By Deadly Submarine
August 22 2009

John Barnes was thankful that Leeds misfired in front of goal on a number of occasions but expressed his disappointment at the performance of his side as Rovers dismally lost 3-0 at Elland Road on Saturday afternoon.

Following Tranmere's appalling 3-0 defeat at Elland Road on Saturday afternoon against Leeds United, Manager John Barnes was disappointed with the performance of his side but left thankful that the damage wasn't twice as bad as the scoreline showed.

Barnes told Tranmere Player.....

"We allowed them to put on that performance.  They're a very good side and they played very well.  They're strong and physical and they won second balls everywhere. We were second best to everything."

"We said we wanted to keep the crowd quiet in the first 15 minutes but in the first seconds we made a mistake at the back which put Beckford through. That was a bit of a shock, and not until we went 2-0 down did we start passing."

"I've said to the players that we've either got to believe that is the way we can play, which we have done at times this season, or we're going to have to change the way we play. But I was very impressed with Leeds."

"You have to show the right commitment, attitude or desire and we didn't. The positive to take out of it that it wasn't six or seven, because it should have been."

"We are allowing too many opportunities and that is something we have to address. A lot of it is to do with keeping the ball. If you keep the ball the opposition can't score."

Barnes Post-Match: "It Could Have Been Six or Seven"

Discussion started by Total Tranmere (IP Logged), 22/08/2009 22:31

Total Tranmere
22/08/2009 22:31

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barnes out
22/08/2009 22:57

Barnes out
Barnes out
Barnes out

how can he think it's positive that Leeds could have won by 6 or 7 but didn't? No team should be better 6 or 7 goals better

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Mikeymoto
23/08/2009 00:28

Hmm 2 wins, 2 losses (including Grimsby for cup), too early to call for a sacking.....have faith and get behind the manager!

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mikeyptrfc
23/08/2009 06:14

thats 3 defeats, yeovil, mk dons and now leeds. we have premiership bolton next then current runaway leaders charlton, what are we gonna get out of this season? relegated. hope peter johnson is satisfied with his appointment after sacking ronnie for finishing 2 minutes away from play offs and the low attendences at pp, there even lower now, bring back johnny king

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Tim (Leeds Fan)
23/08/2009 08:55

Firstly, I'd like to express my sympathy that having got rid of one of the truely honest, decent, hard working managers (that actually did pretty well last season), your board have elected what can only be described as a show pony. It smacks of yet another footballing decision made by non-footballing people

I didn't get to the match yesterday and only heard a few bits on the radio, but it sounded (from the punditry) like Beckford alone should have six.

Coming to Elland Road at the moment is going to be tough for anyone as we're flying, but for a team "in transition" it's going to be a massive ask.

I just hope for your sakes that Barnes can get his ideas across quickly, and that they're good ideas, as I'd hate to see you struggle because of a poor board decision (we know ll abouttha remember).....

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Matty_1985
23/08/2009 10:08

Someone has posted it ona nother thread, but the players we have are trying to play a higher standard of football. A good point was made also about in the winter when Prenton Park is muggy, the passing game will go out of the window, because it will be impossible to play.

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TT Admin
23/08/2009 10:51

The key quote for me is this...

"I've said to the players that we've either got to believe that is the way we can play, which we have done at times this season, or we're going to have to change the way we play."

If he's going to change the way we play it will have to be sooner rather than later. I still think the passing style he wants works well at home but away from home it's been a huge failure so far.

The problem is asking the players to play one style one week and a different style the next - I don't think that would work.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:08:23:10:52:42 by Deadly Submarine.

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EW
23/08/2009 10:54

I was at the match yesterday and Baarnes is right that it could have been 6 or 8 (or 8) as leeds hot the woodwork 6 times. I am a Leeds fan and watched last year as our players tried to play a total passing football game under Gary McAllister that they didnt understand and thats how Tranmere looked yesterday. Nobody knew what they were supposed to bedoing. Go on like this and it could be terminal. John Barnes has to realise he is at Tranmere and not Liverpool with a team of £20m footballers. Getting rid of Ronnie for Barnes looks like it was a big mistake

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BAC White
23/08/2009 15:02

Have the same view as you EW about Gary McAllister. You Tranmere Lads are now in the same boat with Barnes.Nice idea to play passing football but no plan b if it doesn't work.Remember Histon last year in the cup

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