Barrett's Banter - bring on Hartlepool (From Echo)

Barrett's Banter - bring on Hartlepool

9:52am Thursday 26th March 2009 in Sport By Adam Barrett

FRIDAY night football is back at Roots Hall tomorrow as we take on Hartlepool United — and I can’t wait.

I’ve always been a big fan of these evening games and there always seems to be a better atmosphere under the floodlights.

If we’re serious about getting into the play-offs then it’s a game we must win.

And we’re confident we can do that.

It was a convincing and comfortable win over Carlisle and we want more of the same on Friday to put pressure on the teams above us in the table.

We will be forced into a bit of a reshuffle at the back with Dorian Dervite on international duty but I’m sure we will be able to cope with that.

We have some good players who can come in and it’s brilliant for Dorian that he’s been called up into France’s under 21 squad.

We wish him all the best and I’m sure he will do well for them.

We have our own battles to contend with though and want to try and force our way into the play-offs.

As you may have already seen in the Echo this week, a few of the lads are into this head, shoulders, knees and toes song that’s out at the moment.

They dance to it after the game and all want to do it after they score.

I’m going to sound old now but for me it’s a load of rubbish.

It’s OK when you’re about five but it’s hardly a classic is it?

I’m half expecting row, row, row your boat to come on next... perhaps followed by the wheels on the bus go round and round!

PRAY THAT CORRIE'S NOT ON THE BARRETT BOX

IT’S another important week for England coming up as they play Slovakia in a friendly on Saturday and then Ukraine in a World Cup qualifier next Wednesday.

I’m a big fan of the national team and will be tuning in as long as my wife isn’t watching Coronation Street or America’s Next Top Model.

I might have a chance now that Dancing on Ice has finished and things have been going well since Capello came in.

I’m going to stay quite reserved though and not get carried away because we’ve been let down many times in the past.

But it will be interesting to see what team he puts out and hopefully we can get two more good results.

I STILL THINK MAN UTD HAVE WHAT IT TAKES FOR LEAGUE WIN

AWAY from Southend and Roots Hall, I still fancy Man United to win the Premier league.

It’s amazing how quickly things can change in football.

And United have seen their lead cut at the top to just one point — after losing to both Liverpool and Fulham.

But they still have a game in hand and I fully expect them to win the league.

I would like to see them win all the trophies they are going for in actual fact because I’m a big fan of Sir Alex Ferguson.

He’s fantastic for the game of football.

And I certainly don’t want Liverpool to win anything.

I’ve never really been keen on them — and Peter Clarke is a huge fan of Liverpool so we would never hear the end of it!