We continue our build up to the home game with Barnet by interviewing one of their supporters. Stewart Grint gives us his thoughts here.

1) Barnet always seem capable of putting in decent performances, with their display at Spotland last season as one of the best that we've seen. What's stopping you moving on to the next level?

In short, we lack consistency. Whether that's down to the inexperience of our very young squad, or down to the manager's failings remains to be seen. On our day we are capable of beating anyone in the division as we have proven over the last couple of seasons. We went on a fantastic 10 match unbeaten run in September and October which got everyone's hopes up, but since then the same inconsistency which has dogged us for the last 2 seasons has reared it's ugly head again. Although we are on a decent run at the moment and the team is gelling nicely, it's my opinion that we are only going to get the consistency we require by making a change at the top. Clearly Paul Fairclough, for all the good he has done at the club, is not going to take us on to that next level.

2) The game has been called off twice previously, at relatively late notice. What's been the feeling down there over the postponements?

2 words, pissed off. I know a few fans personally who have made it all the way to Rochdale both times and they are still going on Tuesday night. The first time they diverted to Bolton to watch a game, but the 2nd time was a night match and they had to come all the way back again just after arriving. It's obviously a real pain in the arse but what can you do. Rochdale have got to give the game every chance of going ahead, but then you feel for the travelling fans. Had it been a postponement against a local team there wouldn't have been any problems, but the fact that the away fans who travelled each time have made 3 lots of 450 mile round trips is beyond a joke.

3) Has the season gone better or worse than expected?

It has gone as I expected it to in all honesty. Hopes were high at the start of the season and the 10 game run had all us Bees fans dreaming of promotion, but realistically, Barnet are a mid to lower table League 2 club and that's where most of our fans expect us to finish. Those of us who have seen the better times though are getting more frustrated each season at the lack of ambition of the club and many other fans.

4) Are you lot going through the motions at this stage of the season, with everything now looking towards next season?

Pretty much yeah. At this precise moment there's not a lot to play for, but the team seems to be performing and we will be very dangerous opposition on Tuesday night. We have won 5 of our last 6 home games and have picked up a few good results on the road, so it looks like the fact that we're safe from the drop has released a lot of pressure from the team. A few of the players are playing for contracts, so expect that extra little bit of effort in the last few games.

5) Who are your in form players that we should keep an eye out for?

We have a few players in form right now. Right winger Albert Adomah is the main man. Signed from non-league Harrow Borough in January, the boy has magic in his boots. He's only 20 but he has taken to League football like a duck to water and will surely move on in the coming months (hopefully years though for our sake). Adam Birchall is scoring goals for fun right now and his partnership with Anthony Thomas is proving fruitful in the run-in. Neal Bishop is our player of the season by a country mile and his dominant midfield performances have been a joy to behold. Just wish he could score a few more, just 1 all season he's managed!!! Joe Devera has come up through the youth ranks at Underhill and he can play equally well at centre half or right back. He has been another fantastic performer this season. In goal, club captain and club legend Lee Harrison is in the twilight of his career, but can do still do the business in the nets.

6) You sold Hatch earlier in the season, and I noticed Leeds have been sniffing round. Do Barnet fans accept the need to sell their better players when the money comes in?

Yeah of course, it goes with the territory of being one of the smallest clubs in the League. We can't get the crowds (much like yourselves) due to the size of the bigger clubs in the area, so we have to make do with our lot. We've always sold on our best players to bigger clubs. Maik Taylor, Linvoy Primus, Dougie Freedman to name but a few. Jason Puncheon is set to leave in the summer for a sizeable fee and we sold £500,000 worth of talent over the past year. From what we can make out, that money has all been invested in wages, making up losses and ground improvements, leaving little for transfer fees. Fortunately one of Paul Fairclough's few talents is picking out a gem from the non-league. On the subject of Liam Hatch, I think most Barnet fans are still laughing now. I can't see Peterborough keeping him for League 1 next season, he's playing above his level in League 2.

7) Are Barnet fans relatively happy with Paul Fairclough as a manager?

Well, there's a clear split amongst supporters. As I said in one of the previous questions, many fans remember only 10 seasons ago when we were reaching play-offs and regularly finishing in the top half. A lot of supporters have only known the recent times of struggle, relegation to the Conference and then the euphoria of getting back up again. Paul Fairclough will forever be loved at Underhill for leading us to a fantastic Conference winning season, and steering us clear of relegation 3 seasons in a row, but personally I don't think we're gonna go any further without a change. The problem is, the manager has his good points i.e. signing rough diamonds and making the club a few quid, but patience is wearing thin with many fans due to the inconsistency of the team. It is the manager's job to motivate the players and get them performing week in week out, and that is clearly not happening. I personally think Paul Fairclough has taken us as far as he can, but then you have the issue of who we can afford and who is available who would do a better job, and for a club of our size, what can we realistically expect or demand?

8) We went to Dagenham at the weekend and found a ground way beyond League standard. Is their ground typical of many Conference grounds?

A lot of Conference grounds have been improved greatly in recent years, even since we were there 3 years ago, and many clubs have new stadiums too. Victoria Road was actually one of the better grounds we visited in our time in the Conference, and also nice and local. Dagenham being in the League at least makes Underhill look acceptable (actually Underhill is looking quite princely nowadays with the new stands) Why are you asking anyway, I’m sure you'll never have to worry about dropping down to that level of football so don't have nightmares, do sleep well !!!.

9) Who's been the biggest donkey that you've seen in League Two this season?

Well I would say Liam Hatch but he actually netted quite a few goals for us earlier in the season. There are plenty of donkeys in League 2, that's why they are playing at this level. I couldn't pick one out in particular, but on the basis of the past 2 seasons, fuck it, let's give it to Liam Hatch for his appalling record in front of goal.

10) The season's almost over now. What will be your abiding memory of the 2007-8 season?

From a Barnet point of view, it will be our fantastic FA cup games with Swindon. The 1-1 draw at the County Ground led to the craziest drunken celebrations of a Barnet goal in absolutely ages. The penalty shoot out win in the replay was pure magic too, really good times. My overriding memory sadly though, was the the pathetic performance from team and manager in the 4th Round defeat to Bristol Rovers. Underhill was packed with over 5,000 fans. The potential for 'repeat business' was enormous, and we just didn't perform. What better chance are we ever going to get of reaching the 5th Round, even the 1/4 finals of the greatest cup competition in the world? I was disgusted with the organisation of the club and ticketing, the tactics of the manager, the performance and lack of desire of the team, and the general flat atmosphere that was inside Underhill that day. I've only been to a couple of matches since cos I felt so let down. It's a shame that this is my abiding memory of 2007-08, but hopefully a summer off and the optimism of a new season will restore my faith in the club I love.

And on a final note, I sincerely hope that we won't be playing Rochdale next season. I wish you the very best of luck in your pursuit of promotion, and make no mistake, I will be pestering Kel for a Wembley ticket should you get there. Unfortunately for you lot, I have a knack of getting scores spot on, and I can see us upsetting the apple cart on Tuesday night with a 1-1 draw. Up the Bees!!!

Photo: Action Images

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