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Barnet v Bristol Rovers: High Stakes for managers

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Paul Buckle and Laurie Sanchez approach under growing pressure from disappointed fans to turn around poor campaigns.

Rovers` form in particular has been a mystery considering their recent spell in League One. Following their relegation last season, the Gas offered Paul Buckle the opportunity to repeat his success a Torquay on a larger budget.

At the time it seemed a shrewd move, Buckle had taken Torquay a play-off final with Stevenage through an attractive and attacking style of football that endeared him to the Devonshire faithful. Rovers meanwhile had battled manfully until the final day until their relegation to the Football League`s bottom tier was confirmed.

Buckle tried to replicate the spine that served him so well at Plainmoor by signing goalkeeper Scott Bevan, midfielder Craig Stanley, and forward Chris Zebroski, thus making them the heart of his new look Rovers team. However, all 3 have struggled to have the same impact in a different environment and whilst their former team-mates are comfortably tucked away in the top half of the table, the Bristol outfit are 19th and sliding.

A further 16 new faces have entered the Memorial Stadium as the new boss desperately tries to plug the gaps that have seen the promotion favourites concede 55 goals and record only 6 successes in what has been a torrid start to the season.

Barnet`s recent improvement during November has been significantly dented by their December dip. 1 point from a possible 12, including a 3-0 thumping at fellow strugglers Dagenham & Redbridge have seen the dissenting voices emerge once again. The Johnstone`s Paint Trophy area final can only deflect a certain amount of criticism and the former Northern Ireland boss is well aware of the need to move away from the clutches of the relegation zone.

Izale McLeod`s superb goalscoring record has also attracted the admiring glances from the higher echelons of the Football League, and with a big likely in January, the Bees will need to make the most of him whilst he remains on the north London side`s books.



ith a considerable amount at stake for both sides, a scrappy encounter is likely to ensue in game where both managers need to avoid defeat.

Prediction

Barnet 1 – 1 Bristol Rovers

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