Barrow: We've been '˜chasing our tail'

Barrow could only watch on as Latics failed to see off a relatively ordinary Cardiff side at the weekend, to all-but secure their immediate return to League One.

Only a freak series of results over the final two weekends can save them from a fate that has looked on the cards for quite some time – certainly before Barrow took over from Warren Joyce last month.

Back-to-back wins over Rotherham and Barnsley briefly raised hopes of another ‘Great Escape’.

But Barrow admits it’s been a case of to much to do, and too little time in which to do it.

“I’ve enjoyed aspects of being in charge, but I haven’t enjoyed the fact I’ve been chasing my tail all of the time,” he acknowledged.

“We’ve not been in control of our own destiny, although we’ve obviously been in control of the games we’ve played.

“I have to say I have enjoyed the games and I have enjoyed the work we’ve done on the training ground.

“But at the end of the day, it’s still not your project in its entirety.”

Barrow did everything he could to rouse a response from his side, making three more changes before the game and throwing on all three of his substitutes in play.

Sadly he was unable to call on striker Omar Bogle, who’s missed the last four games with a thigh problem, while defender Jake Buxton also failed a fitness test.

“It was one of them, Jake could have had a jab,” revealed Barrow.

“I was taking a chance with Morgs, and I couldn’t do it with Jake as well.

“There was an outside chance of Omar playing, but the more we talked about it with the medical people, it wasn’t happening.

“The scan the other day wasn’t clear, and it wouldn’t have been fair. It would have been suicidal really.”