Why John Barnes deserves more time from Tranmere's board - and fans

By David Maddock

Published 15:33 22/09/09

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I see the knives are out for John Barnes at Tranmere already, and that's such a shame.

I know it is probably pointless, but I would plead with the Rovers fans - and their board - to have a little patience with the former England man, because he has all the qualities to make a fine coach.

Of course results are disastrous, of course confidence is low after such a poor start to the season. But really, honestly, what did anyone expect.

Tranmere sold or released all their players just before Barnes came in, and expected him to recruit replacements purely on free transfers and loan deal. They had the lowest wage budget of any team in League One... and then slashed it.

Under those circumstances, Sir Alex Ferguson would struggle to make an impact, and sacking the manager now would be a knee-jerk reaction that will any make the club's problems worse.

Barnes is a decent thinker on the game who I can see has some good ideas tactically and technically. He just needs the chance to put those ideas in practice under stable circumstances.

There have been some horrible, snide comments about him and his assistant Jason McAteer, but they are well wide of the mark. The pair of them are good football people with a great grounding in the game.

My message to Tranmere is simple. Really, what value would leaving yourself without a manager at this stage of the season bring? Don't panic, because John Barnes has the qualities to become a decent manager if you give him the right backing.

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