Edgar Davids: Paul Fairclough hails Barnet coach's impact

Barnet director of football Paul Fairclough has praised head coach Edgar Davids for changing the culture at the League Two club.

The Dutch legend joined in October, but they remain in danger of relegation.

"The irony is had Edgar been in charge from the start, the statistics say, we'd be around a play-off position now.

"We have not been great at winning games but in terms of what is pleasing to the eye, we have been one of the best football teams," said Fairclough.

Former Ajax, Juventus and Tottenham midfielder Davids initially joined the club as joint head coach alongside Mark Robson, who left Underhill in December.

Since then Davids, who has also made 27 league appearances, has guided the Bees to eight wins from 21 games.

Victory at Northampton on Saturday would secure their Football League status, but they could stay up with a draw or a defeat if other results go their way.

Fairclough continued: "Winning eventually comes when you bed in a culture at a club. That is what Edgar has done.

"I'd love to see him have the opportunity next season to build on that."

Barnet are leaving Underhill, their home since 1907, at the end of this season to move into a new stadium at The Hive, which is currently their training complex.

And Fairclough admitted that should the Bees drop back into non-league for the first time since 2005 they would face a "big struggle" financially.

"The implications are huge because it is all about funding," he said.

"You lose funding from the Football League straight away. There is this parachute fund, but it is a fraction of what you would normally get. The academy would suffer.

"What the chairman's overall plan has been is to build a sustainable business model. We want to get to the stage where we are not totally reliant on the number of people who come through the gate.

"We have got a fantastic facility at The Hive with lots of businesses within the one business. They will eventually make us solid and sound."

Barnet have survived relegation on the final day in each of the last three season and Fairclough is confident the north London club will, once again, avoid the drop.

"Whether we have won, lost or drawn that is the outcome we need," he said. "We need to be there and starting off fresh [next season].

"I have said throughout the year that if you get 51 points you won't go down. You can look at the fixtures and what can happen and send yourself dizzy.

"I believe categorically we can pull it off on Saturday. Then all our problems will be forgotten."