McGleish to Barnet... Eh?

I was kind of expecting it but just didn't want it to happen. Unfortunately it has today.

Experienced forward Scott McGleish, who has known to be homesick over the past few months, has joined strugglers Barnet on a one-month loan deal. His loan move sees him return to a club he once played for and the Bees will be hoping he can score some decisive goals over the next few weeks as they bid to avoid the drop to non-league.

I really rate Scotty and am really disappointed that he's gone. Having said that, it was inevitable he would move on at the end of the season anyway. Not because he's no longer good enough, but simply because he'd have the options closer to home in London. He's 38 and, as Mark McGhee admitted earlier on today, it's only 'fair' to let him move now as he's out of favour here. Despite his age he possesses movement and intelligence and that alone can separate him from opponents 10-15 years his junior. To be fair he wouldn't be in the football-league still if he didn't have those particular traits because, let's face it, he's not blessed with pace anymore! Theo Walcott, in my honest opinion, is not a great all-round footballer, but he does have lightning speed and can occasionally provide a finish or final ball to match his pace, making him a valuable asset to his club. Nonetheless, 99% of the time he fails horribly to deliver in the final third and is clearly out of his depth. But hey, what do I know? I'm just a League Two football fan!

McGhee explained that he was not going to bring in any attacking reinforcements as he felt that in Chris Zebroski, Joe Anyinsah, Eliot Richards and Matt Harrold we have enough options up top. I would never argue with him - he clearly knows what he's talking about - although I would say it's debatable whether Joe and Chris can be deemed actual strikers. In saying that though, he's beginning to prepare his squad for next year and he wants to see who of the current crop is good enough to remain here ahead of next season's big push. He'll know that our strike force is an area that requires improvement, our lack of an actual goalscorer goes to prove that, but he is standing by his current players and offering them encouragement that they are the current first choices for the position. Good man management.

One man that it is publicly known we'll be looking at signing in the summer is injured loanee Aaron Downes. The centre half is out of contract at Chesterfield and thoroughly impressed the coaches here prior to his injury. The experience and assurance he brought to the side was invaluable and I'd be delighted to see him join permanently if he can prove his fitness before the end of the season.

But before the summer we have a number of tasty League Two games left to play and who knows where they may take us? It's Macclesfield Town next on Saturday and we'll be hoping to continue our impressive form with another 3 points. The Silkmen will come to The Mem looking to get men behind the ball and counter attack when possible, so we'll need to carry plenty of attacking intent to break them down. Looking forward to going to the game having missed last Saturday's away day victory, here's hoping for 3 points!

Up the Gas!