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Re: Crewe Alexandra v Barrow, match thread

Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2026 6:47 pm
by Barrowfan92
I think the fact our starting 11 had no striker starting today with Cameron on the bench shows that Gallagher probably doesn’t have any confidence in him

He said in his interview with AJ that they are looking for a striker so will see what this week brings

Re: Crewe Alexandra v Barrow, match thread

Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2026 7:28 pm
by bluebird90
If anybody thought a manager was going to come in and change something immediately then they’re sadly mistaken. First game today and it will probably be then end of January before we see any managerial impact.

What we are seeing is a realistic view of where we are as a club. We don’t have the money to go and sign a 15-20 goal striker and even if we did; a) clubs are very unlikely to let one go in January and b) a decent striker will have much more attractive options than a Barrow side languishing just above the relegation zone.

We are a club that will need to provide players with an opportunity. Whether that is young players not getting a game elsewhere, experienced players coming towards the end of a career or players with previous injury issues. Whenever we sign these players, it will be a risk.

I really don’t think we’ve yet to fully develop a clear pathway of how we develop as a club. Everything so far, seems to be temporary - whether it’s the stands, the training ground or food stalls. We binned the academy idea when we came into the league and the idea of having a football training facility within the town for development and training before games seems to have also disappeared.

I’d like to hope that we have a long term plan (10 year) that has three options;
A) How we develop as a club in the football league in terms of stadium, training ground, on the field and in the community.
B) how the plan will be altered should we be relegated or find ourselves in a position of unexpected financial trouble .
C) how the plan will be altered should we find ourselves with a promotion opportunity.

I think sharing this with supporters, players and any potential investors creates time, patience and loyalty. People can see where we are heading and hold the bord to account. I’m not saying we need to have an academy or we need to train in Barrow - but we need to know what the vision is.

Re: Crewe Alexandra v Barrow, match thread

Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2026 7:29 pm
by McMark
https://youtu.be/jBkcXh8KDwA
Paul Gallagher post match interview.

Re: Crewe Alexandra v Barrow, match thread

Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2026 7:44 pm
by Steeley
blue nige wrote: Sat Jan 17, 2026 6:19 pm Defensively we've struggled all season, it has been masked by Stanway performing brilliantly now he's struggling everyone can see how crap we are back there I said it early season playing this system ( back 3 ) will relegate us !, I sincerely hope I'm wrong 😔
We’ve shipped 2+ goals in every game I can recall recently for months apart from Tranmere which now looks more like a lucky result than anything else.

Get a right back from anywhere, play 4 at the back and grind out some shit 0-0s. #theplan

Re: Crewe Alexandra v Barrow, match thread

Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2026 7:54 pm
by xerxes
We didn't play that badly today. Their first goal came just after a foul that prevented us having a clear run on goal - the ref waved play on. On such moments the entire match can swing.

Freddie Anderson was great. Unlucky to get a yellow - it wouldn't have happened if he had been given a free kick a few seconds earlier when he was fouled. I am not usually one who complains much about referees, but today I feel justified making an exception!

Re: Crewe Alexandra v Barrow, match thread

Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2026 8:08 pm
by BAFC1901
olefogey wrote: Sat Jan 17, 2026 5:20 pm
BAFC1901 wrote: Sat Jan 17, 2026 5:01 pm That’s what we get when we hire a charlatan as manager.
Seems a touch harsh after one game, and certainly not what everyone at Preston thinks! Lets give him a few matches, eh?
I do agree perhaps a little harsh and in the heat of the moment.

Hope I’m wrong and he turns out like Evatt but I just don’t see how this appointment works seems a cheap option.

Re: Crewe Alexandra v Barrow, match thread

Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2026 8:43 pm
by Jonty
bluebird90 wrote: Sat Jan 17, 2026 7:28 pm
I really don’t think we’ve yet to fully develop a clear pathway of how we develop as a club. Everything so far, seems to be temporary - whether it’s the stands, the training ground or food stalls. We binned the academy idea when we came into the league and the idea of having a football training facility within the town for development and training before games seems to have also disappeared.

I’d like to hope that we have a long term plan (10 year) that has three options;
A) How we develop as a club in the football league in terms of stadium, training ground, on the field and in the community.
B) how the plan will be altered should we be relegated or find ourselves in a position of unexpected financial trouble .
C) how the plan will be altered should we find ourselves with a promotion opportunity.

I think sharing this with supporters, players and any potential investors creates time, patience and loyalty. People can see where we are heading and hold the bord to account. I’m not saying we need to have an academy or we need to train in Barrow - but we need to know what the vision is.
There isn’t a clear pathway but there is an opportunity to address A B and C. Don’t want to hijack a match day thread with this, but the only opportunity I see is for the club to pursue a shared stadium venture with Barrow Raiders. That would provide the platform needed to fully realise the potential of professional sport in this town. Without that, unless someone’s rollover lotto comes up there’s nothing else but treading water. It absolutely must be looked at. That is the only way we will be an attractive proposition for investment.

Re: Crewe Alexandra v Barrow, match thread

Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2026 8:47 pm
by bluebird90
Jonty wrote: Sat Jan 17, 2026 8:43 pm [quote=bluebird90 post_id=555692 time=<a href="tel:1768678116">1768678116</a> user_id=381]

I really don’t think we’ve yet to fully develop a clear pathway of how we develop as a club. Everything so far, seems to be temporary - whether it’s the stands, the training ground or food stalls. We binned the academy idea when we came into the league and the idea of having a football training facility within the town for development and training before games seems to have also disappeared.

I’d like to hope that we have a long term plan (10 year) that has three options;
A) How we develop as a club in the football league in terms of stadium, training ground, on the field and in the community.
B) how the plan will be altered should we be relegated or find ourselves in a position of unexpected financial trouble .
C) how the plan will be altered should we find ourselves with a promotion opportunity.

I think sharing this with supporters, players and any potential investors creates time, patience and loyalty. People can see where we are heading and hold the bord to account. I’m not saying we need to have an academy or we need to train in Barrow - but we need to know what the vision is.
There isn’t a clear pathway but there is an opportunity to address A B and C. Don’t want to hijack a match day thread with this, but the only opportunity I see is for the club to pursue a shared stadium venture with Barrow Raiders. That would provide the platform needed to fully realise the potential of professional sport in this town. Without that, unless someone’s rollover lotto comes up there’s nothing else but treading water. It absolutely must be looked at. That is the only way we will be an attractive proposition for investment.
[/quote]

Fully agree, ego’s need to be put to one side so that both clubs have the opportunity to thrive.

Re: Crewe Alexandra v Barrow, match thread

Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2026 8:54 pm
by Jonty
bluebird90 wrote: Sat Jan 17, 2026 8:47 pm
Jonty wrote: Sat Jan 17, 2026 8:43 pm [quote=bluebird90 post_id=555692 time=<a href="tel:1768678116">1768678116</a> user_id=381]

I really don’t think we’ve yet to fully develop a clear pathway of how we develop as a club. Everything so far, seems to be temporary - whether it’s the stands, the training ground or food stalls. We binned the academy idea when we came into the league and the idea of having a football training facility within the town for development and training before games seems to have also disappeared.

I’d like to hope that we have a long term plan (10 year) that has three options;
A) How we develop as a club in the football league in terms of stadium, training ground, on the field and in the community.
B) how the plan will be altered should we be relegated or find ourselves in a position of unexpected financial trouble .
C) how the plan will be altered should we find ourselves with a promotion opportunity.

I think sharing this with supporters, players and any potential investors creates time, patience and loyalty. People can see where we are heading and hold the bord to account. I’m not saying we need to have an academy or we need to train in Barrow - but we need to know what the vision is.
There isn’t a clear pathway but there is an opportunity to address A B and C. Don’t want to hijack a match day thread with this, but the only opportunity I see is for the club to pursue a shared stadium venture with Barrow Raiders. That would provide the platform needed to fully realise the potential of professional sport in this town. Without that, unless someone’s rollover lotto comes up there’s nothing else but treading water. It absolutely must be looked at. That is the only way we will be an attractive proposition for investment.
Fully agree, ego’s need to be put to one side so that both clubs have the opportunity to thrive.
[/quote]

Don’t think there’s any ego’s as such, the biggest obstacles is changing mindset, getting naysayers on board and getting momentum.

Re: Crewe Alexandra v Barrow, match thread

Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2026 10:06 pm
by Barrowfan92
Let’s look at it this way

We were all thinking they have had 2 weeks off to work on the problems we were all thinking (me included) we were gonna win today sadly that didn’t happen

But today the new management has seen the problems the team have and now can work on the areas that need improving.

I get a good vibe of Gallagher he seems to speak more honestly than Whing did and I think he might just be what our team needs yes today was frustrating but let’s see what gets done next week and hope for a home victory next Saturday

Re: Crewe Alexandra v Barrow, match thread

Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2026 10:39 pm
by Hadrian
Read this thread and realise where the "little old Barrow" tag is based.

Re: Crewe Alexandra v Barrow, match thread

Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2026 10:47 pm
by HenneysKnee
Barrowfan92 wrote: Sat Jan 17, 2026 6:47 pm I think the fact our starting 11 had no striker starting today with Cameron on the bench shows that Gallagher probably doesn’t have any confidence in him

He said in his interview with AJ that they are looking for a striker so will see what this week brings
I would imagine Cameron will be going on loan if we can get reinforcements

Re: Crewe Alexandra v Barrow, match thread

Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2026 11:18 pm
by blumooncrab
Yeah, Askham United , probably.

Re: Crewe Alexandra v Barrow, match thread

Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2026 7:42 am
by Bombadel
Under Evatt we had the “perfect storm” season, this one is like the “Murphy’s law” season, whatever can go wrong, will go wrong.

Re: Crewe Alexandra v Barrow, match thread

Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2026 9:09 am
by Jonty
MJ Williams 10-12 weeks!! . Probably won’t see him again this season.