Football Season Guide

The Bees have enjoyed a quiet summer where they have remained under the League Two radar. Having finished in 15th place in the table in 2016/17, the appointment of Rossi Eames as permanent sole manager was confirmed by owner and chairman Tony Kleathous a fortnight after the end of the season and he spent the summer quietly doing his business. Arguably the player who is pivotal to their hopes of success in the coming season is striker John Akinde. He has two years left on his contract and keeping hold of him has been crucial with plenty of clubs expressing their interest in his services. He has notched 57 goals in all competitions over the past two years and will be supported by a host of young talent coming through the clubs youth system. Several were blooded last season, including defender Harry Taylor and midfielder Jack Taylor. This has allowed Eames to let the likes of defenders Bira Dembele and James Pearson, Luke Coulson and striker Michael Gash leave the club. Eames will be hoping goalkeeper Jamie Stephens’ injury worries are behind him and he can establish a settled back-line with experienced centre-back Michael Nelson having signed a new player-coaching deal this summer. Winger Jamal Campbell-Ryce has also signed a new contract and could link up with right wing-back Richard Brindley who is an excellent addition from Colchester United. Akinde could establish a strike partnership with front man Shaquile Coulthirst who has signed on a permanent deal from Peterborough United during the close season. Barnet are set to start their fifth season at the Hive which was originally intended to be a temporary home after leaving Underhill. Crowds remain disappointingly low but Kleathous appears to be happy to make up the financial shortfall and if Eames can get the blend between youth and experience right, his side could be looking to make a sustained play-off challenge this time around.