DARREN Edmondson insists it is too early to make a proper judgment on his Barrow AFC squad and called for unity ahead of today’s home clash against National League rivals Southport.

The Bluebirds, who will travel to struggling FC Halifax Town on Monday, head into the bank holiday weekend aiming to inject momentum into their campaign, having picked up just four points out of the maximum 15 available so far this term.

Barrow’s squad has already been hit by injury and illness this season. But with the likes of star striker Andy Cook targeting a return from injury today, they will now be hoping for better luck on the fitness front (3pm kick-off).

Despite Southport and Halifax occupying the National League’s bottom two positions ahead of the division’s latest round of matches, the AFC boss played down the importance of his side’s two upcoming clashes.

“We’ve got to just treat them like any other game,” said Edmondson.

“You don’t start building things up as being big games after five.

“The main thing is let’s judge what we’ve got in the squad when everybody’s fully fit, when the players are hitting top form and have a bit of confidence.

“At this moment in time, you have to just make sure you grind results out while you are getting people back to full fitness.

“If you are winning games or picking up points when you’re a little bit behind squad-wise, then that shows good character and that will help going forward when everybody is fully fit.

“So there’s always pressure on every single game. Every game is a must-win, but there’s no particular added pressure after five.

“There have been circumstances that have been out of our hands and we’ve had injuries.

“I think what I’d say to the fans is – stay with the boys, trust them and then we can start judging them when everybody is fully fit and ready. Then we will no doubt be a tough team to beat in this league.

“At the moment, what we’ve all got to do is knuckle down, support the lads, get behind them and we’ll see their battling characteristics.

“And we’ll all pick up points together.”

Ahead of kick-off, Barrow sit fifth from bottom, while winless Southport prop up the table after collecting just one point. But they only trail Halifax due to their inferior goal difference.

“We need to be pushing for points,” added Edmondson.

“In our two home games we’re unbeaten, so we need to keep that run going and that will set us up nicely and with confidence, ready for Monday’s game.

“But there are no easy games, regardless of where people are in the league table at the moment.

“It’s a fine line between top and bottom at the moment. And as much as we’ve been a little bit down on ourselves and cursing our luck, etc, I’m sure the same is happening with Southport.

“At this stage of the season people haven’t hit top momentum or top form.”

Edmondson indicated his new attacking midfielder, Benjamin van den Broek, will make his Barrow AFC debut today.

When asked how excited he will be to unleash van den Broek – either from the start of the game or from his substitutes’ bench – Edmondson said: “Extremely, he can play in a number of positions attacking-wise.

“He’s a very big and strong boy so that is advantageous to us.

“He knows the game, he’s played it at a higher level all his career. And I think it’s good for the football club, he’s an international footballer so he brings a lot with him.

“He knows how to play the game, so that helps with the overall game management of the squad, if you’ve got more experience in there.”

At this stage Edmondson says that ‘barring a catastrophe’ over the weekend he does not envisage making any more signings before the transfer window shuts at 6pm on Tuesday.

Barrow AFC under-18s will kick off their Floodlit League campaign by hosting Stockport County under-18s at Holker Street on Tuesday night (7.30pm kick-off). Adult tickets cost £2, under-16s get in free.