We haven’t changed our style of play

Sep 10 2009 by Nick Hilton, Liverpool Echo

JASON McATEER insists there is nothing complicated about the kind of football Tranmere are attempting to play this season.

The pass and move methods introduced by new manager John Barnes and assistant McAteer during the summer have become a hot topic of debate inside and outside the Rovers dressing room.

Barnes and McAteer, former internationals who were teammates at Liverpool in the 1990s, have given the players the chance to put forward their views on the issue.

Meanwhile Tranmere fans are becoming more anxious – and vocal – about the team’s poor start to the League One campaign.

McAteer said: “People are talking about a new system but I would not necessarily say it was a system. We are still playing 4-4-2. We’ve not gone to 3-5-2 or anything like that. It’s not rocket science.

“What we have done is try to change the way we play in the sense of showing the players they have more options. We are giving players different ideas, that’s all.

“We have not asked them to do anything they can’t do. They recognise that and they are giving their feedback, which is great. It is important you ask your squad what they feel and the gaffer has certainly done that. We are not telling them to do anything.

“We have asked them to do it and we are asking them to do things they are comfortable with.”

Tranmere will be looking to halt a run a of four consecutive League One defeats when they take on Walsall at Prenton Park on Saturday. Yet less than a month ago there was a mood of optimism around the club after Rovers reeled off a 4-0 Carling Cup win over Grimsby and a 4-2 League One success against Gillingham in the space of five days.

McAteer added: “In the games against Grimsby in Gillingham we were absolutely fantastic and all of a sudden we have had a really difficult time.

“People have started pointing the finger, asking if this is the right thing.

“But the lads can do it. They know they can do it. It is down to all of us now to pull together.”

McAteer recently completed a UEFA coaching badge after attending a course in Ireland with former Liverpool teammate Steve McManaman.

He said: “The courses can teach you so much. But fortunately for me, I’ve played at every level of the game and tasted everything from non-league football and the old third division with Bolton Wanderers to playing in FA Cup finals with Liverpool and appearing in the World Cup finals with Ireland.

“That’s the kind of experienced coaching badges can’t give you.

“Some of the qualities that are vital in the game can’t be coached.

“Some things have to come from players on the field. These are the things we have been expressing to the team.”

Meanwhile, Ronnie Moore could be heading for a swift return to management – little more than four months after his surprise dismissal by Tranmere.

Moore has quickly emerged as the fans’ favoured candidate to take over team affairs at Rotherham United.

The manager’s post with the Millers became vacant when Mark Robins left to formally take charge of south Yorkshire neighbours Barnsley yesterday.