IMPROVEMENT is already in evidence for Barrow AFC boss Paul Cox as he looks for his team to keep progressing at the start of the National League season.

Tuesday's 0-0 draw against FC Halifax Town at Holker Street was a step up from the opening-day defeat at Dagenham and Redbridge.

Cox was expecting there to be issues with such a new squad so early in the season, but he is ready to solve those problems.

“I think the first 45 on Saturday were as far away as I want us to be,” said Cox. “We looked disjointed, there was no shape in the side. But I think these two games were what I was expecting.

“Saturday was a little bit disjointed with the ball and without the ball. On Tuesday, I think we looked a little bit lethargic and less dynamic in the final third.

“These are problems I am going to have to solve over a quick period of time now, and I think, as the squad evolves and we get people back to fitness, a little bit more competition for places, then that will come.

“The players worked extremely hard tonight and put in a good shift. They battled for everything, but what we needed was a little more sophistication. Sometimes, when you try to bash the back-door down, it doesn't happen; sometimes you just need to turn the key in the lock.

“One or two players were trying too hard on Tuesday. The harder they tried, the harder it became.

“I'm not too concerned – I would be concerned if the players weren't putting in a shift.

“I see the progression in us, which I knew was going to happen with a new group of players, with how late some of the players came in. We were going to have problems, and the ship wasn't going to be sailing as calmly as it was last year.

Cox knows the areas of improvement and has discussed them with assistant Micky Moore as he looks ahead to big games against Woking, Solihull and Dover in the next nine days.

“After Saturday, I spoke in depth with Micky about what I want now, and the blueprint is out there for where we are going to evolve,” he added.

“We play a certain shape at the minute because of the dynamics in the squad, but I want to be very positive in terms of the progression of the squad. I've got some really big decisions to make and I'm looking forward to making them.”