I called in Motty because we need love . . . not a slap!
MARtIn ALLen’S strategy for Football League survival is two-fold — bring resolve to a struggling Barnet side and restore confidence with an arm around the shoulder.
the latter was seen before the club, bottom of League two, faced a Luton town side on course to reach the third tier for the first time since 2008.
Allen invited BBC commentator and Barnet fan John Motson into the away changing room at Kenilworth Road, to provide pre-game encouragement.
Although it could not prevent Luton claiming a comfortable 2-0 victory that took them back to the summit of the division, Allen said it demonstrated how he wants his embattled squad to be happy again.
he said: ‘Motty is a mate of mine, he always comes into the club. he’s a legend and my job at the moment is to help the players relax.
‘there is too much tension, too much “Oh my God”, so when he said hello to me in the corridor, I quietly pulled him in to say hello to the lads.
‘ he made them all smile, made them all laugh. When you’re in this situation, you have got to make them relax. they need love, not a slap.’
Barnet are seven points off safety with as many games to play. Allen is back for his fifth spell at the club, as the fourth manager at the hive this season.
On the pitch, Allen dropped the father figure persona in favour of steel. the 4-3-3 of predecessor Graham Westley was ditched for a sturdier 4-4-2, with centre back and captain Dan Sweeney moved into a holding midfield role.
For 45 minutes, it worked perfectly. Luton — winless in five, and showing five changes — only threatened from longdistance shots and set-pieces. however, Barnet’s frailties were exposed in the first two minutes of the second half. they gave away a free-kick from their own throw-in, which Alan Sheehan swung on to the head of Dan Potts. he nodded the ball down for Danny hylton to score from a yard. the second Luton goal was similarly preventable, James Collins slamming the ball through the hands of keeper Craig Ross, although the Barnet no 1 redeemed himself with a number of outstanding saves. For Allen, however, there were signs that he can save Barnet from relegation to non-League for a third time. It was a challenge he could never turn down. he said: ‘ I was always watching to see how they were doing. I’ve had a year off, which I needed. I have had a lovely break and haven’t missed football. ‘then they rang me on Sunday night when I was watching the golf. I don’t want to see Barnet go down.’