Jake Hyde, who is in the League 2 top scorers list after netting four goals in six starts and four appearances as a substitute since his Football League debut on the opening day of the season, looks set to play against Bradford City at Underhill tomorrow.
The 19-year-old striker, signed by Barnet the day after his 19th birthday in July after being released by Swindon Town, impressed manager Ian Hendon on scouting missions to reserve games last season.
"He is mature beyond his years and I am very impressed with his attitude", Hendon said today. "He shows a steely determination to force his way into the team ... and I like that.
"I have so much confidence in Jake. He has adapted very well and very quickly to the demands of first team football after playing at reserve team level for Swindon".
The talent-spotting manager had his faith in Hyde justified when the striker scored twice against Shrewsbury Town on the second Saturday of the season. He then earned headlines with his added time matchwinner against Notts County and netted against a strong Millwall side in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.
The injury front news from the training ground is that Daniel Leach is back in training after being sidelined with tendonitis and Albert Adomah is due to have his broken nose reset on Monday. Adomah "terrorised" City in the clubs' two meetings last season, according to the Bradford Telegraph and Argus. Paul Furlong is unavailable after collecting five cautions.
After five consecutive wins and a draw, the Bees are in confident mood as they look to extend their unbeaten record in League games at Underhill this season. They have not conceded a goal at home since August 15.
But Hendon, having banned the use of the P-words, has added a third -- complacency. He won't hear of it.
Whisper-it-quietly: Stuart McCall, who clocks up his 100th game as Bradford City manager tomorrow, has never beaten Barnet ... he came a cropper on his two previous visits to Underhill.
In tomorrow's match programme Ian Hendon expands on his thoughts about Jake and the two away games that have harvested four points. The programme also features John O'Flynn facing the famous 20 questions in which he reveals a keen interest in karate and also a two-page centre spread of the 2009-10 squad taken at Underhill recently.
Dennis Signy and David Bloomfield.
