What has gone wrong, Who’s to blame

[Jeeby]

Hard to believe this time last year Andy Whing was at the helm, seems an eternity ago.

[Bingley Blue]

I don’t think anyone actually called for Murray to be sacked the general consensus was see where we are at 10-12 games and judge. It has to be said though Solihull was an awful performance and result, made even worse by their results since then and at that point I was worried. Murray has added a few footballers since then though to add to the big strong boys he recruited and that has transformed us. I can only think he asked for more money or by moving rose and Whitfield on it freed up substantial wages and allowed the new boys to come in.

Full credit to him after that Solihull match I had my doubts but he’s turned it around and results speak for themselves. Not only that but seems to a very good team spirit and togetherness, something that was sadly lacking last season. Maybe not the most skilful of teams we’ve had but certainly have the fight and desire which should take them a long way and which is all we really ask for as paying fans.

“I said 10 game mark id decide but I’ve changed my mind on 8. Murray out for me.”
That’s what you posted after the Solihull game.

[Matty]

There were definitely calls for his head, like people had learned absolutely nothing. Anyway, that murky water under the bridge has been flushed out, so less said about it the better.

What has gone right, Who's to credit?

[Scott5]

A lot has changed since then I didn’t see a way back for him after that game really, the manner of the defeat and way the fans reacted at the end. Night and day really the difference to then and now. What’s gone right since you have to say the new arrivals Thompson, Edwards, Allen and Reid getting fully fit have really made a difference. There was no doubting the effort before but we were way off it something had to change. Maybe credit the board too for backing him on the new players. Still a long way to go but the turnaround is huge and credit to Murray he believed in himself and the players.

[mall]

A lot has changed since then I didn’t see a way back for him after that game really, the manner of the defeat and way the fans reacted at the end. Night and day really the difference to then and now. What’s gone right since you have to say the new arrivals Thompson, Edwards, Allen and Reid getting fully fit have really made a difference. There was no doubting the effort before but we were way off it something had to change. Maybe credit the board too for backing him on the new players. Still a long way to go but the turnaround is huge and credit to Murray he believed in himself and the players.

IMO, the team that night against Solihull were jinxed by Pete Wilde !!

[blumooncrab]

Hard to believe this time last year Andy Whing was at the helm, seems an eternity ago.

He was pants, wasn’t he- another great find by football guru Ian Wood . If the board took their collective eye off the ball in the last 2 seasons, I’d say that Paul Hornby has his eyes firmly fixed on the target this year . I think he deserves great credit for sticking with the task and turning this around.

Thank you Paul - !

[Scott5]

Hard to believe this time last year Andy Whing was at the helm, seems an eternity ago.

He was pants, wasn’t he- another great find by football guru Ian Wood . If the board took their collective eye off the ball in the last 2 seasons, I’d say that Paul Hornby has his eyes firmly fixed on the target this year . I think he deserves great credit for sticking with the task and turning this around.

Thank you Paul - !

Very much so. Whing shouldve gone much sooner but then there was no real plan. I think Hornby has been very naive and had his pants pulled down over the last 2-3 years and I even wondered if he’d stick around after Shearer pulled out. He’s had a lot of stick and some was warranted after the car crash of last season, but credit where it’s due he’s gone back to basics almost and seems to have picked someone in Murray who knows what is needed and has got a team that’s competitive again. Play offs had to be the target and on the last month or so I see no reason that can’t be achieved. Boreham Wood look to be the champions elect and whilst I’m still not convinced by the decision to let Whitfield go out, you have to say Murray has turned around what wasn’t looking a great situation at all and a Hornby has backed him.
There’s a spirit in the team that we’ve lacked since the early Wild days and it’s improving in the fans again too. You can’t blame some for staying away after the last two years but hopefully now a few see the results and are persuaded to come back, starting with Gloucester . A cup run and money would be huge for us another day at a big club and payday.

[olbarrafancumbak]

He was pants, wasn’t he- another great find by football guru Ian Wood . If the board took their collective eye off the ball in the last 2 seasons, I’d say that Paul Hornby has his eyes firmly fixed on the target this year . I think he deserves great credit for sticking with the task and turning this around.

Thank you Paul - !

Very much so. Whing shouldve gone much sooner but then there was no real plan. I think Hornby has been very naive and had his pants pulled down over the last 2-3 years and I even wondered if he’d stick around after Shearer pulled out. He’s had a lot of stick and some was warranted after the car crash of last season, but credit where it’s due he’s gone back to basics almost and seems to have picked someone in Murray who knows what is needed and has got a team that’s competitive again. Play offs had to be the target and on the last month or so I see no reason that can’t be achieved. Boreham Wood look to be the champions elect and whilst I’m still not convinced by the decision to let Whitfield go out, you have to say Murray has turned around what wasn’t looking a great situation at all and a Hornby has backed him.
There’s a spirit in the team that we’ve lacked since the early Wild days and it’s improving in the fans again too. You can’t blame some for staying away after the last two years but hopefully now a few see the results and are persuaded to come back, starting with Gloucester . A cup run and money would be huge for us another day at a big club and payday.

Boreham look decent currently but there is a long long way to go and they will wobble at some point!

Absolutely right in n crediting Hornby, he could quite of easily walked away but he hasn't and to be fair, he held his hand up and admitted "taking their eye off the ball"
The whole vibe even on here is a big change and it's far better to see us all coming together!

All bluebirds are blue

[HenneysKnee]

What has gone right, Who's to credit?

Decent signings and definitely the move to the 4-2-3-1; we’ve looked miles better since going to 4 at the back

[McMark]

As with most things in life it’s the small but finer details.
A good working relationship with your bosses and your teammates alike. But definitely nothing you should take for granted.
Harmony and togetherness and it being enjoyable too
A sense of Belonging and being part of something with potential to succeed
Most importantly Trust. Trust in the Process but also each other
A cheeky Domino’s (other brands are available).
Non of these things cost a penny but it’s takes a special bond from all to bring it all together, it can take time to see the end result we are seeing is a winning formula and long may it continue.

[LewisBAFC1901]

A lot has changed since then I didn’t see a way back for him after that game really, the manner of the defeat and way the fans reacted at the end.

Don’t think the fan reaction at the ground was that bad that night the lads speaking to the players give it more of a ‘ let’s not go down this road again ‘ and it ended in handshakes and now we’ve won 5/5

I’d credit them

[McMark]

A lot has changed since then I didn’t see a way back for him after that game really, the manner of the defeat and way the fans reacted at the end.

Don’t think the fan reaction at the ground was that bad that night the lads speaking to the players give it more of a ‘ let’s not go down this road again ‘ and it ended in handshakes and now we’ve won 5/5

I’d credit them

Aye it has to be all in it together for any chance of success.

[Suffolk Blue]

Scott5 - your first sentence is spot on. Murray is really the first manager we've had since Wild who actually operates to a plan. Not a philosophy, a plan. One that includes not just a preferred way of playing, but one that includes a structure and method designed specifically to be effective at this level. Some of us may not like aspects of it but for him, its a proven way of managing.

History seems to have been quite hard on Andy Whing. I don't recall there being that much criticism of him during his half-season stint following the demise of Stephen Clemence (another one who had very good credentials as a coach but IMO, never really got to grips with establishing a defined structure for playing within the confines of EFL2). My own reflection was that Whing did initially tend to "free wheel" with a team that he personally did not really construct. The loss of our midfield "engine" at the end of that season was also IMO, a significant part of the tipping point and from where I was sitting seemed to be accepted at the club with not much more than a shrug of the collective shoulders. And yes I do realise that the situation was complicated by the role of the then CEO, not to mention the ambitions and contractual positions of the players themselves. However, the subsequent lack of vision and planning quickly became very visible from the start of last season.

What then followed was a managerial descent into chaos and farce. When I am at my most critical of the BoD, its never down to what they did or did not invest in financially at that time. It's because it was and always will be their responsibility to establish, control and articulate the vision, strategy and planning processes (including the selection of the manager) from which the club operates. These were visibly lacking. To be blunt, for a period, I thought they seemed to lose control of the club. And it's consequences then played out in public and in the media.

So Murray represents a return to something different. Visibly very different and something that challenges our collective recent experience of what we've come to believe a Barrow manager looks like and sets up his team to play like. After the first half dozen games it looked like this approach might also be doomed. The last few games suggest his appointment was truly inspired. The truth is probably somewhere in the middle. There has clearly been a period where the right players to fit the preferred structure have had to be found and that this has leaked into the season proper. So, the lack of a transfer window in the National League has actually turned out to be a great advantage. Our most recent signings look like they might actually be the better ones.

The challenge ahead involves sustaining this upward movement now that our method of playing has been recognised by our peers as being so distinctive. Teams will inevitably develop methods of countering it. We will probably have to become more creative and flexible. But the collective spirit is returning and even though I'm not perhaps the greatest fan of Murrays style I have to admit that in terms of stabilising the team on the pitch and reversing the descent, he has passed with flying colours.

[Pedro]

Murray ruffled alot of feathers but at the end of the day his heads is on the block.
Need to keep the momentum going a win and another good cup draw.

We have been top of leagues at Christmas and dropped off before.
I am quietly confident we can win this league ..
Boreham wood have still to have a bad patch.

[HenneysKnee]

We have been top of leagues at Christmas and dropped off before.
I am quietly confident we can win this league ..
Boreham wood have still to have a bad patch.

You want to get yourself to the bookies then Pedro lad!