John Barnes: Tranmere players must share blame

Sep 16 2009 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

BELEAGUERED manager John Barnes says his players must share the responsibility for Tranmere’s wretched start to the season.

Fans chanted “Barnes out” at the end of a 3-2 reverse to Walsall at Prenton Park that left Rovers with a record of six defeats in seven League One games under the former Liverpool and England winger.

“I understand the fans frustration,” Barnes said. “We will keep working. But I am not going to take all of the responsibility.”

Barnes blamed poor judgement and lack of quality in the team’s performance for a fifth straight league defeat.

He said: “I am not going to take the responsibility for everything when you have performances and decision-making out there that players take which cost us goals.

“They have nothing to do with tactics, nothing to do with me getting the best out of the players, nothing to do with confidence. It’s just bad decision-making.

“I understand when things are not going well and you are lacking confidence but they are just bad decisions. The experienced players should know better.”

Barnes would take little comfort from a Tranmere display that showed more spirit and commitment than they could muster in recent heavy defeats to Leeds, Charlton and Carlisle.

He said: “I saw heart and desire in terms of them tackling and running around but we never showed quality at all.”

Tranmere, ahead through Chris Shuker’s 11th minute strike, fell behind to goals either side of half-time by Darren Byfield and Troy Deeney. They drew level just after the hour mark when Alan Mahon’s shot took a deflection off new signing Kithson Bain on its way into the net. But they were caught on the break by Deeney’s 83rd minute winner.