Paul Fairclough’s love affair with Barnet’s the key to survival

It seems an obvious choice — and for Barnet manager Paul Fairclough it was. Recently reinstated at the helm, Fairclough had to tell his wife, Sharon, that their romantic stay in Paris had to be shelved. Mrs Fairclough may have had a bee in her bonnet but for the Bees manager, tomorrow's showdown at home to promoted Rochdale was paramount.

Barnet have their destiny in their own hands but it has been that way for six games now. They have lost them all, requiring just three points to survive, and after Ian Hendon failed to claim the crucial win, chairman Tony Kleanthous wielded the axe for the first time in 16 years following the club's defeat at Accrington Stanley last month.

Fairclough was then approached by Kleanthous and insists he did not hesitate to answer the SOS call, despite the ramifications it could have had at home.

"After the Accrington game I gave the chairman a list of seven names of who I thought could take the club forward," Fairclough said.

"But I then got a call saying he wanted me — and I had already planned a romantic three-night stay in Paris with my wife. She wasn't best pleased but I had to take this on. Barnet are close to my heart and I am determined to get out of this.

"I have been going through tactics and everything with her, it's consumed the household a bit. I've got two daughters and they have heard it all, too.

My family is incredibly important to me and they have been very supportive."

About to be a grandfather for the first time — his daughter Laura is expecting her first child in three weeks — Fairclough has banned her from Underhill tomorrow as the stress of the occasion would be too much.

But Fairclough, the ninth longest serving boss in the Football League before he left the club in 2008, is relaxed about the situation. Rivals Grimsby may have beaten Barnet 2-0 last week but the situation remains the same — win and Fairclough's men are safe.

The man who took Barnet back to the fourth tier of the Football League in 2005 is adamant they can preserve their League Two status, regardless of what Grimsby do at Burton. He said: "The lads are enjoying their football again and I know they will give everything against Rochdale — there will be nerves but we're ready.

"Of course there is pressure but I am relaxed as I have faith in the team — they will perform. It works in our favour as we don't have to worry about what Grimsby do."

If Grimsby can overhaul the one-point deficit, relegation from League Two could compromise Barnet's much-vaunted Centre of Excellence, which England manager Fabio Capello opened in December.

But Fairclough is adamant the experience of Paul Furlong, 41, and Micah Hyde, a sprightly 35-year-old by comparison, will help Barnet come 3pm tomorrow.

"Paul and Micah's experience can be crucial for us — they've seen this all before," Fairclough added.

"I have contemplated the consequences of relegation but we're more suited to thinking positively. The players have really taken to me since I returned and now it's my job to get them playing well.

"The older players can really help us and after all the tension, I want to look forward to having a drink tomorrow night."

Paris can wait. Fairclough has to bid bon voyage to this scrap for survival first.