PAUL Crarey reckons it's all to play for as Barrow Raiders start their journey in Super 8s opening their campaign against visitors Rochdale Hornets on July 24.

The clash looks set to be a tasty affair with Barrow seeking to gain revenge over the Greater Manchester side who turned them over twice earlier this season at Craven Park - beating them 14-4 in the iPro Sport Cup and winning 18-4 in the league.

But Crarey feels Rochdale can be toppled this time around – especially if the ground is hard and fast unlike the previous two encounters played out in horrible conditions.

The Raiders boss will expect no mercy against a side who have tasted just one league defeat and he who feels have strengthened their defensive structure thanks to his old friend Jason Viller, an assistant coach at Hornets.

But looking ahead to the clash he said: “We couldn't ask for a better home draw for the fans to come down and support us.

“They'll fancy their chances against us, but we haven't played them on a dry track yet. The twice we played them was in absolutely horrendous conditions which probably went in their favour, but if we get a dry, quick track we can play a little bit of football against them. I reckon it will be a really good game.

“I think there is nothing between the two sides, York proved that when they throw a little bit of structure at Rochdale they really struggle. But what we do is tend to lose our discipline with them and get into playing at their game, very physical. We need to focus on us and concentrate on winning.”

Barrow face further stern tests of their credentials in their next games with successive visits to Yorkshire, meeting Doncaster and then York Knights before returning home where they take on Hunslet Hawks.

The Raiders then go on their travels again heading to London Skolars before a final home game against old rivals Keighley Cougars and finishing off with a colossal tie in the South of France against a so far unbeaten Toulouse.

League One leaders Toulouse look virtually nailed on to go into the Championship so Barrow will have to battle it out against the six other sides for that all important play-off final for the second promotion place.

“There are no really easy games from now on in so that will do the squad good,” added Crarey.

“It is always difficult going to Toulouse if you need to win there, nobody has this year, but we will just take every game as it comes, prepare for every game.

“We are not looking too far ahead, we are just looking at Rochdale first, after that it is very difficult to win at Doncaster and York but we have got to go there with a bit of confidence and if we make a good start against Rochdale it is all to play for.

“I feel it won't be all over until the last game for whoever makes the five. We are just going to take every game as it comes, hopefully make the five and then get a chance at the final play-offs.”

Doubts hang over injured impact forwards James Duerden and Andrew Dawson ahead of the run-in while half-back Liam Campbell is still on the road to recovery, but other than that Crarey should have a full squad to select from.

“We will look after ourselves and hopefully come out some of these early games injury free and be solid right to the end, consistent as a team,” said Crarey. “We want to compete and try and win most of our games to make the top five again.”