Foley defends Barrow players as relegation looms

Midfielder Foley, 39, has made 138 appearances for Barrow, with seven of them coming this season.

"The players, since I've come in to do this, have done everything I've asked," he told BBC Radio Cumbria.

"They wanted it. They've shown they're more than capable at times. It's just inconsistency."

Foley believes the pressure of the threat of relegation weighed heavily on the squad.

"I feel sorry for the fans. They're showing their frustration and what it means to them," he said.

"It's not that players go out there and deliberately play poorly, but when you get bogged down in all the negativity, it can be difficult. Maybe the pressure just got to them in the end.

"All the lads are trying. They're trying their hardest. I can't fault them - the few weeks I've been doing this, they've been brilliant. Sometimes the situation gets too much.

"These are young guys, they're young footballers, and some of them have never experienced this before. It's totally alien to them and it can be challenging to overcome those hurdles.

"I'm gutted for the club and gutted for the lads, because I know them personally. We've just got to move on now and try to build for what comes next."