BARROW AFC’s new players learnt a lot about themselves and their team as they fought out a 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest Under-23s.

Manager Paul Cox watched as a starting-11 featuring six men recruited in the summer did enough to win against the Forest youngsters.

Bedsenté Gomis notched a second-half equaliser in an improved display after the interval.

Asked what he has learnt from the game, Cox said: “I think you could spin it round, and ask ‘what has the squad learnt from the game today?’ At half-time, it was the most productive talk we have had as a group.

“We played against a very good side today, with excellent young players, and I never expected anything other than the game we got.

“Looking at ourselves, there were question-marks over our roles and responsibilities, and our understanding of what we do in possession and what we do out of possession.

“The talk at half-time took up the full 15 minutes, but I got the feeling that learning had taken place with some of the individual performances in the second half.

“We asked a lot of questions of a very good side, with very good players. There seemed to be a little bit of a growing belief and an understanding of what we are.

“I think the players got something out of that. Not just fitness, they got an understanding of what we are.”

Cox is aware his players do not yet know each other as well as he would like, given that the large number of trialists still involved in pre-season means he has been unable to use only contracted signings.

Stressing once more that is an issue that needs addressing quickly, he added: “It’s hard, because we have had so many trialists on board, to get that unit, to get an understanding of each other. There have been so many trialists who come in and out of the games, what I would now like to do is get the players that we want and need in and get them to get an understanding now, because the season starts in two weeks.

“It has been tough, because what we want and what we’ve got have been fine lines. The squad does need strengthening – it’s as simple as that. I have to make some decisions on even some of the contracted players we have got, because we can’t afford to carry anybody in what is going to be a tough season.”

Cox was also able to glean a lot from the Forest sign which included former Bluebirds loan player Ryan Yates and striker Gerry McDonagh, who has impressed the AFC boss in the past.

After the success of the loan moves for both Yates and goalkeeper Tim Erlandsson last season, there is the potential for further players to head to Holker Street from the City Ground,

“You look at the calibre of some their footballers, and I said to our lads before the game that their centre-forward was on loan at Cambridge last year in League Two (McDonagh), Yatesy has played in League One, (Alex) Lacovitti is a Scottish Under-21s international, who has played League Two,” said Cox. “The majority of their squad will go and play League football.

“A lot of credit has to be given to the management team they have got. I’ve got a lot of respect for them, because they produce good players and good teams.

“There was an understanding of what there was out there in the game today, but also an understanding that they will come here and we can take a really close look at some of the quality they have got. If it’s possible at some time, it would be a win-win situation if we have a good relationship and they can help us out with players. They get the benefit that the player improves.”