Since Saturday's dismal defeat at the hands of Runcorn, I have been thinking about what has gone wrong. I, for the life of me, can't put my finger on it - or my whole hand for that matter. What has happened? Why have we gone from a team who could pass it's way to Timbuktu and back to a bunch of individuals who can't string a couple of short passes together? Not only that but we lack the fight to make up for the poor ball skills. Players don't look 'up for it' and want to take the easy option all too often.

I don't for a minute believe that players come to Barrow for an 'easy buck'. They may not be as proud about playing for Barrow as the fans would be, but they aren't that unprofessional so as just to turn up, take it easy and pick up their good wages. Players at this level play because they want to play football - not to make money, that surely isn't the case.

What has changed since we were beaten by Orient? On the playing front - very little, off the pitch - even less, so maybe it is in the stands that the problem lies. There are not many places in non-league where the crowd are so hostile....towards their own players. When a player plays a bad ball, he may expect a little criticism but at Holker Street at the moment it is not criticism he receives, but abuse. That isn't going to help, is it.

Maybe it is the Barrow way. I am not old enough to know how it has always been but I remember the day we were presented with the Unibond Championship trophy. A fairly old 'supporter' left ten minutes before the ending with a parting comment of "Bloody rubbish this lot - I'm not coming next year". How are you supposed to please people like this? He did return - but not until the season was well underway - and I'm sure it was only because he missed the moaning he could get off his chest.

Everyone has a right to criticise but not to abuse - which must get the players down. Confidence is a great thing. Sadly once it is lost at Holker Street, it is very difficult to find again.


(After reading through what I have written, it seems very much like a rant. Well, so be it. I began writing to discuss different ideas as to what has gone wrong but it seems I got a bit carried away. I do believe that other factors are involved, but to me, the above is the common cause of an extended bad run.)
Tuesday 23rd January 2001

Friday 26th January 2001.

Again, thanks to everyone who voted on the Kenny Lowe poll. The result show that King Kenny has the support of the fans. 88% of voters registered that Kenny Lowe is the correct man for the job, leaving just 12% who feel that someone new should be brought in.

It is good to see that the supporters are behind the manager and believe that he can turn around the club's recent bad fortune. Good luck Kenny!