Source: PA
Grazioli - A great achievement
Giuliano Grazioli labelled Barnet`s Football League survival as the highlight of his career but the caretaker boss was quick to salute the work done by Martin Allen and Lawrie Sanchez.
Allen oversaw a three-match unbeaten run in late March/early April which sparked the Bees` survival bid before he parted ways for Notts County. Grazioli, appointed assistant by Allen, took the reins for the remaining five games, aided by former Northern Ireland manager Sanchez in a consultancy role.
The great escape was achieved with a final day 1-0 victory over Port Vale. Izale McLeod smashed home a 48th-minute penalty after he was brought down by Gareth Owen and Grazioli reserved plenty of praise for his players.
He said: "It's been a stressful few weeks but it's been a lot easier with the players I've had to work with. They have come in and worked hard and that makes your job as a manager a lot easier. We went out there knowing we had to win the game.
"It's a great achievement and surpasses everything I did as a player. I'm getting all the acclaim but all I've done is answer questions. I've not been stepping over the white line each week.
"Six weeks ago no-one gave us a chance, so you have got to thank Martin Allen massively - he started this boll rolling. Lawrie (Sanchez) came in, settled the ship, calmed us down and got us to keep doing what we were doing. To learn under those two managers has been great and I've loved every minute of it. It means so much more because I'm a fan of this football club."
