this season

[Suffolk Blue]

When we are talking about the optimum time for a squad to turn up at a ground before a match I would guess that the issues are as much psychological as physical.

The prevailing view would be that bringing the squad into town the night before a game would enable them to avoid the development of an away mentality and settle and bond.

Whilst our training/playing regime is unique it isn’t revolutionary by any means. But we need to be aware of what we are asking particularly Southern based players we sign. Some players will adapt to it better than others and the constant demands of travel will affect some. Hutton might have been one of those.

[RedWeb]

But we need to be aware of what we are asking particularly Southern based players we sign.

Personally I wouldn't bother signing players based in the south. Unless (1) the player is absolutely what we need and (2) is 100% committed to training in Manchester and potential overnights in Barrow. Surely enough players can be had in and around in the North West. For every Mo Diarra you get a dozen Inih Effiongs i.e. complete wastes of time/money. Don't see the point.

[andyg]

I think Bradley Barry regularly traveled up from the south coast. To me he was a star and still missed. I see Stevenage released him after one season there think he had a few injuries. Would imagine he will be picked up by a southern based non league team. But he gave us great service.

On another issue from the managers latest interview after the South Shields game he mentioned he is still looking for three more players. I think a left sided defender , a left sided, I presume midfield/forward and the most difficult of all another striker. So at this stage who might we be looking at - maybe one or two of the trialists another loanee? Who ho might be on their way? I know Ellis and Taylor are favourites in that category but after Hutton left on Friday who knows.

[Pastor]

Whilst there are no obvious duffers in L2 recruitment IMO hasn’t really changed the profile of teams from last season. Still see Rochdale, Hartlepool, Colchester and Harrogate as likely to be in our vicinity along with Carlisle.

Based upon the teams you've listed I assume, rightly or wrongly that you expect a bottom half of the table finish. I'd say it's too early to make that assumption. I'd also argue that Carlisle under Simpson are more likely to be a top half rather than a bottom half team. But we'll see.

[Suffolk Blue]

Whilst there are no obvious duffers in L2 recruitment IMO hasn’t really changed the profile of teams from last season. Still see Rochdale, Hartlepool, Colchester and Harrogate as likely to be in our vicinity along with Carlisle.

Based upon the teams you've listed I assume, rightly or wrongly that you expect a bottom half of the table finish. I'd say it's too early to make that assumption. I'd also argue that Carlisle under Simpson are more likely to be a top half rather than a bottom half team. But we'll see.

Agree with all of that Pastor. Far too early to predict with any degree of accuracy so I’m not doing that. All I’m saying is that the dynamics of the division don’t appear to have changed much. So that would lead you to a conclusion that your “peers” will be the same as last year. FWIW I think you may be right about Carlisle too.

[mall]

I don't think we'll be pulling up trees this season but I do think we'll be a lot more comfortable than the last couple of seasons from what I've seen.

[Suffolk Blue]

I’m not sure that there is much of a basis for prediction even based on pre-season. Firstly it could be argued that we may encounter the same problems as last year being robust defensively but weak up front; that we will create chances but that our conversion rate won’t be great; and that whilst our best eleven looks competitive, that we will struggle to get it on the pitch regularly.

We do look a bigger more physical unit than last season and some of our shortcomings up front might be less pronounced.

TBH I’m more positive when it comes to looking at the mood and apparent unity within the camp. Given all our weaknesses last season my view was that we still failed to take points that we should have and that was to some extent down to “inconsistencies” in the quality of management. I think we will see a much better reflection of the true abilities and limitations of the squad this season.

But you cannot draw many conclusions from pre-season. Only with regard to fitness. And you don’t have detailed knowledge of what is happening in other camps either. Results tell you little; eg last week Scunthorpe beat Sheffield United at home; this week they entertained Rochdale and got a bit of a thumping. What does that tell you about their prospects for the coming season? Zilch.

[mall]

I’m not sure that there is much of a basis for prediction even based on pre-season. Firstly it could be argued that we may encounter the same problems as last year being robust defensively but weak up front; that we will create chances but that our conversion rate won’t be great; and that whilst our best eleven looks competitive, that we will struggle to get it on the pitch regularly.

We do look a bigger more physical unit than last season and some of our shortcomings up front might be less pronounced.

TBH I’m more positive when it comes to looking at the mood and apparent unity within the camp. Given all our weaknesses last season my view was that we still failed to take points that we should have and that was to some extent down to “inconsistencies” in the quality of management. I think we will see a much better reflection of the true abilities and limitations of the squad this season.

But you cannot draw many conclusions from pre-season. Only with regard to fitness. And you don’t have detailed knowledge of what is happening in other camps either. Results tell you little; eg last week Scunthorpe beat Sheffield United at home; this week they entertained Rochdale and got a bit of a thumping. What does that tell you about their prospects for the coming season? Zilch.

Yes, you're right. I think its maybe wishful thinking on my part. I just perish the thought of yet 'another' season of real struggle towards the end.

[Suffolk Blue]

I have that same sense of unease in the pit of my stomach Mall. Comes with territory I guess. History has programmed us that way.

I do have genuine optimism that we might have secured finally the right type of management team at last and that we’ll see some genuinely consistent performances this time. Lack of that very nearly cost us our place in the EFL in both of the last two seasons.

Unless you are a club with a significantly large wad being able to deliver a consistent level of performance week in week out is one of the most important factors in surviving this league. Otherwise each season feels like starting all over again. I’m positive we can at least do that.

[russell_anderson]

I have that same sense of unease in the pit of my stomach Mall. Comes with territory I guess. History has programmed us that way.

I do have genuine optimism that we might have secured finally the right type of management team at last and that we’ll see some genuinely consistent performances this time. Lack of that very nearly cost us our place in the EFL in both of the last two seasons.

Unless you are a club with a significantly large wad being able to deliver a consistent level of performance week in week out is one of the most important factors in surviving this league. Otherwise each season feels like starting all over again. I’m positive we can at least do that.

I also feel positive about the management team and confident we will be defensively sound and have a good midfield. However, I don't think the strikers we have are good enough and unless we get at least one good one goals will be scarce. The manager's recent radio comments of 3 more players coming in also seems to have been downsized to possibly 1 in the last broadcast which is a bit worrying. We have obviously been unable to sign some players he had hoped to get.

[Jonty]

We’ll know with it the first half dozen games if the strikers are good enough but as J Goodwin said in summarising last night’s game we cant be looking just at Waters and Bennett to get the goals, they’ve got to come from all over the park.

[Adam29]

I have that same sense of unease in the pit of my stomach Mall. Comes with territory I guess. History has programmed us that way.

I do have genuine optimism that we might have secured finally the right type of management team at last and that we’ll see some genuinely consistent performances this time. Lack of that very nearly cost us our place in the EFL in both of the last two seasons.

Unless you are a club with a significantly large wad being able to deliver a consistent level of performance week in week out is one of the most important factors in surviving this league. Otherwise each season feels like starting all over again. I’m positive we can at least do that.

I also feel positive about the management team and confident we will be defensively sound and have a good midfield. However, I don't think the strikers we have are good enough and unless we get at least one good one goals will be scarce. The manager's recent radio comments of 3 more players coming in also seems to have been downsized to possibly 1 in the last broadcast which is a bit worrying. We have obviously been unable to sign some players he had hoped to get.

The one possibly two was in answer to me asking if there will be additions before Saturday’s game v Salford

He’s still wanting 3 more in total

[Arvo]

Live season preview for the EFL on the BBC website at the moment. They're starting at League Two, but are reviewing the clubs in reverse order for some bizarre reason, but it shouldn't be too long before they get to the good guys.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/62269898

[andyg]

Did my annual bet on Barrow getting a top 3 place yesterday and Bet Fred gave me 50/1 which I thought was fair enough. Think I might lose my stake though.

On another issue James Jones has now gone back to Altrincham (they are now full time). Their supporters are pretty pleased about that. They also train at Egerton now where we were two seasons ago.

[McMark]

Live season preview for the EFL on the BBC website at the moment. They're starting at League Two, but are reviewing the clubs in reverse order for some bizarre reason, but it shouldn't be too long before they get to the good guys.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/62269898

Barrow AFC - 'A feeling they could outperform predictions'
League Two (2021-22: 22nd)
Adam Johnson
BBC Radio Cumbria Sport
It was another summer of change for Barrow following the conclusion of the 2021-22 season.

Despite all the early promise Barrow just never really got going under the guidance of Mark Cooper, while Phil Brown came in to somewhat steady the ship and did just enough to see the side over the line to survival.

The appointment of Pete Wild has been taken on board massively by the support at the club.

Wild, along with new sporting director Iain Wood and assistant manager Adam Temple, has created an organised atmosphere around the club's on-field activities.

Recruitment has seemed good from the off - Wild's ideology of two players for every position has seen a very balanced squad created and, at the time of writing, they are only maybe a couple of additions away from being the finished picture.

Barrow have been handed a tough start to the campaign fixture wise, but there is a feeling that, should they weather the early storm that has been thrown their way, they will surprise the early-season predictions.

You can hear full commentary of every Barrow AFC match this season on BBC Radio Cumbria Sport on DAB+ and AM Frequencies 736, 837 & 1458