Barnes Post-Match: “It Was Entertaining and Exciting”

Rovers Manager John Barnes was upbeat but also disappointed at certain aspects of his side’s 4-2 defeat of Gillingham in Coca-Cola League One yesterday afternoon at Prenton Park which saw Tranmere record their first League win of the 2009/10 season....

After two home wins inside a week and eight goals scored, it would be fair to expect Rovers Manager John Barnes to be satisfied with the weeks work done by his squad.  However in his post-match press conference yesterday, Barnes was indeed satisfied with the win but disappointed with some of the factors that went along with the three points.

Barnes told the Official Tranmere Rovers Website......

"It was entertaining and exciting, but I was disappointed with us in the first half.  Gillingham are a strong, fit side and when we were 1-0 up they took control of the game.  We kept giving the ball back to them.  At 1-1 there was only one team going to win it."

"We have to have the belief in what we're doing because if we're going to play that way players are going to have to accept the ball in tight positions."

"In the first half we put too many balls into the channel that Ian (Thomas-Moore) and Craig (Curran) weren't going to get on the end of.  Every time the full backs got forward we looked dangerous, but if we play the way we did in the first half the full backs won't get forward much."

Manager John Barnes was Upbeat but Critical after the 4-2 defeat of Gillingham

The Manager also praised the contribution of young striking substitute Terry Gornell who netted Rovers' third goal of the afternoon....

"Terry Gornell came on and showed a great attitude. He and Craig (Curran) are vying for that position.  Ian (Thomas-Moore) is the captain and Michael Ricketts has signed, so Terry could have thought his time was up and sulked but he showed a great attitude in training and in the game."

"We have to get Michael Ricketts fit because he hasn't had a real pre-season. We can't say what's going to happen, Kithson Bain isn't here yet and has to get his visa stamped so won't be for one, two, three weeks...If the strikers are doing well and scoring goals then they'll be in the side."

"We are scoring goals but we aren't keeping the ball up front at times. As to say what's going to happen when Michael Ricketts is fit and when Kithson Bain is here and fit, I can't really say."

"We will be working Michael hard...if he plays in the Reserves he will train the same day.  Marlon Broomes is here for the month...we'll have to work him as well while he's playing in the Reserves."