A TOUGH start to the National League season awaits Barrow AFC manager Paul Cox and his side as Aldershot come to town tomorrow.

The Bluebirds are looking to emulate the opening day of last season, when they beat Dover Athletic 2-1, by getting off to a winning start (3pm kick-off).

But Cox knows it will be a tricky proposition against a side who, like his own, finished in mid-table last season and are aiming to better that in the coming campaign.

“There are never any easy games at this level now,” said Cox, whose only injury doubts are over Danny Livesey and Liam Hughes. “I think the league in general is tougher than it was last season – the big boys have strengthened and the teams who have come up are, I think, better than the teams which have gone down.

“I'm intrigued as to how the season will pan out, because there are a lot of teams throwing a lot of resources at wanting to be successful this season.

“It will be a very tough opener and we have a very tough start, but I don't think there are any easy games.”

Cox has spent the past five weeks preparing his side for the National League season, with an impressive 1-0 home triumph over Carlisle United the pick of the performances.

But the Barrow boss is delighted the season is finally here and the real action can start, saying: “I'm over the moon that the season is here. I don't like pre-season at the best of times – it's a nothing period in the football calendar. It's about conditioning and getting the players mentally right for the season, but even then you're playing competitive fixtures with nothing at stake apart form getting into the right mind-set.

“It's tough sometimes, because you can never gauge where you are. Most people in the business now look at your first 10 games where you will gauge where you are against your proper competition.”

Aldershot head to Holker Street with 22-year-old former AFC Bournemouth midfielder Josh Wakefield having become their latest signing yesterday.

He follows the likes of Fulham left-back Tom Richards – who has joined on a youth loan until March – and ex-Macclesfield and Kidderminster Harriers striker Matthew Barnes-Homer in joining the Shots.

However, they will be without striker Charlie Walker, who has damaged his ankle ligaments.

Manager Gary Waddock shares a similar outlook to Cox on the season starting, and told the Farham Herald ahead of the trip north: “It’s a difficult test, but it’s one that we’re looking forward to. The games mean something now – it’s all about results, not preparation and fitness. It’s about picking up points.”