Monday Focus: Rossi Eames makes balancing act at Barnet look easy

Barnet FC

Rossi Eames is in line to take the job at Barnet on a permanent basis

Rossi Eames spent his teenage years training in Klemen Bedenik's stable alongside Max Whitlock and even moved to Slovenia for two years to pursue his dream.

But he came back to Britain aged 21 and, after a brief semi-professional football career, began studying as a coach at university in Leeds.

"Max was in a different league to me," says Eames. "I was an OK gymnast. I worked hard and that was why I had a little bit of success. But I was Conference and he was Champions League!"

Eames is now somewhere in between.

Twitter

Eames used to train with Rio 2016 Olympic gold medallist Max Whitlock in gymnastics

When Martin Allen cut short his fourth spell as Barnet manager last month to join non-league Eastleigh, no-one expected development coach Eames and academy manager Henry Newman to be in charge for more than a care-taking spell.

But eight weeks later, League Two's very own odd couple are talking up their chances of a playoff spot in only the club's second season back in the Football League.

However, the two men are too humble for the crown of manager or for the word interim to be dropped from their titles.

"We believe the term first team manager is a little archaic," says Newman after Saturday's 0-0 draw with Newport County.

Barnet FC

Henry Newman works alongside Eames on a interim basis at Barnet

The Bees were frustrated by the League Two's bottom side, who arrived with journeyman Graham Westley at the helm and no league win since November 19.

More than half of the home side's starting line-up are under 23 and, in total, five – like their rookie coaches – have come through the ranks at The Hive.

Eames' care for his players as well as his academic background are both evident on the touchline. Unlike his predecessor Allen, constantly issuing screamed orders, he stands at the corner of the technical area, emitting the occasional barked request while scanning the field analytically.

But what he lacks in volume is more than made up for by his partner. Newman starts most games sitting in his seat, but it rarely lasts long.

The former Barnet academy manager always has something to say to his players and there is no room for subtlety.

League Two attendances
Sat, March 19, 2016

Express Sport has taken a look at the League Two attendance records for the 2015/16 season so far, and can reveal which club has the most dedicated fan base (based on statistics acquired by MyVoucherCodes.co.uk)

Play slideshow

Getty Images

1 of 25

Express Sport has taken a look at the League Two attendance records for the 2015/16 season so far, and can reveal which club has the most dedicated fan base (based on statistics acquired by MyVoucherCodes.co.uk)

But that is not to say that Eames' intellect outshines his fellow coach's – Newman has five As at A-Level and a degree in economics and philosophy from LSE to his name.

Public interaction between the two meanwhile is rare. The two lieutenants seem to have telepathic understanding of the other's thoughts.

"We're both very self-aware and aware of the other in relation to their personality, strengths and weaknesses," says Newman.

"We're more than comfortable in each other's company and have the level of security to decide who does what on a week-to-week basis."

Only goal difference separates the odd couple from a League Two play-off place. There is nothing to say that should be as far as they go.

Original Article