As if the prospect of Barrow away and their potent three-pronged attack wasn't quite daunting enough for a team without an away victory in four months, it's reported that Daryl McMahon's Daggers are heading right into the epicentre of a storm purporting to deliver a deluge of wind and snow to the most extreme ends of the country, which is virtually guaranteed to render the notion of playing positive, progressive football as pointless. This undesirable proposition is dependent on Holker Street and the surrounding areas escaping relatively unscathed from the weather forecast outlined above, but should the game go ahead it will be a huge test for the Daggers and the new-found confidence that's been triggered by the arrival of Daryl McMahon. Since the Irishman succeeded Peter Taylor at the helm, there's been a notable improvement at either end of the pitch, though we're still a long way from being fluid in attack. Improvements have been made. McMahon inherited a team with a severe losing habit and, in the six games of his reign in all competitions, there's only been one defeat which was in the Trophy at Notts County and courtesy of a freak wonder-goal from near enough the half-way line. We've kept three clean sheets in the first four National League matches under the new boss, the same amount as in the entire five months beforehand. Barrow have been an absolute revelation this season and their ascent to the very summit of the National League has been as exciting as it was unforeseen. Under the stewardship of the forward-thinking Ian Evatt, a manager described as 'visionary' in several recent articles, they've played a brand of refreshing, possession-based football that firmly challenges the idea that you can only succeed at this level with a direct mindset and lanky, battering-ram striker. Their threats originate from many sources but it's the trio of John Rooney, Dior Angus and Scott Quigley that have done the damage and fuelled belief that this Barrow outfit can go all the way. Between them, they've scored nearly ten more goals than the entire Dagenham team put together. They're unbeaten at home in four months, but haven't been quite as convincing in recent weeks so maybe, just maybe we can dig deep and pull something off. It'll be a hard ask, but one thing that's guaranteed is that we'll go there and play on the front foot in a committed attempt to win the game, such is the attacking mentality McMahon has implemented. Weeks ago, the idea of us doing anything other than playing for a point away from home would've been inconceivable, so it's a testament to the the coaching staff and players that confidence has risen rapidly (though, in regard to the laughable comments that we can make the play-offs, perhaps have risen a bit too high). Barrow Predicted XI: Dixon, Jones, Taylor, Brough, Barry, Kay, White, Hardcastle, Rooney, Quigley, Angus Dagenham Predicted XI: Justham, Gordon, Croll, Clark, Onariase, Eleftheriou, Robinson, Brundle, Deering, House, Kandi Though we're just a point above the drop-zone and firmly embroiled in a relegation battle, the pressure is still on Barrow - not only as the home side but as the league leaders - to take the game to us. However, the fact that they're not hitting the highest standards recently, coupled with our upturn in form, may just create a perfect storm from which we can claim an unlikely but very timely three points.
Whatever the outcome, let's hope for a committed, determined and passionate performance in which the players leave everything on that pitch. Watching us away from home under McMahon has already been more entertaining than what you would typically see under Taylor, and it's certain that we'll do everything we can to continue that trend at Holker Street. They're unbeaten at home in four months but records like that are there to be shot at; after all, during every campaign we've played in the National League since our return in 2016, we've defeated the eventual champions.
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January 2024
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