in the squad as well.
“So, we’ll be having a look at one or two with a view to next season, so there’s still certainly something to play for where that’s concerned.”
One player unable to feature this weekend will be Jack Lambert, who has unfortunately sustained a knee injury that will require lengthy treatment.
Kick-off at Barnet on Saturday is at the earlier time of 12:15pm.
Fans driving to the game are strongly urged to .
Away travel to the game has sold out, but fans can watch the match live in the Harriers Arms if they can’t make it to The Hive.
Prefer to watch from home? You can do, courtesy of National League TV.
This article is about: Match
CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
