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Greenwood previews Barrow

Dewsbury Rams head coach Lee Greenwood spoke to the media ahead of the trip to Barrow on Sunday.

On the upcoming game he said: “It is our first proper away game and it will be interesting to see how our players prepare for it and dig in. It’s a very tough place to go is Barrow, I expect their crowd will be wanting to see a reaction as will Paul from his players. I think they will be expecting to beat us and its up to us to prove them different.

“When you look at the investment they have put in and then you see us. We have probably lost four or five of our best players last year. Then you look at the lads we have brought in this season and then you look at our results this season. A defeat to York at home and a lot of points scored against us vs Swinton albeit in a win. So as a Barrow fan they probably will look at it saying they should beat us. I think our fans would expect us to beat Barrow at home as well, that home advantage does carry a little bit.”

Greenwood though is confident going into this weekend believing that the win over Swinton has done the team’s confidence some good.

He commented: “I think we took some small steps last week and progressed a little bit to where we want to be, I didn’t think we were too bad against York in large periods.

“We have shown some decent controlled organised defence but we need to keep that going for a lot longer than we have done. I’m guessing that is an issue the team has had for a few seasons now.

“I think regardless who we are playing we need to look at us and what we can improve upon. We are looking at the opposition and seeing what they can throw at us, but generally we are looking at us. So some things we aren’t really looking at week to week and other things we are.

“I am confident though, if we can produce what we have from the first two games, I think we have got a good chance of winning.”

Greenwood has given a chance to those players who haven’t really had much first team playing time this season in his 19 man squad. He also isn’t afraid to still dip into the loan market if needed.

“There will be a few lads getting an opportunity this week.” He said. “As a team we are improving and getting to be where we want to be quickly. There are individuals in there that need to improve themselves but also contribute to what the team is doing.

“There are some people really trying in training and forcing our hand a little bit, so there are a few injuries this week which has meant a few opportunities have come up. There are a few lads who haven’t played yet this season and this is their chance. I’ve told them the ball is in their court really. I don’t want to put too much pressure on them and with the numbers we have it means players are waiting in the wings, so it does mean these lads have to perform.

“When any player becomes available that I feel can improve the 17 not just coming in as a number. We’d be daft to not get them in as they would probably just go to a rival. Regardless of how many people we have contracted, if I feel they can improve that team and come in with no drama then we’ll look at it.

“I have always got one eye on next season and not just the here and now. Without giving too much away the guys coming in on loan could be potentials you don’t know. We try to get lads in to not just give game time to, to give back. There is a chance to possibly get them for the whole season and then maybe talk about next year as well so there is method in the madness.”

Finally Greenwood spoke about the good relationship he has with Barrow head coach Paul Crarey, the two have come up against each other before in League 1.

Greenwood said: “I went up against him in my League 1 days with Gloucester, he is a nice man is Paul, he spoke pretty highly of me when I was at Gloucester and we definitely gave them a game to be fair. There was at least one occasion where we should have turned them over up there.

“I have a lot of respect for what he’s done, it’s hard to get out of that league whoever you are. He did well to get them up and then for them to stay up, he is a good coach and I have a lot of time for him. They have invested a lot in this years squad and they don’t obviously want to be anywhere near relegation.”