Midfielder Jason Taylor believes ‘team in transition’ is a term Barrow AFC can’t hide behind any longer, as they look to bring to an end a three-game losing streak at Harrogate Town.

Manager Ian Evatt made sweeping changes to the Bluebirds’ squad after being appointed as manager during the summer, with Taylor, 31, one of 15 permanent signings made.

Their form in the opening months of the campaign has been inconsistent, even though the football being played, for the most part, has been very watchable.

Results have dipped in recent weeks, however, with the shock 3-2 defeat at Chorley in the FA Cup being followed by a tame 2-0 loss at home to Barnet last Saturday.

Taylor said: “There’s only so long you can say you’re in transition.

“Obviously we got punished for our mistakes at the weekend and we are a newish group, but we’re now quite a way into the season, so we can’t be using that as an excuse anymore now.

“We have to make sure that we’re doing it week in week out on the pitch.”

The bounce of being promoted last season carried Harrogate to surprising heights in the early part of the campaign – their first in the National League – as they went unbeaten in their first 11 games.

Simon Weaver’s side go into tonight’s clash fifth in the table and just three points behind leaders Leyton Orient, who are the only visiting side to have won at their Wetherby Road ground so far.

Town are the third of four away league fixtures Barrow must play on an artificial surface this season, with their previous two at Maidstone and Bromley both ending in defeat.

Taylor said: “We know it’s going to be difficult, but we know that, on our day, we are a match for anyone in this league.

“It’s just about making sure we bring it to them and obviously they’ve had a tremendous start to their season, so we know that if we don’t come with our A-game then we’ll be in for a long night.

“I think all of the lads are aware of that and then there’s their ‘3G’ pitch – there aren’t many in this league, but it’s the same for everyone when they go there.

“I wouldn’t like to play on them week in week out, if I’m honest, but it is what it is for both teams and it’s just one of those things you get on with.”