Barrow AFC manager Ian Evatt believes his players are now showing greater responsibility on the pitch and are displaying their leadership qualities in different ways.

One thing Bluebirds supporters may be looking out for in today's match at Notts County is who wears the captain's armband, with club skipper Josh Granite out with a broken collarbone and Jason Taylor missing with fractures to his cheekbone and eye socket.

Centre back Sam Hird is fighting to be bit to face the Magpies, but if he doesn't make it then that's three leaders in the squad AFC will have to do without, but players such as John Rooney and Matt Platt have shown they are capable of taking charge themselves.

Evatt said: "Leadership isn't just about being vocal - I think you can have different types of leaders and examples and different captains.

"They may not be the most vocal, like Josh Granite or Jason Taylor and probably Sam Hird are, but they might lead in the way they perform, like making a great tackle or making a good pass.

"It's a cliché, but we do need 11 leaders out on the pitch because once me and Pete [Atherton] give our final messages, it's down to the players when they step over that white line.

"They all know their roles and responsibilities, they know their individual jobs and if they do that to the best of their abilities, then we've a great chance of winning football matches."

Platt has been an emerging leader in the team since signing on loan from Blackburn in September, despite being only 22 years old, setting a great example at the back.

Evatt said: "Platty is quite vocal and you see the size of him and how dominant he is when he comes through and wins those big headers or those big tackles, but it's also his calmness when he's defending. It makes everyone around him calm."