IN the film Any Given Sunday , Miami Sharks head coach Tony D'Amato was known to opine: "On any given Sunday you're gonna win or you're gonna lose. The point is: can you win or lose like a man?"

It is a sentiment which would perhaps chime well with Barrow Raiders head coach Paul Crarey - although he would also note you can draw as well, his side having done so three times this year.

Regardless, the fact that any given Sunday in the Betfred Championship can yield one of those outcomes is even more pertinent heading into the second phase of the season following the split in the division.

Aside from Featherstone Rovers and - even with a number of departures - Leigh Centurions, the Super Eights section of the competition sees the closely-matched part-time sides scrapping it out for either a place in the Championship Shield semi-finals or to avoid relegation.

The latter is the sole focus for Barrow, at least at this stage, and first up after a week off is the visit of bottom side Rochdale Hornets tomorrow.

The Raiders have already beaten Rochdale on their home patch this year, winning 20-6 during the regular season. However, they only had a 4-0 lead at half time before two tries from Joe Bullock helped seal the win.

And even though his squad are rested, revitalised and looking a lot stronger in terms of injuries after a much-needed break, Crarey knows how much it can be down to who is the best on the day and how you react afterwards.

"It's on any given day," said Crarey, channelling his inner D'Amato. "Rochdale went to Dewsbury and won, and that's something we didn't do even though we were leading with not long left. They closed the game out and they only got beaten (at home) by Toronto by one point, so they're no mugs.

"If we get the win, we've got a foot in the Championship and if we don't we'll go into the next game and try to get the wins we need.

"It's going to be very difficult for all of us, but you've got to go out there and give it your best shot, and this week has put a bit of a smile back on everyone's face's.

"They've had a bit of time off, worked really hard and know what the task is ahead."

If Crarey is like D'Amato, then opposite number Alan Kilshaw is probably more akin to Squadron Leader Roger Bartlett in The Great Escape , trying to mastermind a way out in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

The Hornets sit five points from the safety spot of 10th place - currently occupied by the Raiders - and their only wins since that victory away to Dewsbury Rams in May have been against the other side in the bottom two, Swinton Lions.

Kilshaw is no stranger to overcoming the odds though, guiding Rochdale to a surprise win away to Toulouse Olympique in the 2016 League One title decider and then to retaining their Championship place last year.

"We've had two really successful seasons and this year we've had a bit of a dip," Kilshaw told the club's YouTube channel.

"It's been well-documented and there are reasons around that, and we've made mistakes as a team and coaches as you do each season.

"I do believe we can stay up; it's going to be tough, we probably need four or five wins, but it's not out of our reach. We've had really tough back end (to the regular season), but I think it will stand us in good stead for the Shield."

Crarey is well-aware of how much Rochdale's desperation to claw their way out of trouble makes them even more dangerous opponents, with them being almost able to play with nothing to lose at Craven Park.

But Dewsbury, above Barrow on points difference, and Sheffield Eagles will be looking over their shoulders as well, so there are more than just one or two teams with everything still to play for.

The return of several players from injury means Crarey has been able to spend this week at training running full contact and defensive drills on the back of heavy home defeats to Toulouse and London Broncos.

Along with wanting to restore some pride, it is an area he knows the team cannot afford to be lax in.

"The Super Eights is a massive challenge for all of the teams," said Crarey. "Some are desperate, some are more desperate than others, but we've got to be desperate and get some early wins if we can.

"There are no excuses, we're going to give it our best shot and we think the weather is going to be poor, which is going to be a leveller, and we'll pick a side which can deal with that as well.

"We're looking forward to what will be an exciting seven weeks - one way or the other."

One way or the other, it will also come down to what happens on any given one of these seven Sundays.