TRANMERE

Oct 10 2009 by Paul Cunningham, The Journal

Get on your bike, Barnes is told

JOHN Barnes was pictured exiting Tranmere with his push bike yesterday after being unceremoniously dumped as manager of the Coca-Cola League One side.

The England legend and his assistant Jason McAteer, who were team-mates at Liverpool, had two wins from 11 league matches since succeeding Ronnie Moore at the Prenton Park helm. Barnes was seen leaving Prenton Park and putting a bike into the back of a 4x4 in the car park.

LIVERPOOL

Rafa: We can win

RAFAEL Benitez is confident Liverpool can mount a Premier League title bid this season despite his side’s unconvincing start to the campaign.

Doubts have been raised over whether a sustained challenge can come from Anfield considering the team have already lost three times – one more than the whole of the previous campaign – to lie six points behind leaders Chelsea after eight games.

CHELSEA

Strike pair praised

CAPTAIN John Terry has hailed the form of strikers Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka, which has helped put Chelsea on top of the Premier League.

The pair have scored 11 goals between them so far this season and Drogba notched his 100th for the club in the defeat at Wigan.

“This season Didier is playing as well as ever and it is easy to believe the next goal is never far away,” said Terry. “It is the same with Nico, who is scoring regularly again.”

ARGENTINA

D-Day for Diego

DIEGO Maradona is gearing up for the biggest challenge of his fledgling managerial career as Argentina prepare for tomorrow’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Peru in Buenos Aires.

Maradona has overseen a disappointing South American zone qualifying campaign. Argentina lie fifth in the standings, with only the top four teams guaranteed a berth in South Africa. The team finishing fifth will face a two-legged play-off against a CONCACAF nation.

SHEFFIELD UNITED

Drug-ban appeal

GOALKEEPER Paddy Kenny has launched an appeal against his nine-month ban for failing a drugs test. The 31-year-old tested positive for ephedrine after last season’s play-off win against Preston.

NORTHAMPTON

Crosby lands job

FORMER Sunderland manager Malcolm Crosby has been appointed as assistant manager to Ian Sampson at Sixfields.