What's the oldest soccer cliché in the book? "I'm over the moon", "It's 11 against 11". Or the managerial favourite that pops up week in, week out ... "Let's take one game at a time?"

Interviewed for the BBC Football League programme on the pitch at Northampton on Friday evening, with 529 Barnet fans in the background wildly celebrating the team going top of League 2, Ian Hendon solemnly pulled out the line about keeping everyone's feet firmly on the ground and just concentrating on the visit to Macclesfield Town this coming Saturday.

The straight-talking Hendon, who is earning a reputation for inspirational half time words with his players, was, of course proud to be in top spot (albeit until Saturday afternoon) and happy to savour the moment but he was merely pursuing the line he has already taken ... no mention of the P-words of promotion or play-offs.

Chairman Tony Kleanthous almost strayed from the current Hendon line by venturing on the BBC programme that if the Bees escaped too many injuries or suspensions the club could have a successful season.

Publicity-wise, playing on Friday to avoid the England v Slovenia match at Wembley the next day paid off.

Ian Hendon spoke on TV and radio and Paul Furlong was highlighted by both television and the Press. Assistant manager Gary Breen was on the Sky Sports Goals on Sunday programme talking about nurturing the young talent at the club ... as he likened the 40-year-old Furlong to a 25-year-old fitness fanatic in training one presumes even "Granddad" rates in the youthful class.

PS This article is based on a Monday morning call to Ian Hendon. I guess I will have to hide behind that old journalistic cliche: no news is good news. Hope so. Watch this space.

Dennis Signy