DEFENCES win leagues, or so the theory goes.
And in John Askey’s current backline the men involved have quickly evolved into a highly-effective unit.
Braintree failed to break down Macclesfield Town’s new-look back four while Woking huffed and puffed but were also frustrated.
And one of Macc’s summer recruits, Scott Barrow, is in no doubt as to the quality of the sizeable teammates to his right.
“Obviously I’ve got two big lads next to me (George Pilkington and Luke Waterfall) who are winning all their headers,” said the left-back, whose rehabilitation following a year-and-a-half on the sidelines is coming on in leaps and bounds.
“I think the back four have been brilliant, especially as we’ve not had that long to work together yet, in the three games we’ve had two clean sheets so we’re doing well, you can’t argue with that, or with seven points from the first nine.
“We’re still unbeaten with two clean sheets, you can’t really ask for any more.”
Former Swansea trainee Barrow impressed John Askey sufficiently in pre-season for the Macc boss to take a punt on him and now that he’s taken on the number three shirt vacated by Danny Andrew, there’s a possibility that he’ll be looking to get forward – never at the expense of his defensive duties though.
“I started off as a left-winger when I was a kid back in my Swansea days,” he added. “I love getting forward but I also love defending. They converted me into a left-back, I enjoy it there but when the gaffer wants me to go forward a bit more I won’t hesitate, even though my preferred position is left-back.
“I think he knows that, when the ball goes forward I can’t help myself, I’m trying to go overlapping and help out up there as much as I can.
“My main job is to defend first and go forward secondly, I didn’t get to go forward a lot against Woking but in games like that you have to think of a clean sheet first.
“Scoring goals and attacking is definitely second, the clean sheet is more important to me.”
Something else important to the 25-year-old, who’s spent most of his career in the Welsh Leagues but has Conference experience with Tamworth, is game time.
He suffered a cruciate ligament injury that put him out of action for 18 months.
And now that he’s back on the pitch Barrow’s enthusiasm is there for all to see.
It’s more than understandable, given that he’s been no more than a frustrated onlooker for month after agonising month.
“I’m settling in well, I was really happy to sign for Macclesfield,” he added.
“It’s been a long time out injured for me, about 18 months, so I’m just glad to be back playing football and I’m enjoying it.
“I think I’ve made a good start, I’m feeling quite sharp thanks to my physio, he’s kept my sharpness up and I feel fitter.
“I’ve still got room for improvement, but as I say, I’ve been out for 18 months so I’m gradually progressing but you always think you can do better or do more, that’s just me.
“Everyone’s critical in this game but I’m happy that my fitness levels are good, I’ve played a few 90 minutes now so it’s all good really.”
