Barrow AFC.net

Suffolk Blue wrote: ↑Mon Oct 12, 2026 11:57 am 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.

Suffolk Blue wrote: ↑Mon Oct 12, 2026 11:57 am 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.

HenneysKnee wrote: ↑Mon Oct 12, 2026 12:12 pm

Pedro wrote: ↑Mon Oct 12, 2026 12:01 pm 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!

McMark wrote: ↑Mon Oct 12, 2026 11:32 am A cheeky Domino’s (other brands are available).
Non of these things cost a penny....

HenneysKnee wrote: ↑Mon Oct 12, 2026 10:51 am

Matty wrote: ↑Sun Oct 11, 2026 11:10 pm 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

Bingley Blue wrote: ↑Tue Oct 13, 2026 7:18 pm

HenneysKnee wrote: ↑Mon Oct 12, 2026 10:51 am

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

As well as decent signings recently, some of those signed earlier have now found their feet after a few games under Murray. Oakley in particular is now receiving plaudits when earlier in the season his ability was being questioned.

Main Stand SeasonTct wrote: ↑Mon Oct 12, 2026 12:47 pm

Suffolk Blue wrote: ↑Mon Oct 12, 2026 11:57 am 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.

A great post. The last paragraph mirrors my thoughts too