Preview: Barrow vs Bromley

That goes some way to explaining why they sit bottom of League Two, with just eight games remaining to save themselves from the drop back to the National League.

Earlier this month, midfielder Sam Foley was appointed interim player-manager and entrusted with the unenviable task of stopping Barrow’s rudderless ship from running aground.

Since his appointment, they have drawn one and lost two, conceding eight goals in the process.

That Barrow have had five different managers this season speaks to a club without a clear identity, clutching at straws in an attempt to find a solution.

This all points to the Ravens being clear favourites in this clash of top versus bottom. But make no mistake, Barrow need three points every bit as much as Bromley do. They have a game in hand on Newport and Crawley in 22nd and 21st, and are just 2 points away from them. One win could change the relegation conversation entirely.

Barrow’s woes are underpinned by their inability to score goals, with their attack statistically the second-worst in League Two. They have only scored two goals or more twice this year and have been shut out entirely six times.

For that reason, if Barrow are to do well against Bromley, they need to score first, and statistically need to score twice. If they fail to achieve those markers, they can expect to drop points. 

In the summer, seventeen players arrived at Holker Street while fourteen went in the opposite direction, with a further seven players joining in the January transfer window.

This speaks to the lack of identity I mentioned earlier.

Beleaguered as Barrow might be, Andy Woodman will know that his side can take nothing for granted. After a long trip north, they will have to be as professional as ever to get over the line. 

Barrow have favoured a 4-4-2 under Foley, so it will be interesting to see how Bromley line up against them.

In the 1-0 win over Colchester, when Marcus Dinanga was introduced at half-time, Bromley briefly switched to a 4-4-2 before eventually transitioning to a wing-back system.

Given their familiarity with the shape, the Ravens could go like-for-like, but I think it is more likely that they will start in their preferred 4-2-3-1, retaining the flexibility to change things if necessary.

Having not had the complication of midweek football to navigate, the only question mark is how many of Bromley’s injured platoon are fit to return to action. 

Given Jesse Debrah left Hayes Lane in a medical boot last Saturday, we can assume Zech Medley will start in his place. I also sense there is no need for Bromley to start with a midfield three of Charles, Arthurs, and Hondermarck, so the question is which of the latter two will be the designated finisher.

The rest of the team likely writes itself.

Andy Woodman should feel confident that as long as his side handle their business, the three points will follow.

If that comes to pass, the Ravens will move to 82 points with six games to play. Even the most pessimistic of Bromley fans would be hard-pressed to come up with a scenario where they miss out on promotion.

However, let’s save those assessments for afterwards and focus on the three points at hand. 

Smith

Ifill Sowunmi Medley Odutayo

Charles Hondermarck

Whitely Krauhaus Pinnock

Kabamba