Tranmere boss John Barnes can’t explain Lions mauling

Oct 7 2009 by Our Correspondent, Heswall News

John Barnes

MANAGER John Barnes admitted neither he nor his players could explain the collapse of Tranmere’s resistance in a 5-0 rout at the hands of Millwall.

Rovers went four goals down in the first 27 minutes at the New Den and went on to record their heaviest League One defeat in almost five years.

Barnes described Tranmere’s performance as “terrible” and added: “We allowed Millwall to play through us.”

Yet the mauling in South London followed hard on the heels of two positive results and performances – a 1-1 draw with Colchester and a 1-0 win at Wycombe – that had lifted spirits and optimism at Prenton Park.

Barnes said: “Millwall are a good side but we made them look like the best side in the division during the first half. We conceded a bad goal in the first few minutes and maybe that set the trend. In possession our passes went astray and that can happen if you have a bad day. But there is no excuse for being completely disorganised out of possession, which we were.

“That was a disappointing thing for me because we had defended well in the previous two games.

“I can’t, and the players can’t, explain their performance in the first half. In the second half it was much better – but maybe Millwall took their foot off the gas.”

Tranmere’s eighth defeat in 11 League One games under Barnes brought renewed criticism from supporters. Many of the diminishing band of travelling fans who made it to South London left before the end while those who stayed called for the manager’s dismissal.

Last week an online petition, signed by more than 1,000 fans, was sent to chairman Peter Johnson, who watched Rovers’ latest reverse from a seat at the front of the directors box.

Barnes says he “empathises” with supporters. He added: “I understand them. At Wycombe they were cheering because we put in a good performance.

“Now after a bad performance and we’ve lost 5-0 they are booing. It is something I expect and something I hope to change by winning matches and putting on better performances.

“I can’t focus on whether the fans boo me or not. I have to focus on getting us to win matches. All I can do is work to try and get the best out of the players.”

Tranmere’s afternoon was made even worse by the dismissal of centre-back Marlon Broomes for two bookable offences and the banishment from the touchline of assistant manager Jason McAteer.

Broomes, cautioned early in the first half for a foul on Gary Alexander, received a second yellow card and a red for bringing down Steve Morrison late in the game.

McAteer was dispatched to the stands in the 81st minute after the fourth official called the referee’s attention to something that was said on the touchline.

McAteer had been complaining about a penalty claim for hands that was ignored by referee Graham Scott. Barnes said the officials suggested a complaint was made against McAteer for inciting the crowd.