Martin Allen: "We deserved to win"
The Bees' manager discusses Barnet's first win of the season…
Martin Allen feels that Barnet were worthy winners against Accrington Stanley this afternoon.
Reflecting on the 2-0 victory, Martin said:
"Accrington Stanley are a good side and they like to knock the ball around.
"With the heat, with it being our third game in a week and with the possession game that they play, it was a difficult match.
"I'm not sure it was that comfortable - they kept pushing forward with ten or fifteen minutes to go.
"But we had some good chances, with a couple of them cleared off the line.
"Overall I thought it was a very good team performance and I think that we deserved to win today.
"I've got to say that our keeper, Josh Vickers, made a couple of good saves this afternoon.
"He was there when called upon.
"But the whole group defended well; they practice it, they work on it and they all know their jobs & responsibilities.
"Akpa Akpro did a good job helping Elliott Johnson and Mauro Vilhete did well helping young Harry Taylor.
"The three in the middle also had to protect the centre-backs.
"As we saw numerous times in the Euros, if you're well organised, disciplined and everybody knows their jobs then it's hard to break down."
Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro scored his first goal in a Bees shirt and Martin was full of praise for the striker:
"Akpa Akpro's a good player and a great lad as well," he said.
"He is really popular in the dressing room and works really hard.
"Jean-Louis is just the kind of player that we like here at Barnet – he's honest and he hasn't got a problem when he doesn't play.
"When he does play he gives it everything he's got and more.
"He fits in perfectly well to our group."
Barnet's manager was also positive about Michael Gash's contribution, prior to his second half injury:
"We don't know what Michael's injury is at the moment, so he'll have a scan on Monday to find out what it is," said Martin.
"Michael trained all the way through the summer and he's got to fall into the bracket of 'slimmer of the year' – like you see in those women's magazines when you're at the dentist!
"He has lost more weight and he's very fit; what a good player he is for our team.
"He epitomises the spirit in the group and he has got goals in him too.
"Michael has got lots of technical ability and isn't just a hold up man."
Martin believes that the crowd played a bit part in today's victory too, saying:
"I thought the crowd today were fantastic – there was a great atmosphere at The Hive.
"It wasn't easy to watch the first half because Accrington were keeping possession in their own half, which was difficult to play against.
"But I thought that the crowd really got behind the team this afternoon, especially in the second period.
"That certainly boosted the players, so I was personally really chuffed with the fans – especially those opposite me who kept singing and lifting the team.
"My God we need those people on our side!
"Now we've got to get everybody together on Monday morning, ahead of the game against Blackpool on Tuesday night.
"We have to take each game as it comes.
"I've got a very good squad of players that the Chairman has helped put together.
"We have to get going again and not get too carried away with today's victory."