IAN Evatt knows from his own playing days what Barrow AFC’s young loan players will be experiencing as they try to establish themselves as senior professionals.

The Bluebirds boss was loaned out to Northampton Town when he was making his way at Derby County, enjoying a successful 11-game spell with the club.

Now starting out on his career as a manager, Evatt has made good use of the loan market since taking charge of Barrow, bringing in several promising players on temporary deals from clubs at a higher level.

Tyler Smith is perhaps the best example, having scored 10 goals in 23 Vanarama National League appearances before being recalled by Sheffield United and loaned out again to EFL side Doncaster Rovers.

Wigan Athletic prospect Luke Burgess, West Bromwich Albion’s Kyle Jameson and another Sheffield United player in Rhys Norrington-Davies are still at Holker Street making an impact, with Dior Angus – recently signed from Port Vale – aiming to play a part too.

And boss Evatt is fully aware of what it is like for them coming out of their comfort zone to unfamiliar surroundings.

“It can make or break you – it can make a man out of you,” said Evatt.

“I think we’ve been lucky in terms of the ones we’ve brought in this year paying off.

“Tyler Smith is a good example where he came in, did the business and ended up getting a move to a League One team.

“It just shows if you dedicate yourself, come with the right attitude, produce the goods and perform to the right level then you can definitely kick on.”

Angus will have had a bit more time to get used to his new surroundings without the pressure of having to perform in a game last Saturday as the Bluebirds were not in action due to scheduled opponents Leyton Orient being in FA Trophy action.

The focus is now switches to tomorrow’s National League clash at home to Bromley, who sit just one point behind Barrow in the standings in 12th.

The fact there was little to split them in October, with AFC losing 2-1, suggests this match will be close-fought too, although Evatt has reason to be optimistic.

“We’re very close in the table and we’ve got very similar records,” said Evatt.

“We got beaten narrowly down there, but I thought we dominated the game in terms of possession, so hopefully we can do that again on Saturday.

“I think we have progressed since then. It was a brand new team at the start of the season, I was a new manager, the club needed completely revamping.

“I think we’re doing that, I think we’re on the right track, so hopefully we can continue with our progression.”