Cup Progress 2005/06 FA Cup First Round vs Southend United (h) - lost 1-0 Carling Cup Third Round vs Manchester United (a) - lost 4-1 Football League Trophy Southern Section Second Round vs MK Dons (h) - lost 3-0
Top Goal Scorer 2005/06: Nick Bailey (midfield) - nine goals.
Players Out Louis Soares (Aldershot - Free), Simon Clist (Forest Green Rovers - Free), Damien Batt (Released), Lee Roache (Released), Luke Hickie (Released), Ben Bowditch (Released).
After winning the Conference by 12 points in the 2004/05 season, Barnet have found the step up to the Football League a difficult one. The Bees found themselves dragged into a relegation battle last season and survived the drop by six clear points after remaining unbeaten in their last five matches.
It has been a difficult pre-season for Barnet after they were fined ?13,000 by the Football Association for their poor disciplinary record of last season. Barnet picked up 95 yellow cards and had three players sent off with defender Simon King collecting 11 yellow cards himself. Part of the fine will be suspended for a year and the FA will consider waiving the suspended amount should the Bees' record improve next season.
The club has been rocked further by the news that striker Tresor Kandol has been given a 13 week prison sentence for a series of driving offences committed by the player in March. However, the striker who joined Barnet from Dagenham & Redbridge in January and netted four goals, will remain at the club following his released and should be back for the start of next season.
After several months of uncertainty surrounding their Underhill ground, Barnet have been given the all-clear to remain there after solving issues regarding vehicle access and the sloping football pitch.
The club has been boosted by veteran duo Paul Warhurst, 36 and Andy Hessenthaler, 41, signing 12 month contract extensions to remain at Underhill although a host of fringe players have been shipped out on free transfers or released as the club attempts to improve on last season's lowly finish.
Verdict Striker Giuliano Grazioli's goals dried up last season and another tough campaign lies ahead. Preserving their League status will be the club's main priority although non-performing strikers and a reliance on ageing players will not make this an easy task. The ookmakers have no choice but to make them firm relegation candidates at 10/3.
Cup Progress 2005/06 FA Cup Second Round vs Doncaster Rovers (h) - lost 2-1 Carling Cup First Round vs Sheffield United (a) - lost 1-0 Football League Trophy Northern Section Second Round vs Kidderminster Harriers (h) - lost 3-0.
Top Goal Scorer 2005/06: Julian Joachim (striker) - 16 goals.
Players In Anthony Elding (Kettering - Free), Tim Ryan (Peterborough United - Free), David Farrell (Peterborough United - Free), Mark Albrighton (Doncaster Rovers - Free), Richie Ryan (Scunthorpe United - Free), Francis Green (Lincoln City - Free), Andy Marriott (Torquay United - Free), Paul Tait (Rochdale - Free).
Players Out Lawrie Dudfield (Notts County - Free), Alan White (Notts County - Free), Austin McCann (Notts County - Free), Danny Thomas (Released), Steve Melton (Released), Chris Wright (Released), Richard Chinn (Released), Ashley Edkins (Released).
Boston United were tipped as a dark horse choice to win League Two last season after the relatively high profile signings of former Premiership duo Julian Joachim and Noel Whelan. However, an inconsistent season ensued and the Pilgrims had to settle for mid table obscurity.
While former Leicester City, Aston Villa, Coventry City and Leeds United striker Joachim lived up to expectation, netting 16 league and cup goals, Whelan was more of a disappointment. After four goals in 15 league appearances, the former Leeds, Coventry and Middlesbrough striker checked into an alcohol treatment clinic before joining Scottish Premier outfit Livingston on a free transfer in March.
Manager Steve Evans has been proactive in the transfer market this summer and made eight new signings while sending the same amount of players out of the exit door. Evans has signed a number of strikers as he tries to ease the pressure off Joachim. Francis Green, Anthony Elding and Paul Tait have all been signed this summer as Evans looks for goals.
Green signed on a free transfer from Lincoln City, following a successful trial spell at York Street last season while former player Elding returns to the club following spells at Stevenage Borough and Kettering Town. Much travelled Tait arrives after a short spell at Chester City. The 31 year old began his career at Everton and has since played for Wigan Athletic, Northwich Victoria, Runcorn, Crewe Alexandra, Bristol Rovers and Rochdale.
Verdict Boston will rely on striker Julian Joachim, now entering the veteran stage of his career, to try and propel them up the table, although another mid-table finish looks the likely result.
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