Barrow v Barnet match thread

[Jonty]

We are 19th out of 24 teams in the average attendance table on 3150.
There are 11 teams in the league averaging over 6000. Over a season these teams will be pulling in excess of £1.5m more than us in gate money alone,

Of the 9 teams currently below us in the table, 8 are bringing in bigger crowds. We are probably the smallest team in the league in terms of a 10 mile population catchment area and resources.

We are doing unbelievably well, given the competition in the league.

[Suffolk Blue]

We are 19th out of 24 teams in the average attendance table on 3150.
There are 11 teams in the league averaging over 6000. Over a season these teams will be pulling in excess of £1.5m more than us in gate money alone,

Of the 9 teams currently below us in the table, 8 are bringing in bigger crowds. We are probably the smallest team in the league in terms of a 10 mile population catchment area and resources.

We are doing unbelievably well, given the competition in the league.

I think I'm right in saying that, net of away supporters our gate today was within a dozen or so of the last game (Shrewsbury). As has been referred to before, we'll lose somewhere between 30-50 off the comparative average simply by not playing Carlisle or Morecambe or indeed Donny. So we need not just to look at the headline numbers.

Secondly it should be remembered that on most bookies odds this afternoon we actually started the game with Barnet odds-on. This was mentioned on the Not The Top Twenty betting podcast on thursday when a pundit chucked out the stat that Barrow had not gone into a home game with the opposition odds-on in 76 games. This afternoon's odds were set obviously on the basis that the game would be played 11v11. So to go through all of that this afternoon and still avoid defeat is in itself pretty significant irrespective of how it was achieved.

This is me trying to look for positives. I would admit however that there is another part of me that reflects that whenever we find ourselves in a positive sequence or groove when it looks like we've worked out our best 11 and got them on the pitch and playing close to their optimum, we always find a way of shooting ourselves in the foot or feet as it happened last week also. The fact that we've taken 4 points from the last two games against very decent opposition having played with one man fewer for about 50% of the playing time is quite remarkable.

Is their a statto out there that can identify the last time we avoided defeat in consecutive games having been red carded in both games? There's even part of me that wonders whether we'd have taken those points if we'd maintained a full compliment. Every now and again we get reminded that whatever else we are, this club is not normal.

[McMark]

Looked in total control until MJ saw the red mist he let himself be suckered into that red and let himself and the team down. It happens we are all human beings, he is going to be a big miss for our next three games after Tuesday though.. Josh Gordon rightly our MoM but closely followed by Wyll Stanway what a reaction save by the way. I too thought that was that when they went two up but a bit of luck and resilience we found our way back to a deserved share of the spoils at the end.

[Barrowvianbedlam]

I cannot disagree. Given the publicity the club gave the game with the digital advertising board and the posters promoting the game they are probably left scratching their heads thinking what more can they do.
The novelty of being back in the EFL has definitely worn off for some this season and the attendances numbers have to be a concern for the owners.

Trouble is when it's wet or cold like today people watch it on their dodgy sticks someone just showed the sending off on Facebook and his tag says top contributor that sums up people in Barrow unfortunately!

Unfortunately in times where everything is increasing in cost and wages stagnating these things will happen. Over 20 quid for a ticket, playing not particularly a big team in shite weather is only going to have negative consequences on the attendance

[Jonty]

That close range reaction save to put it over the bar was as good as any he’s pulled off in any game. The lad is keeping us in games, great reactions and comes for the high balls.

[Rushy]

Dean Brennans post match is worth a watch on YouTube.
He was doing his nut for most of the match in the dug out as well.
Very amusing.

[McMark]

Dean Brennans post match is worth a watch on YouTube.
He was doing his nut for most of the match in the dug out as well.
Very amusing.

He does like a rant does DB but refreshing to hear. I’m sure the Barnet players won’t see it that way though.

[WalneyOne]

Watched the highlights to enjoy it again.
Absolute class from Barkhuizen to wrong footing 2 defenders then slide rule pass to Hemmings who couldn’t sort his feet out.
Looks like the chance has gone then Newbs BANG and it’s in.
Slice of luck but the move deserved it .

[DA52]

Stanway is keeping us in games with some outstanding saves. Today was no exception and I was right behind the shot from the Barnet lad that rattled the crossbar. Actually, Stanway got a hand to it to deflect it up. An incredible reaction. His value must be rising and no doubt he will be on the radar of some top clubs looking to invest in an up and coming young goalkeeper.
Good luck to him and I hope we will get a great deal when he eventually does move on.

[Pedro]

Never been so pleased with a home draw! Barnet are a decent side, certainly too good to play against with 10 men for most of the match. At 1-2 I thought we could have collapsed completely, but we are getting some luck which had deserted us earlier in the season - Barnet hitting the bar, then Newby's shot going wide until two deflections put it in the net.

Fully deserved MoM for Josh Gordon.

I cannot help to think that the old Barrow pre Kelly arrival would have folded.Andy Whing will learn alot off this unassuming man and they make a good team.
It has to be said MJ Williams needs to look at himself.
A experienced professional let his team mates down.
If he had landed one on the player fair enough but he should know the Nancy's playing now will fallover at the first contact.

Wyl Stanway is outstanding.
Joss Gordon must be the hardest working outfield player by a mile.
We need to have a run in the cup to bring money in.
The poor deal with Sky has bitten the lower league clubs in the butt.
Let's hope we get the win next week.

[saltcellar]

Never been so pleased with a home draw! Barnet are a decent side, certainly too good to play against with 10 men for most of the match. At 1-2 I thought we could have collapsed completely, but we are getting some luck which had deserted us earlier in the season - Barnet hitting the bar, then Newby's shot going wide until two deflections put it in the net.

Fully deserved MoM for Josh Gordon.

I cannot help to think that the old Barrow pre Kelly arrival would have folded.Andy Whing will learn alot off this unassuming man and they make a good team.
It has to be said MJ Williams needs to look at himself.
A experienced professional let his team mates down.
If he had landed one on the player fair enough but he should know the Nancy's playing now will fallover at the first contact.

Wyl Stanway is outstanding.
Joss Gordon must be the hardest working outfield player by a mile.
We need to have a run in the cup to bring money in.
The poor deal with Sky has bitten the lower league clubs in the butt.
Let's hope we get the win next week.

Andy Whing in his interview with Adam, said they made substitutions at half time, similar to what they had done last week at Walsall, but obviously it's horses for courses sometimes.
He said Craig Pead and Rob Kelly were brilliant on the sidelines changing formation a couple of times.
After the 2nd goal he was afraid we might have gone to 3 or even 4-1 down, so changed us to a 4-4-1 formation.
We then got better.
I think we have an excellent management team now with Rob's addition.

[Hadrian]

Unfortunately in times where everything is increasing in cost and wages stagnating these things will happen. Over 20 quid for a ticket, playing not particularly a big team in shite weather is only going to have negative consequences on the attendance

Real wages in UK are 1% higher than a year ago (ONS) and Furness has higher than average NW wages, together with lower living costs (LA figures).

A full-price ticket at BAFC is the price of a modest meal out with a drink.

Though temperatures have dropped this last week and yesterday was breezy, it was a bright, sunny autumn day.

Sympathies with MJ Williams. We have all acted instinctively at times in a way we aren't subsequently proud of.

Some very strong individual efforts yesterday but it was above all a battling team performance, showing grit and determination.

[Main Stand SeasonTct]

Unfortunately in times where everything is increasing in cost and wages stagnating these things will happen. Over 20 quid for a ticket, playing not particularly a big team in shite weather is only going to have negative consequences on the attendance

Real wages in UK are 1% higher than a year ago (ONS) and Furness has higher than average NW wages, together with lower living costs (LA figures).

A full-price ticket at BAFC is the price of a modest meal out with a drink.

Though temperatures have dropped this last week and yesterday was breezy, it was a bright, sunny autumn day.

Unfortunately there does appear to be some apathy in the town towards professional sport that charge admission prices. The rugby saw a drop off in attendances last season that's despite it being a summer sport and the team performing heroically at times and punching well above their weight in the Championship. So much so they have decided to change their home games to a Saturday nigh in a bid to boost income .
Yesterday gate at Holker Street was poor and there is no getting away from that. We appear to have lost around 300-500 fans this season. We are far away from being the dearest club in the league .

[Hadrian]

Enjoyed the Holker Street end giving the stewards the run about over a spare ball eventually used to stop an attack from Barnet . Well done

Perhaps those who enjoyed that will be clubbing together to pay any consequent fine for BAFC that might be forthcoming from the EFL?

[barrowaberdeen]

That's true but the only place in the UK with more wages to living conditions inequality than Barrow is Tower Hamlets.

Anyway the game. Great determination, I thought we were buried. Stupid from MJ as he is absolutely key to the way we play.

Brilliant Stanway, Gordon, Raglan who are going to have to carry us through a tricky tie.

Thought our crowd were good towards the end. Entertaining blood and thunder.