The View Outside The Premier League: Barnet fluff their lines but Tranmere put on a show
Not since the days of Stan Flashman and Barry Fry has so much attention been directed at Barnet's modest Underhill ground. On Saturday Edgar Davids - yes, that Edgar Davids - took his place in the home dugout.
Apparently the former Ajax, Milan and Barcelona star has become a player-coach at the club. I say apparently, since the exact arrangement isn't clear yet; boss Mark Robson is still there and the track record for experiments in co-management in the English game isn't good.
The track record for superstars turning up in the lower tiers isn't strong either - think Sol Campbell at Notts County. But we have to assume Davids has his reasons and he is working towards his UEFA licences. And few teams offer a greater challenge that Barnet.
The Bees have scraped an escape from relegation for the past two seasons but have begun 2012/13 in awful form. The presence of Davids and the attention of the media couldn't inspire the players as they collapsed to a 4-1 defeat against a modest Plymouth side.
To make the occasion even more surreal Barnet were able to include a Dutch international on the park, as well as their one in the stands. Former Fulham man Collins John made his club debut though he lasted just 15 minutes before injury intervened.
With Davids described as 'player-coach', it raises the prospect that Barnet might yet take the field with two capped Dutch players. Even Flashman and Fry in their heyday couldn't have dreamt up that scenario.
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While Barnet couldn't deliver in the glare of publicity, League One leaders Tranmere Rovers strode into the spotlight. After a blistering start to their season Ronnie Moore's table toppers ran into some stern resistance from a motivated Yeovil squad.
The Somerset side grabbed a two-goal advantage at Prenton Park, but that only succeeded in stirring Moore's side to greater efforts. Even without top scorer Jean-Louis Akpa-Apro and Andy Robinson, Rovers stormed back into the contest with Jake Cassidy netting his eighth of the campaign.
Before Saturday Rovers led the league on goals scored and least conceded. The defence may have had a blip but the way Rovers came back without a couple of key men sent a warning to the rest of the division that their great start is no fluke.
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Sheffield United are unbeaten this season but there is still a subdued atmosphere around Bramall Lane. After being pipped for promotion last season the Blades were expected to be one of the favourites but their draw with Oldham encapsulated their season.
Yes, the Blades are undefeated, but they are dropping points to teams that they should finish off. And Tranmere's rocket start is an uncomfortable reminder of last year when Charlton shot off into the distance, to leave United scrapping for a single automatic promotion place.
Danny Wilson will need no reminders of the pressure on managers in this league. Last season Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield Town dispensed with their bosses when the clubs were in third and fourth places and it is clear that only promotion will be acceptable for Sheffield United in 2012/13.
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Fleetwood were beaten at home by a single Wycomble goal. The Chairboys are stabilising under caretaker boss Gareth Ainsworth and despite this loss Fleetwood have still made a strong start.
It was ironic that Micky Mellon's side lost on this weekend as Mellon was one of the many names thrown into the hat for the Burnley manager's job. Such is the fierce pride in the town, nearly all of the contenders selected in the local press have connections to the Turf Moor club.
Steve Davis at Crewe and Paul Cook at Accrington are also ex-Burnley players who also received mentions and the sides that they currently supervise also lost on Saturday.
Related articles:
TVOPLL: Helguson boosts Cardiff and Stevenage go second
TVOTPL: Blackburn start life without Kean
TVOTPL: Wolves pile misery on Posh, Tranmere score for fun
TVOTPL: Bellamy sparks Cardiff and Tubbs strikes for Bournemouth
TVOTPL: Magpies go top and Cod Army batters the Shrimps
TVOTPL: Mackail-Smith double sinks Burnley
TVOTPL: Wycombe washed out but it's raining goals in Blackpool
Blackpool: Holloway's men hit the ground running
