On the eve of the new League Two season Barrow have been predicted to finish ahead of county rivals Carlisle in the final table.
Gabriel Sutton, a respected pundit and blogger has been assessing the 24 clubs for the Bet Victor blog and has come up with his final placings with Barrow 16th and Carlisle in 19th.
He has Tranmere Rovers to be crowned champions with Mansfield Town and National League champions Stockport County joining them in automatic promotion.
The play-off places will be filled by Salford City, Newport County, Leyton Orient and newly promoted Grimsby Town.
Assessing the Barrow prospects, Sutton writes: “Barrow played 44 seasons in the Football League in their previous stint, but if they want to replicate that longevity in the modern era, they will have to improve on their opening EFL efforts.
“After claiming the National League title, the Bluebirds finished 20th in League Two in 2020-21 and 22nd last season, claiming a meagre 44 points on the latter occasion.
“The club have since made steps to improve their standing, however, firstly by hiring a Sporting Director in Iain Wood who has top contacts, and secondly by appointing Pete Wild as manager.
“Wild worked wonders in two caretaker stints at Oldham in extremely difficult circumstances, then led low-budgeted Halifax to two National League Play-Off campaigns in three seasons.
“The 37-year-old represents Barrow’s chief selling point and the hope is that with improved management, the existing squad is shown to be capable of more than what was delivered last term.
“The (technically Cumbrian but) spiritually Lancashire club had an appealing array of midfield options in 2021-22, with Robbie Gotts’ positive movement, Tom White’s creativity and John Rooney’s attacking knowhow, but it all lacked balance.
“With vibrant, box-to-box talent Harrison Neal arriving on-loan from Sheffield United, non-league proposition Solomon Nwabuokei and veteran Sam Foley joining the ranks, Barrow should now have a tenacious side to them.
“Wild’s squad does look somewhat lopsided, however: it contains a plethora of strong midfield options, left-sided defenders and experienced centre-backs, but is short of favourable options on the right of the back-line (although a trialist is expected to sign) and arguably up top.
“Make the right final additions and the Bluebirds could find their song, without reaching the clouds just yet.”
