The Two Paul's Columns from the Barrow v Torquay United Programme

[Ralph]

THOUGHTS FROM THE CHAIRMAN
By Paul Casson, from the Barrow v Torquay United programme

A third of the season remains and it is still all to play for. We have a minimum of 17 games left in all competitions and a maximum of 25. That's a lot of football in a relatively short period of time. We have tried to plan accordingly but you just never know. I have been asked if I have a priority, League versus Cup? I don't.

At this point the games all pretty much look the same. We play Tranmere away in the Trophy followed shortly thereafter by Tranmere at home in the League. I doubt either team will take either day off. That's a story for another day, however, as today we welcome Torquay United to Furness Building Society Stadium and they will bring with them former recent Barrow player Myles Anderson. He made an impressive debut for the Gulls against Macclesfield, and we wish him and his team-mates all the best for the rest of the season, as they seek to cement a mid-table position. Torquay, of course, was Paul Cox last stop as manager before landing at Holker Street, and today will be his first opportunity to welcome his former team here. It's a long, old trek up here so to those few Gulls supporters who have made the trip, well done and I hope you enjoy the day.

We have some new faces taking their bow at Furness Building Society Stadium today. They will all be needed as this sprint to the end of the season continues. Many are in the Ryan Yates mould, where their teams have long-term plans for them at a higher level, but are willing to allow them to gain invaluable experience in the full light of competition. One of the benefits of being a competitive team pushing for honours is that it is attractive to young, gifted players who hopefully relish the challenge of a promotion push and a Cup run.

At the end of the day, quality tells. And it would be remiss of me to not to mention the magical efforts of Ross and Shaun that broke Aldershot’s hearts. When Ross Hannah is 100 years old, he will still vividly remember hitting that shot. They are moments we all live for.


THE MANAGER’S VIEW
By Paul Cox, from the Barrow v Torquay United programme

It was a good point at Aldershot last Saturday, but we have got to cut out our erratic performances. We have got to regain the consistency that we showed earlier in the season. We have to hope that games like last weekend’s will reignite us. I asked questions of the players at half-time and got a good response. We re-found our work ethic, our desire and our ability to take the game to a good side. It was a great point at the end of the day because Aldershot is not a great place to visit, as more and more clubs are finding this season.

We eventually threw everything we had at them. We had nothing to lose. We had to go for it rather that sit back and accept defeat. With only nine men it was pretty tough but it was a great free-kick by Ross Hannah that gave us the equaliser. I thought we played more on the front foot, a bit more like our old selves. I was please for both of our scorers. It was food for thought looking at our front three - Hannah on the left, Bennett down the middle and Shan Tuton on the right. We looked menacing. I was pleased for our travelling supporters who backed us. To finish so well after we started so badly was what those fans deserved.

I honestly believe some clubs are looking at us as a bit of a wart on the nose of this League, but we have come on in leaps and bounds in 18 months and I don’t want us to stop now. I have to plan ahead for our remaining fixtures but that isn’t easy because this group baffle me some times.

Look at the Lincoln game, where I thought we were out of this world and beat what I see is the top team in this Division at the minute. We won handsomely. If we show the consistency in the second half of the season we showed in the first half, and get rid of some of the skeletons in the closet, we are going to be challenging for a Trophy Final place and a place in the play-offs.

We were already looking at players to bring in - and the staff knew that - and had been let down on deals on occasions. Suddenly with two men suspended it became a priority. It had to be done because we want to be around where the big boys are. Yes, sometimes it is frightening to look at the company we are keeping. We just need to keep showing the doubters that we really deserve to be there.