Ben Herd / Ben Herd / 10 February 2010 / Leave a comment " class="free-bet-btn" rel="external" onclick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/G4/inline-freebet');" target="_blank">Free Bet

It was a disappointing week for our boy Ben Herd as Aldershot went 3-0 down at Barnet but he did manage to take the chance to sit down for a chat with Barnet winger and Sierra Leone star Albert Jarret.

"It is only now that I am playing in League Two that I realise what an opportunity I had: the facilities and everything right down to the pre-match food is better at that level!"

It was Barnet away for us last Saturday, the reversal of the Boxing Day fixture. We succumbed 3-0 to a Barnet team looking for their first win in 14 games and needless to say it was a massive disappointment to all the lads and myself, not to mention a big dent in our promotion bid. This week's opponent that I interviewed for betting.betfair.com is Barnet's left winger Albert Jarret. Albert has played for nine clubs in his career and can lay claim to having played in every division from the Conference up to The Premier League, not to mention being capped for his national team, Sierra Leone. Here is what he had to say...

So Albert, what did you make of Saturday's game?

We had been on a winless streak stretching back 14 games so it was a massive victory for us and a bit of weight lifted off of our shoulders. In terms of the game itself, it was a case of us taking our chances and Aldershot wasting theirs. They seemed to have a bit of possession and carved out decent chances in the first half, but obviously didn't take them, which might have changed the game if they had. Even when we were two up, Aldershot had some great chances to pull one back which may have made it a nervy last 20 minutes but thankfully we made it three in the dying minutes and that was that...

How would you sum up the season so far, both as a Club and personally?

It's been a rollercoaster as they say, at one stage we were top of the league and absolutely flying. But like I said above, we are in the bottom half of the table now without a win since November. It is not like we haven't been playing well because in most games, we have dominated without taking our chances and then the other team seems to punish us by scoring with their only chance. From a personal point of view, it is just pleasing to be playing week in week out as it is the first time in my career that I have been given the opportunity to showcase my ability on a regular basis.

What ambitions and targets do you still have left in your career?

Well, there are still plenty of games left this season for us to force our way into the play-off's, I know it might not seem too realistic given our current position, but if we can put a little run together then I believe we can achieve a play-off place. I was involved with Watford in the Premier League only a couple of years ago and I am not saying that I am going to get back to that level, but I believe The Championship is a realistic aim. I have been in that division with the old Wimbledon as well, so I know what it takes to play at that level.

Is there anything that you regret in your career? You mentioned it wasn't too long ago that you made an appearance in the Premier League.

I would have to say when I was at Watford, I was only young and at the time I didn't realise how lucky I was at being at such a good club. It is only now that I am playing in League Two that I realise what an opportunity I had: the facilities and everything right down to the pre-match food is better at that level! I have had a taste of it and if I get the opportunity again, then I will certainly make sure that I stay there. If only I had the mentality now that I had back then!

What is it like going from playing in League Two, to representing your country on the international stage?

It is surreal. I left Sierra Leone when I was very young and settled in England, but when I have played for the national team, the fans have treated me like a King. Their mentality is very different to that of English people; everyone in Sierra Leone loves the national team because unlike England, there are no big club sides that people follow. Also, it is a very poor country and football seems to be people's great love. It is a little strange though, going from playing a team in our league with of a few thousand people watching, to playing in front of 80,000 noisy, passionate fans in the National Stadium.


Football

Favourite Premier League Player? Cesc Fabregas
Favourite player outside the Premier League? Cristiano Ronaldo
Manager you'd most like to work under? Arsene Wenger
Club you'd most like to play for? Arsenal

Best mate in Football? Lloyd Sam
Messiest eater? Joe Tabiri
Biggest ladies man? Me!
Worse Dressed team-mate? Daniel Leach

Non-football

Dream date? Beyonce
Favourite TV programme? Come Dine with Me
Favourite shop? Selfridges
Worst vice? Chololate
Biggest pet hate? People farting without warning you!

50/50

Chinese or Curry? Chinese
BMW or Audi? Audi
Pepsi or Coke? Coke
Pro Evo or Fifa? Fifa
Michael Buble or Akon? Akon

Tags: Albert Jarret, Aldershot players, Aldershot Town, Barnet players, League Two betting, League Two players