Just Back From The Game Thread

[MongoNeil]

Just got in! What a rubbish game, they only had two shots on goal and scored from both it seemed. It really does worry me that we're a completely different side without Lallana, not a patch on the performance I saw against Oldham. There was no communication, evident for the first goal, loads of wayward passes. Give Tranmere some credit though, their keeper made two fantastic saves. Their winger and striker had good games too. The referee was unbelievable. It was a blatant penalty against Barnie and gave them a goal kick at the end when even their fans saw it was a corner.

 

Play like that next weekend and it could be a cricket score, not good at all.

[Saint_clark]

They had more than 2 attempts on goal, but only 2 on target - and as we know they both resulted in goals.

Would you say Davis was at fault for the second (sounded like he was off his line) or was it just unstoppable?

[thorpie the sinner]

At least Adkins highlighted Dale Jennings before game. Shame our players didn't read his preview!!

[saintrich]

Didn't listen on radio, who had our two good chances?

 

Sounded like Adkins wasn't very happy with Schneiderlin? was he particularly poor?

[MongoNeil]

I must admit I didn't see their second goal as we were chatting, seemed a bit flukey though as was completely against the run of play. I wouldn't single out any player as being particularly poor, just the whole team looked like they'd never played together before. I noticed Rickie giving Morgan a load of grief at one point though. Chamberlain didn't seem to be himself either, mind elsewhere perhaps?

[Shroppie]

Poor display all round. Started too slowly, played long balls from the off to their 3 CBs. Uncompetitive in midfield, no fight, no control on the ball, too slow in moving the ball and little movement off the ball.

 

Sloppy defending for both goals. There seemed something wrong with the team psyche today.

 

Davis 4. Should have claimed the cross for the first ball, out of position for the 2nd(but not all his fault). Kicked long too much but defence didn't make themselves available.

 

Richardson 6. Fairly sound game. Not much in attack.

 

Fonte 7. Sound as usual, looking to pass rather than hoof.

 

Jaidi 5. As usual. Pretty solid in the air, hoof, hoof.

 

Harding 3. I'm a fan but he had a bad day. No control, no craft, doesn't seems to work with Dickson.

 

Oxo 5. Kept out of the game pretty much. Just one or two moments, but 10 mil? You're avin a larf.

 

Morgan 5.5. Nice touches late in the game but didn't get a grip early on and no grit when needed.

 

Chaplow 6. Below his best but those around him didn't help.

 

Dickson 5. One good run, otherwise didn't get anywhere near the byeline all game.

 

Lambert 3. Won very little in the air and if we're kicking it long and he's not doing that, end of game. Missed 2 chances he would have buried last season. Time for a rest.

 

Guly 5. Had a rough time but just not effective. Poor service.

 

Barnard 7. Why did we wait so long to see him?

 

Going to drown sorrows.

[norwaysaint]

The referee was unbelievable. It was a blatant penalty against Barnie and gave them a goal kick at the end when even their fans saw it was a corner.

 

Obviously i didn't see it, but the Solent commentators called it as a blatant dive before the ref had even booked him.

[View From The Top]

My lad and I have just got back from a game in which we gave the opposition two goals through pathetic defending.

 

The 1st half was a dire a display as I have ever witnessed from any Saints side and the display from the two fullbacks were below Sunday league level. Harding was woeful and Richardson was even worse. I thought Richardson was s**t last week but he took his level of incompetence down a notch or two.

 

We bypassed midfield playing hoofball and when we did have chances Warner made three very good saves.

 

All in all we were totally and utterly s**t, s**t, s**t against an even worse Tranmere side.

[um pahars]

It really does worry me that we're a completely different side without Lallana.

 

Me too, very worrying. For me he is the one player that makes us tick (the stats for games with/without him are staggering).

 

I rate the lad immensely, but is he that good that we then look a totally different side without him????

[NickG]

Lallana reminds me of MLT in that when team is under pressure, nothing on - he will take the ball even if 3 players on him - creating space for others. Huge player for us

[Born In The 80s]

Just got back to my hotel and thought i'd have a quick look online before i hit Liverpool tonight (mainly to read what Adkins said but couldn't help popping over here to have a look).

 

As others have said, it was an awful performance. The thing that i am most disappointed with however, is the lack of fight, passion and effort on display from our boys today. The first half was embarrassing. They were up for it and were giving it everything, whereas we seemed to lack all those personal and mental qualities (fight, passion, belief) that you desperately need when you go away to small clubs with bad pitches. It's very very disappointing, as after last week's bad result against Notts County, this game was very important to stay on track.

 

I posted a while ago saying that drawing Man Utd in the cup may have a negative effect on the team as the game draws closer. Well, todays performance absolutely stank of a team who had their eye on a 'big' fixture coming up. We played like a team usually does on the last day of the season when they've made the FA Cup final. Timid, half-arsed and frankly, going through the motions, hoping not to pick up a knock for the big game next week. It's disappointing to see.

 

Some of you may obviously not agree with me, but i for one will be delighted to see the back of any meaningless cup games, when there are FAR more important league games coming up thick and fast throughout Feb, March and April.

 

Anyway, not a totally wasted trip, here's to a good night in Liverpool!

[Lallana's Left Peg]

Just back from the game. Two long ball teams, a terrible game. We offered nothing, Tranmere had 5 in midfield and one of them was just in front of the back 4 helping head away every hopeless punt from us. When we passed it we looked half decent. We rarely passed it. Harding and Richardson were also very bad. I blame both Fonte and Davis for the first goal. Fonte for calling for the keeper to come (the keeper should always decide) and Davis for not deciding to come - the ball was high in the air and landing in the 6 yard box - what exactly did Davis expect to happen!

[Born In The 80s]

One final thing, can we have Butterfield in for Richardson next week please. That is all.

[Griffo]

How many Saints were there? The one picture on the OS appeared to show our support mostly sat down. Why do people travel that way to be boring arseholes?

[Wirral saint]

been back a while now and still not calmed down.

First things first the best team won. They competed for everything, won nearly every 50:50 ball and quite simply wanted it more than us.

We were ****. No pride, no passion, no ****ing interest, no football, just hoof. Corners, set pieces, crossing etc. woefull.

Too many players with one eye on next week may explain why we couldn't even put a proper challenge in.

Promotion? Make no bones about it this was drivel from start to finish (OK maybe except a 7 - 8 minute period at the end) and on this performance is bottom 4 form. I challenge any Saint who was here today to disagree.

MOM? In all honesty I woudn't pick anyone.

Songs today included "2 nil to the referee" - he made a couple of poor decisions (my honest opinion Barny dived) but can't blame him for such a gutless performance - and "I wanna go home, I wanna go home, Tranmere's a **** hole, I wanna go home" summed it all up and hit the nail on the head.

[david in sweden]

Poor display all round. Started too slowly, played long balls from the off to their 3 CBs. Uncompetitive in midfield, no fight, no control on the ball, too slow in moving the ball and little movement off the ball.

 

Sloppy defending for both goals. There seemed something wrong with the team psyche today.

 

Davis 4. Should have claimed the cross for the first ball, out of position for the 2nd(but not all his fault). Kicked long too much but defence didn't make themselves available.

 

Richardson 6. Fairly sound game. Not much in attack.

 

Fonte 7. Sound as usual, looking to pass rather than hoof.

 

Jaidi 5. As usual. Pretty solid in the air, hoof, hoof.

 

Harding 3. I'm a fan but he had a bad day. No control, no craft, doesn't seems to work with Dickson.

 

Oxo 5. Kept out of the game pretty much. Just one or two moments, but 10 mil? You're avin a larf.

 

Morgan 5.5. Nice touches late in the game but didn't get a grip early on and no grit when needed.

 

Chaplow 6. Below his best but those around him didn't help.

 

Dickson 5. One good run, otherwise didn't get anywhere near the byeline all game.

 

Lambert 3. Won very little in the air and if we're kicking it long and he's not doing that, end of game. Missed 2 chances he would have buried last season. Time for a rest. Mmm..but if favour of who ?

Guly 5. Had a rough time but just not effective. Poor service.

 

Barnard 7. Why did we wait so long to see him?

 

Going to drown sorrows.

 

my comments in red.

[Wirral saint]

Griffo the first few rows were sitting but the back rows were all standing. I agree with you about people travelling all that way and not singing, standing etc. but today we really were that ****ing useless that it literally did test the patience of a Saint.

[Newcastle U Lyme Saint]

you would have thought today it was us towards the bottom

for the first goal, i could hear Jose shout 'Kelv' - yet he was five yards away from him

we can still do this though! coyr

[kpturner]

How many Saints were there? The one picture on the OS appeared to show our support mostly sat down. Why do people travel that way to be boring arseholes?

Why does sitting on a seat make you a boring arsehole ?

[trousers]

Just got back to my hotel and thought i'd have a quick look online before i hit Liverpool tonight (mainly to read what Adkins said but couldn't help popping over here to have a look).

 

As others have said, it was an awful performance. The thing that i am most disappointed with however, is the lack of fight, passion and effort on display from our boys today. The first half was embarrassing. They were up for it and were giving it everything, whereas we seemed to lack all those personal and mental qualities (fight, passion, belief) that you desperately need when you go away to small clubs with bad pitches. It's very very disappointing, as after last week's bad result against Notts County, this game was very important to stay on track.

 

I posted a while ago saying that drawing Man Utd in the cup may have a negative effect on the team as the game draws closer. Well, todays performance absolutely stank of a team who had their eye on a 'big' fixture coming up. We played like a team usually does on the last day of the season when they've made the FA Cup final. Timid, half-arsed and frankly, going through the motions, hoping not to pick up a knock for the big game next week. It's disappointing to see.

 

Some of you may obviously not agree with me, but i for one will be delighted to see the back of any meaningless cup games, when there are FAR more important league games coming up thick and fast throughout Feb, March and April.

 

No shame in saying that...indeed, some of us were warning of the 'cup effect' before the Blackpool game...

[trousers]

Too many players with one eye on next week

 

People were warned about this eventuality.... ;-)

[shurlock]

Poor display all round. Started too slowly, played long balls from the off to their 3 CBs. Uncompetitive in midfield, no fight, no control on the ball, too slow in moving the ball and little movement off the ball.

 

Sloppy defending for both goals. There seemed something wrong with the team psyche today.

 

Davis 4. Should have claimed the cross for the first ball, out of position for the 2nd(but not all his fault). Kicked long too much but defence didn't make themselves available.

 

Richardson 6. Fairly sound game. Not much in attack.

 

Fonte 7. Sound as usual, looking to pass rather than hoof.

 

Jaidi 5. As usual. Pretty solid in the air, hoof, hoof.

 

Harding 3. I'm a fan but he had a bad day. No control, no craft, doesn't seems to work with Dickson.

 

Oxo 5. Kept out of the game pretty much. Just one or two moments, but 10 mil? You're avin a larf.

 

Morgan 5.5. Nice touches late in the game but didn't get a grip early on and no grit when needed.

 

Chaplow 6. Below his best but those around him didn't help.

 

Dickson 5. One good run, otherwise didn't get anywhere near the byeline all game.

 

Lambert 3. Won very little in the air and if we're kicking it long and he's not doing that, end of game. Missed 2 chances he would have buried last season. Time for a rest.

 

Guly 5. Had a rough time but just not effective. Poor service.

 

Barnard 7. Why did we wait so long to see him?

 

Going to drown sorrows.

 

Can't understand how you gave both chaplow and richardson a 6 and suggest they were some of our better players. Richardson was incapable of clearing the ball or finding a pass while Chaplow repeatedly took too many touches anf gave away possession - i would say morgan was the better of the two. Oxo also looked much better when he was moved to a more central position at the beginning of the 2nd half.

 

However bad we were in the 1st half, nothing about Tranmere suggeested they would hurt us - yes they controlled the midfield and their number 7 was a beast but he was isolated and kelvin had a quiet afternoon. Most threats came from our errors - going to sleep on short corners/set-pieces etc.

 

On tactics we should have responded earlier to their 4-5-1/4-1-4-1 - we were always going to find it difficult to boss a packed midfield. We either should have played more narrowly or pushed the fullbacks further forward. Tranmere knew they would not win an open game of football and deliberately set up to nick it. The importance of the first goal can't be underestimated.

 

Finally, complacency is the wrong word - the team seized up after the goal went in. Nobody on the pitch was willing to take responsibility and show leadership, instead waiting and hoping to follow others.

Edited 23 January, 2011 by shurlock

[yorkie]

Not sure waht the main problem was today? Lacked width, looked second to every ball - but to their due Tranmere ran out of steam in the last 15-mins and our passing game was better. Chickened out of challenges - and hoof ball was the order of the day. Midfield was non existent - Morgan not at the races as they were very combative. Passing was terrible and honestly at times looked like a team who had never played with each other. Why wasn't Puncheon available? Already summised the lads were thinking of next week. Chance to close on Brighton - a win today would see us in second with a game in hand on the teams below us (except Peterborough). Still win our game in hand and back to second - but that looks almost impossible after today.

The first goal was a right cock up and the second was a very good strike - a long ball wide and the player saw Davis off his line and hit it - he meant it and it went in off the post.

Ruined my birthday - but next week could be a cricket score if we don't buck up!

[Griffo]

Why does sitting on a seat make you a boring arsehole ?

 

I don't understand the mentality of going hundreds of miles to sit on your hands in silence.

[the colonel]

Does anyone have the report from last years match at Rovers....sounds similar to today's match. Although there was a very dodgy ref and penalty last year if I remember correctly.

[benjii]

I don't understand the mentality of going hundreds of miles to sit on your hands in silence.

 

Watch the match?

 

For the record, I always drink loads of awful lager in a smelly pub, wear absurd clothes, act lairy with my mates, look like the bass player in the world's worst indie band and intimidate members of the public on the train home. So I'm alright.

[Thedelldays]

Watch the match?

 

For the record, I always drink loads of awful lager in a smelly pub, wear absurd clothes, act lairy with my mates, look like the bass player in the world's worst indie band and intimidate members of the public on the train home. So I'm alright.

 

lol

[Saint Since '51]

To watch a football match???????

[dickyhale]

How many Saints were there? The one picture on the OS appeared to show our support mostly sat down. Why do people travel that way to be boring arseholes?

 

Christ this is the worst l have seen Saints play for a few seasons.Today two very soft goals. We need to beat teams like this to gain promotion from this league. Good job the saints fan had gloves on today as their would have had cold hands as not much to clap about. Fair play to the Blind saints fan who waved and offered his white stick too the ref today.Sorry about 800 fans

Edited 22 January, 2011 by dickyhale

[Papa Shango]

First half was as bad a performance as we've had all season. Our entire back five was poor. Defensively they looked shaky and every time they got the ball it was usually aimlessly lumped forward to nobody. Second half was ok, but still not great. Morgan was our best player, and the only one who actually managed to complete more than a couple of passes. Rickie was ok, and Barnard livened things up a bit when he came on.

 

Ratings

 

Davis 4

 

Richardson 5

Jaidi 5

Fonte 5

Harding 4

 

Chamberlain 6

Schneiderlin 7

Chaplow 5

Dickson 5

 

Lambert 6

Guly 5

 

Barnard 6

 

Pretty obvious we miss Lallana big time. I don't want to say we're a one man team, because obviously we have other good players, but every time Lallana has been missing this season we've looked like a much weaker team, and struggle for creativity. That Jennings for Tranmere looks like a real talent. Can't see him staying there for very long. Today's result isn't the end of the world, win our game in hand and we're second. However it's not going to be easy as some people were saying it would be a few weeks ago. We are far from the perfect side and will probably have a few more days like this before the end of the season. I'm still confident we have enough to finish in the top two, but we've still got plenty of work to do.

[JRM]

People were warned about this eventuality.... ;-)

 

F$ck off you clown we were just as poor at tranmere last season regardless of cup games get some minerals and stop creaming yourself over the cup game being a distraction you boring tw&t

[Sour Mash]

Watch the match?

 

For the record, I always drink loads of awful lager in a smelly pub, wear absurd clothes, act lairy with my mates, look like the bass player in the world's worst indie band and intimidate members of the public on the train home. So I'm alright.

You could watch a game of football locally. His question is, I think, why go all the way, make the effort, but then not get involved a bit and get behind the side.

[niceandfriendly]

Just got back. I don't want to talk about it right now ok? All I will say is that papa shangoos ratings are hugely generous. wouldn't give anyone over a 4. especially not morgan.

 

terrible terrible terrible, will be more insightful later when I've calmed down.

[for_heaven's_Saint]

Without wanting to depress myself any further by reading others' comments, I shall just say that game reminded me of watching us away in our champ relegation season. Absolutely awful.

[niceandfriendly]

Without wanting to depress myself any further by reading others' comments' date=' I shall just say that game reminded me of watching us away in our champ relegation season. Absolutely awful.[/quote']

 

Yep. Walking away from the ground I thought "oh good, Saints are back"

[niceandfriendly]

right, i'll make just a few points. Richardson's performance today was one of the worst full-back performances I've seen from a saints player in all my years of watching us. He looked like how I would play if stuck at right back, very nervous and completely clueless. I'd like to see his pass completion stats, they won't be good reading for him. Butterfield back in next league game i hope. (not saying FR should be out forever, just needs to be dropped after that)

 

Morgan was non existent until the last 15 minutes when he did at least try to play it on the floor, the game passed Chaplow by (probably due to our 'hoof at every opportunity' tactics), Davis at fault for the first goal. We all knew he doesn't command his box very well, but now we've seen he can't even control the 6 yard box.... eugh.

 

Adkins why so much hoof? I love what you've done here so far but the tactics in our last two games have been long ball, long ball, long ball. Yes, we miss Lallana but that's no reason to ignore the fact that all of our other players can play the ball nicely on the deck. For f*cks sake please revert to trying to play nice football ASAP.

 

Lots of Saints fans made the journey, thought the atmosphere was pretty good considering how terrible we were.

 

Onwards and upwards come of you F*CKING reds

Edited 23 January, 2011 by niceandfriendly

[pingwing]

Probably the worst game iv been to in ages, Richardson was an EMBARRASSMENT! Should have the treatment of all old horses and taken to the glue factory. I have never seen someone mess up the position of right back as much as him. The only players who made him not look like a non-league mascot with the wrong kit were Harding, Fonte and Davis. Just so many mistakes between them that was too hard to watch...

 

The rest of the team can not expect to perform if the basics of the defence can not be done right and even then we still needed Barnard to get going

 

Today is 3 points dropped for us being to terrible for words

[niceandfriendly]

Probably the worst game iv been to in ages, Richardson was an EMBARRASSMENT! Should have the treatment of all old horses and taken to the glue factory. I have never seen someone mess up the position of right back as much as him. The only players who made him not look like a non-league mascot with the wrong kit were Harding, Fonte and Davis. Just so many mistakes between them that was too hard to watch...

 

The rest of the team can not expect to perform if the basics of the defence can not be done right and even then we still needed Barnard to get going

 

Today is 3 points dropped for us being to terrible for words

 

you're absolutely right which is such a shame

[Fitzhugh Fella]

Richardson has been a big disappointment - his distribution is non existant.

[Bourne Valley Saint]

Completely useless. No passion, ability, creativity, imagination or talent. On the way home we were asked to nominate our Man of the Match - we couldn't. That's how awful it was.

[iansouthstander]

Poor display all round. Started too slowly, played long balls from the off to their 3 CBs. Uncompetitive in midfield, no fight, no control on the ball, too slow in moving the ball and little movement off the ball.

 

Sloppy defending for both goals. There seemed something wrong with the team psyche today.

 

Davis 4. Should have claimed the cross for the first ball, out of position for the 2nd(but not all his fault). Kicked long too much but defence didn't make themselves available.

 

Richardson 6. Fairly sound game. Not much in attack.

 

Fonte 7. Sound as usual, looking to pass rather than hoof.

 

Jaidi 5. As usual. Pretty solid in the air, hoof, hoof.

 

Harding 3. I'm a fan but he had a bad day. No control, no craft, doesn't seems to work with Dickson.

 

Oxo 5. Kept out of the game pretty much. Just one or two moments, but 10 mil? You're avin a larf.

 

Morgan 5.5. Nice touches late in the game but didn't get a grip early on and no grit when needed.

 

Chaplow 6. Below his best but those around him didn't help.

 

Dickson 5. One good run, otherwise didn't get anywhere near the byeline all game.

 

Lambert 3. Won very little in the air and if we're kicking it long and he's not doing that, end of game. Missed 2 chances he would have buried last season. Time for a rest.

 

Guly 5. Had a rough time but just not effective. Poor service.

 

Barnard 7. Why did we wait so long to see him?

 

Going to drown sorrows.

 

Sorry mate , but I have to disagree about you assessment of Lambert . I thought he was our best player by a mile . I thought he won most of his aerial battles. It's not his fault if there's no one to run on to one of his flick ons. He never gave up , and you're right , with a bit of luck might of got a couple of goals yesterday. It didn't help him having their keeper on the top of his form. If we had him and they had Kelv , we would have won.Simple as that.

[MongoNeil]

Obviously i didn't see it, but the Solent commentators called it as a blatant dive before the ref had even booked him.

 

Stonewall penalty in my eyes, he was through on goal so no need to go down. The tranmere player had his arms right across his chest. If he'd stayed on his feet he would have scored, simple as that.

[ottery st mary]

Stonewall penalty in my eyes, he was through on goal so no need to go down. The tranmere player had his arms right across his chest. If he'd stayed on his feet he would have scored, simple as that.

 

There is a very good photograph on the OS .... proving your point.

[trousers]

Richardson has been a big disappointment - his distribution is non existant.

 

Which make one wonder how he ever got into the League 1 team if the year (I think he did, didn't he? Apologies if I'm ringing the wrong bell)

[saintbenny]

Having watched the game if ox is worth 10 mill then Jennings must be worth 50...what a player he is going to be

[ladysaint]

Not sure waht the main problem was today? Lacked width, looked second to every ball - but to their due Tranmere ran out of steam in the last 15-mins and our passing game was better. Chickened out of challenges - and hoof ball was the order of the day. Midfield was non existent - Morgan not at the races as they were very combative. Passing was terrible and honestly at times looked like a team who had never played with each other. Why wasn't Puncheon available? Already summised the lads were thinking of next week. Chance to close on Brighton - a win today would see us in second with a game in hand on the teams below us (except Peterborough). Still win our game in hand and back to second - but that looks almost impossible after today.

The first goal was a right cock up and the second was a very good strike - a long ball wide and the player saw Davis off his line and hit it - he meant it and it went in off the post.

Ruined my birthday - but next week could be a cricket score if we don't buck up!

 

 

You kept your birthday quiet anyway happy birthday for yesterday. The game was a shocker not one of our players stood out as others have already stated. Prenton Park is not a good ground for us think we have won once there in 7 attempts not that this is an excuse. If we are seriously thinking of automatic promotion this season then we have to start at least getting a point at games like this and winning at home. I made a real effort to get to the game yesterday, soton station closed so had to get a bus to Parkway to Basingstoke to pick up a llift from Basingstoke and all trains were not running on time, just wished the team had put in as much effort as I did yesterday. As for Adkins why doesnt he change things earlier not just bringing on LB which did make a differnence but he could have taken a chance and put Doble on for Lambert. Think our result at Boundary Park is in a way the worst would have rather it had been a 1-0 win now we keep expecting to win easily. Another think sell AOC for £10m and bring in 6 new players who will get us out of this league. Rant over.

[anothersaintinsouthsea]

How many Saints were there? The one picture on the OS appeared to show our support mostly sat down. Why do people travel that way to be boring arseholes?

 

Some of our supporters who travel long distances to watch matches offer such crap support! If I could have been bothered to go to Tranmere I would've done so much better!

[ladysaint]

I would say there was at least 1,000 disappointed travelling fans there yesterday.

[stevegrant]

My player summary, for what it's worth:

 

Davis (3): confidence appears shot to bits, communication is appalling. Jointly at fault for the first goal.

Richardson (1, for turning up): how the **** he got in the League One team of the season last season is a mystery to me. Get Butterfield back in there, he may not get forward too much, but at least he won't put 80% of his passes straight to the feet of the opposition.

Harding (3): offered very little support by Dickson, but like Richardson seemed to be brilliant at finding a white shirt all afternoon.

Fonte (4): like Davis, at fault for the first goal, didn't seem comfortable at all during the game. No idea what's going on there.

Jaidi (6): won plenty in the air against Showunmi, but when he did get the ball at his feet, just lumped it long every time.

Chamberlain (4): comfortably his worst game for us, barely got a kick and was drifting all over the pitch in the first half, which then left Richardson exposed against Jennings.

Dickson (4): on the rare occasions he got on the ball, he looked alright, but failed to track back which then left Harding in trouble.

Chaplow (0, didn't turn up): utterly anonymous. We effectively played with 10 men for the entire 90 minutes as he contributed nothing at all.

Schneiderlin (5): at least tried to get the ball down and play it on the deck, but gave it away more often than not.

Guly (5): not really the game for little flicks, and he and Lambert were often playing 50-60 yards apart, so when one of them won something in the air, it fell straight to the feet of a Tranmere defender.

Lambert (6): worked hard but had no service. Always crowded out by at least two defenders, and wasn't close enough to Guly when he had the ball to link up.

 

Re the penalty appeal, Barnard had a free shot at goal, 12 yards out, with no defenders close enough to block it after a great turn - why would he go down unless he was tripped?

[M271]

There is a very good photograph on the OS .... proving your point.

 

I was there and it looked like a penalty to me, looking at the OS photographs there is contact with an arm across Barney on the first in the photo sequence and slight foot contact in the second?. If it was seen as 50/50 Barnay shouldn't have been booked, however he has been booked before for 'diving' so maybe he should go to acting lessons to be more subtle rather than fling himself to ground so dramatically !