Barnet travel to Rochdale tomorrow for a League Two match after coming down to earth on Tuesday night at Charlton, the Bees crashing out of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, 2nd round in a 4-1 defeat.
In the league, both clubs have made fine starts to the season with the Bees lying 4th following two consecutive home victories over Dagenham & Redbridge and Grimsby Town. Rochdale lost 1-0 away at Burton Albion last weekend, but they are still 7th, in a play-off position and only one point behind Dagenham in 3rd place and the Bees.
Rochdale had won four matches in a row prior to the defeat at Burton and have only lost once at home in the league so far this season; a 1-0 defeat to Cheltenham Town in August. They lost at Rotherham early in the season, their only away league defeat before last weekend.
Last season, the two clubs met four times with both sides winning their respective home matches, while Rochdale knocked the Bees out of the FA Cup after a replay which went to extra time. Rochdale made the play-offs last season for the second year running but again failed to gain promotion to League One and they will be looking to make it third time lucky this season.
During the summer, Rochdale lost one of their most dangerous players, striker Adam Le Fondre who moved to League Tow rivals, Rotherham United. In his place, Chris O'Grady, a former Rotherham player, has signed from Oldham on loan and Scott Spencer has arrived from Everton. This week they added Frenchman, Marc Manga, who has impressed while on trial, to the strike force and he could make his debut against the Bees.
Manager, Keith Hill has signed two new goalkeepers; the experienced former Partick Thistle keeper, Kenny Arthur from Accrington and young Matthew Edwards from Leeds United. In defence, Hill has added the young Macclesfield defender, Matthew Flynn, while in midfield, former Darlington player, Jason Kennedy has joined and Dale Stephens has signed on loan from Oldham and Simon Whaley from Norwich City.
Two players to keep on eye on in the Rochdale line up are midfielder, Will Buckley, a product of the youth system at Spotland who is dangerous going forward and has scored 14 goals and the prolific former Tranmere striker, Chris Dagnall.
Young defender, Craig Dawson, who has been an ever present in the league this season could lose his place to Marcus Holness following Rochdale's defeat at Burton. Meanwhile, the Bees are likely to see the return of Gary Breen and Paul Furlong after they were rested for Tuesday's JPT match at Charlton. Daniel Leach and Jake Hyde are likely to make way for them and winger, Albert Jarrett may have to be satisfied with a start on the bench too, as Albert Adomah should be fit for tomorrow's game after missing the Charlton match with a foot injury.
Tomorrow's match has a real top of the table clash look about it. Barnet lost to Rotherham, another promotion chasing side, 3-0 in their last away league match and Ian Hendon will certainly not want a repeat of that. Since that game, Gary Breen's return has seen a greater defensive stability in the side and the Bees have had two clean sheets and two victories which has seen them climb back up to 4th place. It's sure to be a hard match up at Spotland, but with Gary Breen in mind, Barnet Mad is going for a 1-1 draw in what is sure to be a tight match for both clubs.
