Barnes targets Carling Cup run
Monday 10th August, 2009
By Richard Ault

Tranmere boss John Barnes has turned his attention to Tuesday's Carling Cup tie with Grimsby Town at Prenton Park as he looks for his team to go on a cup run.

Speaking in the aftermath of the defeat at Yeovil Town, Barnes has backed his team to bounce back and believes a cup run is a possibility, even suggesting Rovers could be capable of recreating the historic League Cup run of 1999/2000.

Speaking to the press , Barnes said:

"We have to expect Grimsby will come all guns blazing. It's a competition that is very important for us. It's a chance of progressing and earning some money, and maybe even a chance to play at Wembley as Tranmere have done in the past. But, at the moment we're only looking at Grimsby.

"Ian Goodison brings a lot of experience, strength and calmness to the back four and it's good to have him back. Gareth Edds returning gives us more experienced players available for selection."

Reflecting on defeat in his first game in charge on Saturday, Barnes admits it will take time for his side to gel, and four the young full-backs to have the confidence to go forward.

He added: "The first 20 minutes we dominated the game. That's happened before in a lot of pre-season games. When they changed the way they were playing to counter our style, we didn't seem to be able to adjust. To be fair to Yeovil they then had the better chances. We didn't get players forward enough and we didn't support the front men enough. In the second half we did ok until the penalty.

"The back four was young but they did ok. Gavin and Ash Taylor were fine, but we still need the full backs to get forward more. It'll take some time for them to have the confidence to get forward."

Rovers' Carling Cup first round tie with Grimsby Town on Tuesday kicks-off at 7.45pm.

Image courtesy of Tranmere Rovers