UNDER-THREAT boss Darren Edmondson still believes Barrow AFC can achieve a positive National League finish this year to satisfy ambitious owner Paul Casson.

Edmondson’s job is in serious doubt – with a decision over his Holker Street future to be taken this month by Casson – despite Saturday’s thumping 4-0 home win over Torquay United.

At the start of the season, the US-based Bluebirds chairman wanted Barrow to be fighting in the top of half of the table and to be in the ‘play-off conversation’ this term.

In a question and answer session, conducted by the Bluebirds Trust last week, Casson said a 10th-place finish would represent a ‘solid’ performance.

Following AFC’s subsequent win over Torquay, Barrow sit 15th in the table – eight points adrift of the final play-off spot and four shy of 10th position.

Responding to that expectation, Edmondson said: “These are things that we’d already spoken about – myself and the chairman – about could the top eight be realistic, and it would be a solid base from which to build for next season.

“He’s not stating anything that we didn’t know and I still think it’s achievable.”

Casson was asked by the Bluebirds Trust: “Regardless of who the next manager is, what is the board’s realistic or expected finishing position for this season and next?”

The owner replied: “Tenth. Tenth is solid. We’re not in a position to push for the Football League just yet. We’re getting ahead of ourselves at the end of the day.

“We gave ourselves two years to get out of the Conference North, and we did it in one, and we’re sort of paying the price, and to get into the Football League in another year would be ridiculous.”

Responding to the same question, Barrow’s chief executive Austin Straker said: “I would say, mid-table, with improvement next year.”

Casson insisted to the trust that the switch to a full-time operation this season was necessary, after being asked about the move and to assess whether the team are fulfilling their pre-season goals.

He said: “Well you have to go full-time if you’re serious about the business, it’s not a part-time industry as you try to approach the Football League. It’s been less than fulfilling, to date.”

The trust also asked Casson if he is as dedicated to the task of getting Barrow into the Football League as when he first took over, or have his ambitions decreased as the challenges of running a football club have increased.

Casson added: “Of course (I’m still as dedicated).

“I think teams in the lower half of League Two are as good as teams in the Conference, I don’t think there’s that much difference.

“Look at the FA Cup, there are shocks all over the place. It’s just a huge monetary hurdle to get over, really, and everybody sees that as the Holy Grail.

“We’re going for it, some of the evidence of which you’ll see in the coming weeks.”