Barnet boss Martin Allen has praised the ambition of new captains Curtis Weston and Andy Yiadom, stating the pair do not want to “stand still and faff around being Joey average”.

The summer departure of Charlie MacDonald left head coach Allen with the task of appointing a new first-team captain for the Bees’ assault on the Football League.

And after giving the armband to Bondz N’Gala, Mauro Vilhete and John Akinde in pre-season, Allen has opted to go with what he knows and promote vice-captain Weston, whilst appointing Yiadom the new vice-captain.

Speaking after today’s 3-1 win over MK Dons, Allen explained his decision.

He said: “The pair of them demand high standards of each other and high standards of the players. They are both very ambitious and they do not want to stand still and faff around being Joey average, it ain’t going to happen here.”

Addressing the decision to promote Weston, Allen said: “He has been a model professional since I have been here, a joy to work with on and off the field.

“He is honest, dedicated, focused, has an opinion and I think he almost got double figures in goals last season and the way we play suits him. He is probably one of, if not the, fittest player in the club and he has got to be aiming to get ten goals.

“He is a leader, not through verbal communication, but through example and the way he trains and the commitment to the team. He is a good bloke.”

And the midfielder, who was MacDonald’s deputy towards the end of last season as the Bees lifted the Conference title for a record third time, will be assisted by Yiadom.

“He is just a brilliant player, isn’t he?” said Allen of the right-sider. “How the hell he is still here I will never know.”

The former Watford and Braintree Town defender was subject of two offers over the summer from League One Barnsley but the Bees turned down an offer believed to be in the region of £250,000 for the 23-year-old.

And Allen is adamant the England ‘C’ international can go higher. He stated: “Some of the clubs that have bid for him are having a laugh if they want to take Andy Yiadom, he is better than some of those clubs.

“He is a fantastic player, a great bloke and I ask him questions privately in my office and he gives me straight answers and tells it to me straight. What an absolute joy to be involved with him.”