IAN Evatt has made it clear to his Barrow AFC team it is the responsibility of all of the outfield players to start contributing in terms of goals.

The Bluebirds’ run of not scoring since December 29 was ended last Saturday when Dior Angus put them ahead against Bromley with his first goal since joining the club on loan.

Manager Evatt was pleased to see the striker on target in the 1-1 draw and has been delighted with the defensive performances of the team since the turn of the year, which have seen Barrow keep three clean sheets in their last five matches.

However, he is concerned the team are not scoring enough goals, while the fact 19 of their 33 goals in the league so far have come from Jack Hindle and the now-departed Tyler Smith means Evatt is keen to see other players come to the fore in front of goal.

“It’s not just down to the forwards, we need to score as a team,” said Evatt. “I don’t think any of our defenders have scored this season and it’s something we’re working hard on.

“We need to score more goals – it’s as simple as that. We’re defending well, but we’re not scoring enough for the amount we’re dominating games in terms of possession.

“That’s something we’re looking at, something we’re trying to work on and hopefully we’ll see an improvement in that in the coming weeks.”

Evatt would be particularly pleased if that turned out to be the case away to Sutton United tomorrow, where Barrow are aiming to continue their run of just one defeat in their previous 12 matches.

Goals from Hindle and Luke Burgess earned them a 2-1 win over play-off contenders Sutton back in October, with the visitors only pulling one back on the stroke of full time.

Evatt’s squad is likely to be strengthened by Brian Wilson, Lee Molyneux and Kyle Jameson all being available again, while he is hopeful Rhys Norrington-Davies will have recovered from injury in time to feature too.

The Bluebirds must adapt to playing on the 3G surface at Gander Green Lane too, although that is not the novelty it once was with three other teams in the National League having artificial pitches.

But despite them becoming more prevalent in recent seasons, Evatt makes no secret of the fact he does not like them.

“I must say, I’m not a fan of the 3G pitches,” said Evatt, whose side are fully prepared for the challenge nonetheless. “I think, in years to come, there will be the case to show they’re not good for players’ joints.

“I’m not a fan, especially when you’re not allowed to be promoted to the Football League with them.

“But it is what it is, we have to go there and try to execute our gameplan, and beat a side who are doing very well.”