David Dunn wants Barrow AFC to be a dead-ball danger when they start life as an EFL club.

The Bluebirds boss believes a set-piece threat needs to be a vital part of his side’s arsenal this season.

Dunn saw Matty Platt score from a Lewis Hardcastle free-kick delivery in last weekend’s friendly victory at Southport.

It was the kind of goal the new boss wants to see more of in the 2020/21 campaign.

“Set- pieces are a massive part of the game, both for and, obviously, the ones against,” Dunn said.

“I hate conceding from set pieces but, as I said on the bench on Saturday, it’s great when you score from them.

“It’s going to be a massive part of our game this year that we can be good in both boxes.”

Dunn is continuing to prepare his new-look Barrow side for their first game of the new campaign – Saturday’s televised Carabao Cup trip to Derby County.

The build-up to the Bluebirds’ return to competitive action after last season’s historic promotion is almost over and Dunn believes a punishing pre-season will equip his side for the long haul ahead.

“Fitness is the main thing from the last few weeks and is the main thing I look at,” he said.

“I want to see them running. At times they make runs in friendlies that they might not in a [competitive] game; they’re trying to get their legs, and find their feet.

“But I’m seeing loads of positive things. I don’t want to get too carried away, because it’s going to be a long, hard season for us, but I’m really positive about what I’ve seen so far.

“We will keep working away [ahead of Saturday]. The players are buying into what we’re trying to say to them.”

Dunn has not ruled out further additions as the clock ticks down to the big kick-off but says getting the right blend will be key.

“There’s a fine line between getting players in and getting a settled squad for that opener,” said the boss, who is assessing Josh Kay, Patrick Brough and Bobby Burns’s fitness ahead of the big kick-off.

“But they’ve got to be the right ones. We’ll see how we go and it’s all about having a lot of competition for places, and everyone wanting to start that first game.

“I’ve always said we’ll look to bring good players in if good players become available – if I feel they will help us, we’ll do it.”

Dunn is also conscious that Barrow’s loyal supporters will not be able to see the early games of such an historic campaign in person.

But the boss says he has felt a strong spirit at the club since he was appointed as Ian Evatt’s successor, and knows the fans will remain a positive part of that.

He said: “Since I walked through the door I’ve got a real feeling about the community at Barrow; it’s really endearing to see that everyone plays their part in it.

“The supporters have waited 48 years to get back into the league and it’s a real shame they’ll be missing the first couple of games, but hopefully all being well we can start seeing them back on the terraces soon.”