Andy Whing admits Barrow ‘not overly great’ despite easy win at MK Dons

Barrow boss Andy Whing was pleased to see his side beat MK Dons 3-0 despite feeling that his team did not deliver their greatest performance.

Aaron Pressley gave Barrow a first-half lead before the same man scored a second in the opening stages of the second half.

A late third by substitute Tyler Smith confirmed the Bluebirds’ victory as they picked up a first win in three outings and mathematically confirmed their survival in League Two.

Despite picking up the three points in Buckinghamshire, Barrow boss Whing felt there were plenty of elements with his side’s general performance that they could have done better.

He said: “To be honest, I didn’t think we were overly great. I thought it’s probably one of the poorest we’ve been really in recent weeks. There was a lack of intensity of the game.

“But I’ve said we have to be more clinical and ruthless and we were. When we had a chance, we were ruthless and scored. But it was a strange game with a strange feeling around the stadium. I don’t think we were overly great or the game was great.

“We got the job done and there were some decent performances within that. Our shape was pretty good but I just thought we were a bit too passive, and the first 15 minutes summed us up as we couldn’t get going.

“But the one opportunity to go forward and have good play we had, we scored. That settled us down and fortunately we went on and were quite comfortable in the end.”

MK Dons’ caretaker-boss Ben Gladwin was left to reflect on a miserable week, with his side having suffered three consecutive defeats and conceded 10 goals along the way.

He said” “Something’s going to have to shift because there’s still five games left and a lot of football still to be played.

“The confusing thing is that large portions of the game look relatively good with the ball. But when we go 2-0 down, everything looks horrendous after that and there’s just no doubting that. Before that point, a lot was quite good.

“Because of the context of how the season is going and the current state of the group, it just feels horrendous. There’s no place to hide.

“It’s absolutely not good enough and everybody will be well aware of that. I just hope the club can now get someone in to help the boys out.

“It would make my life easier if I just came out and said they’re not running around and not trying. They are trying but they’re not in a great place. We’ll continue to try and help them until the last moment.”