Barrow boss Adam Murray warns players of losing mentality

Barrow manager Adam Murray has warned that players still carrying a losing mentality from last season may have to leave the club. After back‑to‑back defeats to Hartlepool United and Hornchurch, Murray said he will not tolerate a mindset of being used to losing.

50‑50 split between new and old

Murray, who arrived at Holker Street after guiding Kidderminster Harriers to promotion, said the squad is now split 50 per cent new signings and 50 per cent players who were there during the club’s relegation campaign. He added that the club cycled through five managers last season and that “I hate the 50 per cent that’s old.”

A blunt ultimatum

The manager was blunt when he said that some of those who remain must leave if they cannot change their outlook. “There are people in the group that need to go, not because they’re bad players or bad people, but because they’re still carrying a mindset of ‘they’re used to losing,’” Murray told reporters. “That affects confidence, it affects belief.”

Losing is a new experience for Murray

Murray admitted that losing was an alien experience for him personally. “I’m not used to losing. I’ve been very fortunate the last four years. I’ve won consistently, so this is a new thing for me,” he said. “I’m not going to make losing a habit.”

Pre‑season form masked deeper issues

The manager also warned that the positive pre‑season form had masked deeper problems. “As soon as pressure comes on, all the old habits creep back in from last season,” he said. “My challenge, if I’m being honest, is making sure that doesn’t spill into the new players that have come in, because they’re not of that mindset.”

Upcoming match against Harrogate

Barrow will visit fellow relegated side Harrogate on Saturday in search of their first win of the campaign. Murray said the club’s mindset must change if they are to turn that result around.

The final message

Murray’s final message to the squad was clear: “If you can snap out of that mindset, you can be a part of what we’re going to do. If you can’t, then you need to leave, because it becomes a poison.”