NEW Barrow AFC assistant boss Neill Hornby recognises there is a lot of work to do at the Bluebirds.

The former Burton Albion assistant arrived at Holker Street on Friday to be the right-hand man for boss Micky Moore.

He came into a side who had gone seven games without a win, to sit only one place and one point above the National League relegation zone.

That was before their FA Cup exit at Shaw Lane, where they fell to a 2-1 defeat to the Northern Premier League high-fliers, the Bluebirds producing one of their worst displays for some time.

It is a worrying situation for AFC, who must now focus on climbing the table, with the prospect of a repeat of last season's run to the third round of the cup gone.

Speaking before Barrow's crash at Sheerien Park, Hornby admitted the team were not only one place above the relegation without just cause, but saw the potential to turn things round.

“The table doesn't lie,” said the 51-year-old. “We're down where we are for a reason. But what I've seen from watching games and watching training, there is a great atmosphere, and with a bit of luck – because we have been very unlucky recently, we've dominated some games and conceded goals at the death to beat us – I think we'll be fine.

“I think it's a very good squad, and from what I can gather and what I have seen, the atmosphere shows there is a very good feel about the group.”

Hornby gave up a role as a first-team scout for Championship club Ipswich Town to come to Barrow.

He had been with the Tractor Boys since departing Burton Albion – where we worked under Gary Rowett, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Nigel Clough, and where he had helped the team to two promotions.

He sees the chance to work with Moore as a good opportunity, and said: “It had to be right for me. I was a scout at Ipswich Town, so it had to be right – I've given up a very good job, but I don't see it as a gamble at all.

“At the end of the day, I'm a football person, and I want to be out on the grass and hopefully build things here with Micky.”

He added: “I get on with Micky. I'm going to challenge Micky – we'll bounce off each other. I've got experience – I won League Two as a first-team coach with Burton Albion, so I've got that experience, and also working as a first-team coach in League One, I was instrumental in helping Burton get up into the Championship and where they are now.

“I've got all that coaching experience. I've got contacts throughout the game – part of my role at Ipswich was going to watch hundreds and hundreds of under-23s games, I've got catalogues of players.

“On the playing side of it, I can bring experience, and on the coaching side and the recruitment side – much like Micky.”