MANCHESTER United had Fergie Time, MC Hammer had Hammer Time – now Paul Casson believes Barrow AFC can benefit from Coxy Time.

While United’s extra factor came in the perceived addition of extra minutes at the end of games when they were seeking a winner or an equaliser, and MC Hammer’s entire life appeared to be encapsulated by his catchphrase, Bluebirds owner Casson sees the Paul Cox effect being a big winter plus.

With Barrow riding high in the National League and still in the FA Cup, it has been an impressive start to the season for the side and their manager.

Traditionally, Cox’s sides have made their moves up the table from around Christmas onwards, having started steadily but not spectacularly – he won the Conference title with Mansfield when the Stags were 10th going into January.

The man himself has often spoken of his belief that things only start to get real at the turn of the year, and this season Barrow have put themselves in a prime position to make a significant surge if that is the case, sitting three points off the top in third place after their win at Dagenham and Redbridge on Saturday.

Casson certainly believes his manager is about to weave his magic – saying the players are full of confidence and urging the supporters to revel in the moment.

“From the start of the season, there was a lot of anticipation within the camp,” said the Texas-based businessman. “Not so much outside, because I think the supporters and the town were more wait and see. But within the group, right from the start, there was a certain inner-belief about what we had here.

“There was a certain tension within the group, the desire to demonstrate what they had. Now, I think they have achieved to the point where they can take a bit of a deep breath, sit down, look in the rear-view mirror for five seconds and admire. We’re okay, we’re third, we’re unbeaten in forever, we’re in the second round of the FA Cup and we even got through the Lancashire Senior Cup.

“We’re perfectly poised. If somebody had offered us this position at the start of the season, we would have taken their hand off.

“It’s very exciting. Now is the time to build – this is Coxy Time! This is the time of the year he loves, coming into the winter and the turn of the year when men are men and everybody else is scared. It’s a fantastic time, and I hope everybody is enjoying it.

“I just want people to enjoy themselves. In our long history, 115 years, these times don’t come along very often. Once they are gone, they’re gone, so enjoy it.”