Fairclough: Barnet are ‘best football team in the league’

The Bees take on the Cobblers needing to at least match AFC Wimbledon’s result to ensure their Football League survival.

It is the fourth successive season that the north Londoners have needed a result on the final day of the season to avoid relegation from npower League Two, but Fairclough believes the current crop are in a false position.

The Bees have given themselves a great chance of survival thanks to a run of 10 wins in 23 games under manager Edgar Davids, the most recent of whcih was last Saturday’s 1-0 victory against Wycombe Wanderers in the club’s final game at their Underhill home.

Barnet will kick-off next season in a shiny new stadium, and Fairclough is supremely confident they will do so as a league two club.

“I believe we will win the game at Northampton,” Fairclough told www.barnetfc.com

“I think, actually I know, we are the best football team in the league; we just didn’t completely believe it.

“But, I think they (the players) do now and I think it will be demonstrated today.”

Sixfields is completely sold out for today’s game, with Barnet bringing in excess of 1,300 supporters, and midfielder Luke Gambin is in no doubt they will be travelling south down the M1 after the match in celebratory mood.

Asked how he thought the Bees will fare at Northampton, Gambin said: “It is only going to go one way and that way is us winning the match.

“We have worked hard all week and it will be good to get on the field on Saturday and show what we can do.

“Last week’s win has given everyone a massive confidence boost. It was great win and the boys did ever so well.”

And he added: “I think the experience of being in and around a team that have been in this position before will help.

“I was with the team last year in Burton and we have got a lot of character so I believe we can do it.

“We started off the week in a relaxed fashion but as the week has developed we have worked harder and harder because we know we need to win.

“We are all very focused as one and as a group so I have no doubt that we will be ready when the match kicks off.”

The Cobblers go into the game assured of a play-off place, but needing a win to try and overhaul Burton Albion to finish fifth and ensure they play the second-leg of the semi-finals at Sixfields.

Burton, who entertain Gillingham, are three points above the Cobblers, but Aidy Boothroyd’s men have a better goal difference.