Dean Brennan has never been a manager to lower expectations. Five years into his reign at Barnet, the Irishman has overseen promotion back into the EFL. Speaking to The Lower Tiers, the Barnet boss reflected on five years in charge that have delivered promotion back to the EFL, restored long term stability and left his side firmly in the League Two play off conversation.
Speaking candidly, Brennan insists that being mid table does not align with the standards he has set internally.
“Well I set the expectations and the standards around here,” Brennan said. “They start from myself and the Chairman and I just feel from our point of view, we have set a higher bar than what we’ve managed to achieve so far.”
Barnet currently sit tenth in League Two, three points outside the play off places, with a large portion of the season still remaining.
“There’s still a lot of football to be played,” Brennan added. “We sit tenth, three points outside the play offs. We’re about eight or nine points outside the automatics but I have a saying in life, if you reach for the moon you just might get the stars.”
Barnet’s return to League Two was not without early challenges. A slow opening run tested belief, but Brennan always trusted the process.
“The attitude from the players has been spot on,” he said. “Especially after the first three games which was a disastrous start for us really.”
Rather than panic, Brennan stayed patient.
“I knew once we got key players back, we’d start winning football matches,” he explained. “The way we’ve been able to change systems and change styles within games has been really impressive.”
That adaptability has become a defining feature.
“The little tactical things like that have been really pleasing,” Brennan added. “The team’s grown as the season’s gone on and hopefully we continue to grow at that rate.”
Off the pitch, Brennan admits the biggest adjustment has been financial.
“The biggest challenge has been the finances,” he said. “The gulf between the National League and this division is huge.”
Even compared to the strongest sides in non league football, the scale is different.
“It caught us a little bit off guard,” Brennan admitted. “I didn’t realise it was this large.”
Despite taking a long term view, Brennan is clear that Barnet are not settling.
“There’s always ambition to push higher up the table,” he said.
Progress, for Brennan, is measured over time.
“I’m a big believer in looking at where you were twelve months ago and where you are twelve months later,” he explained. “If you look at where we are now within the pyramid system, we’ve definitely progressed.”
He added further context.
“I see it as 116 clubs including the National League,” Brennan said. “We’re around 78 within that structure, so that’s a positive.”
Squad depth is proving crucial as fixtures pile up.
“It always is in the English system,” Brennan said. “The pyramid’s brilliant but it’s relentless.”
With postponements and rearranged matches, the calendar is unforgiving.
“We’re Saturday Tuesday now for the next couple of weeks and it doesn’t stop,” he added. “But we love it. These are the winter months and this is mortgage football.”
Statistically, Brennan believes Barnet deserve more.
“If you look at the underlying stats, we’ve had the most touches in the opposition box,” he said. “We’ve missed the most key chances in the division.”
The solution is simple in theory.
“We just need to be a little bit more ruthless in the top end of the pitch,” Brennan explained. “If we do that, I think we’ll have an amazing season.”
Several players have caught the manager’s eye.
“Danny Collinge has been immense as one of our captains,” Brennan said. “He’s been tremendous alongside Tavares and Senior.”
Adam Senior’s impact has been notable.
“He’s got seven goals as a full back, which is a great return,” he added.
Others continue to play key roles.
“Glover had a lot of interest in him in the last transfer window but we managed to keep hold of him,” Brennan said. “Slicker’s done really well in goal and Anthony Hartigan and Nnamdi Ofoborh have had really good seasons.”
The collective aim is clear.
“Can we get the icing on the cake,” Brennan asked. “Can we get ourselves into the top seven?”
Now in his fifth year at the club, Brennan believes stability has underpinned progress.
“We’re a stable club within the division,” he said. “I’ve got a great relationship with the Kleanthous family and the Chairman.”
That foundation matters.
“If I was to leave tomorrow, the football club would be in a fantastic place,” Brennan added. “Much better than when I first took it over.”
Looking ahead, Brennan is focused on consistency.
“The main thing is to keep going one game at a time,” he said. “Keep stepping forward and keep slightly improving.”
Points targets are already in mind.
“Can we get ourselves to 75 or 76 points,” Brennan said. “If we can, it should allow us to get into the play offs.”
For Barnet Supporters, His Message Is Positive
“They’re amazing with me,” Brennan said. “We’ve got a brilliant rapport and an open door policy.”
The ambition remains deeply personal.
“My dream was to take Barnet back into the EFL,” he said. “The next dream is can I take it to League One.”
He ended with a belief that defines his approach.
“If you work hard enough, stick together, show character and togetherness, you can achieve anything in this business.”
