TRFC Fans Forum Summary

By Deadly Submarine
April 21 2006

Total Tranmere brings you an overview of what was discussed at the Fans Forum on Thursday evening at Prenton Park in which Lorraine Rogers, Brian Little, John McMahon and Jason McAteer answered question asked by supporters. We look at what was said and what it may be interpreted to mean.

 

 

The forum ran in the expected format of supporters writing their questions for the panel down on a slip of paper and handing it in.  These were then sorted into some kind of order so that all questions of a similar topic were asked at the same time to avoid repeats.

 

In the summary below, not all the questions and answers will be covered but the important ones will and the interpretation of the answers is my own opinion and not necessarily the opinion of Total Tranmere as a whole.

 

Lorraine took an opening question from compere Derek Jones regarding the timing of the AGM as it had taken place during the day rather than in the evening meaning some shareholders were not able to attend before the questions moved in the direction of Brian Little with regard to his playing staff.

 

Renewal of Theo Whitmore’s Contract and Departure of Paul Hall to Chesterfield:

 

Brian made it clear that Theo’s contract had been agreed in the summer, prior to his return to Jamaica and it was after this that Theo had problems getting back into the UK because of his Visa.  The question that was not raised was why Theo wasn’t often in the first team or reserve team playing squad upon his return to Prenton Park.

 

Brian simply passed off the Paul Hall question with the comment that Hall was offered a deal by Chesterfield that ‘at the time’ Tranmere could not match.  Little said he had hoped that Hall would hold on a little longer before making a decision but in the end he opted to leave for Chesterfield.

 

Signing Cast-Offs and Progression of Youth Players:

 

Brian agreed that this season the ‘blend’ of the players hasn’t been right (with the word blend being used on at least five occasions) and he said that he thought the term ‘cast-offs’ or ‘reject’ was unfair on the players it was referring to.

 

John McMahon answered the question about the youth players and in particular mentioned a young midfielder called Michael Jones who McMahon reckons will be a top player in the future.  He mentioned that whilst Paul Brown had been doing well in the Reserves, the coaching staff felt that he was struggling to make the step-up to the first team and a similar mention came for Steve Davies who McMahon said was struggling to be consistent at first team level.  McMahon finished by saying that in twelve months time, there would be a few very good youngsters at first team level.

 

What has Gone Wrong This Season and Negative Management:

 

As he did with the above question, Brian used the word ‘blend’ several times and admitted that the balance of the side and the blend of the players has not been there this season. He took full responsibility for that factor.

 

He was also asked if he thought he was a negative manager to which he replied no.  He said that at Christmas time when we had 22 points on the board, the 51 points we have now seemed a million miles away and he has taken the approach he felt necessary to get the points on the board.

 

Can Little take us Forward and Changing a Winning Team:

 

Brian was asked if he felt he could take the Club forward and he said that he could.  It was also stated either by Brian or Lorraine that there are a lot of people with short memories in football – possibly referring to Rovers good season last season.

 

The question was put to Brian about changing a winning team after the 3-0 win over Port Vale and the subsequent defeat at Rotherham.  He said that after winning a game, the easiest thing in the world is to pick the same team again but as McAteer had been ill that week, he felt that the midfield would not have worked with the three youngsters (O’Leary, Harrison and Jennings) all playing together.  As a result he opted instead to play Goodison at the back.

 

Reaction and Support of Fans and Mark Rankine Situation:

 

Jason McAteer was asked about the fans and he commented on the fantastic away support that does transfer to the players on the pitch.  Macca also commented on being booed off at half-time and whilst he said he was old enough to accept it, he commented on the negative effect that booing has on the younger players.  This was re-iterated by John McMahon.

 

Brian was asked why Mark Rankine has not featured lately and Little virtually confirmed that his career is over as for recent months he has been struggling to recover from games, hence he has not featured.  Little did not rule out a return for Ranks before the end of the season.

 

Chris Dagnall, Sam Aiston and New Player Contracts:

 

Total Tranmere poster Matthew the Rover asked Brian why Chris Dagnall was not given a chance in the first team and why he was subsequently sold to Rochdale.  Brian said that with the emergence of Steve Davies amongst other things, he did not see Dagnall being part of the first team in the next 18 months.

 

Little was also asked what Sam Aiston has to do to get a run in the team and Little said that consistency was part of Aiston’s problem.  One game he can take on anyone and at other times he struggles.

 

Regarding summer moves and contract renewals, Little refused to comment on links to any players still under contract at other clubs (Kevin McLeod was one name mentioned) but Little did mention Steven O’Leary.  Little said he felt that if Luton were to offer Steven a new contract there, he would most likely take it but he did sound like he wished to sign O’Leary if he could.

 

The biggest piece of news of the night was with regard to a question about Simon Francis to which Little said he feels that Simon would love to return to Prenton Park and Brian added that Francis was still on his agenda over the summer.  Little said it all depended on Francis deciding between being a Premiership squad member or moving to get first team football.

 

Lorraine answered a question about Gareth Roberts and stated that Roberts has a new agent and the Club have basically been told that it was not about money but about Gareth’s wish to play at a higher level.  Lorraine said that in spite of this a new deal had been put on the table anyway but she feels Roberts is likely to leave.

 

Little said that regarding contract renewals, they have already started negotiations with the younger players in the squad but are reluctant to upset the balance of the dressing room by dealing with the contracts of the more senior players until League One status is secured.  McAteer said he would be happy to sign a new deal at the end of the season that he had learnt a lot in his six months as a Coach.

 

Brian Little thinks that the nucleus of the squad is there but there are elements that are not right and need addressing in the summer.  Lorraine was asked what problems are faced when trying to attract players to Tranmere to which her reply was simply, money.

 

Other Questions Asked:

 

Lorraine answered some business type questions about Procurement Deals and the £5million debt owed to Peter Johnson stating that the biggest threat to the Club is if Peter Johnson ever decides he has enough and wants his money back.  She did state though that Tranmere had the loans off Johnson on very ‘soft terms’ with hardly any interest being owed on the loans.

 

The floor was opened at the end of the evening to any questions that may not have been covered which included the painting of the back of the untidy looking Main Stand, the standard of refereeing in the lower leagues (which McAteer and McMahon agreed was very poor) and the delaying of Season Ticket sales until the end of the season.

 

I found it to be an enjoyable night with several comical moments thrown in including compere Derek Jones saying “Brian has answered a few questions so now I’ll give Lorraine one!”.  Also a supporter asked Brian if he had lost the plot to which Brian replied in the negative and laughed it off. 

 

Derek Jones also skitted at Jason for his missed penalty at Swansea on the opening day of the season and Jason took the mick out of Steve Wilson after someone had jokingly asked a question about Willo being a body-builder.

 

As a pro-Little person, I found the evening simply confirmed what I already felt about the situation so I’m unable to answer the question as to whether the anti-Little supporters have had their fears eased at all by the evening.