MANAGER John Barnes says he is expecting neither sympathy nor favours as he grapples with the pressures of Tranmere’s grim start of the season.

Rovers’ troubles deepened this week when they were eliminated from the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy by Bury – just three days after suffering their eighth defeat in 11 League One outings at Millwall.

Fans are becoming increasingly hostile in their criticism of the former Liverpool and England midfielder and his assistant Jason McAteer.

Sections of Tranmere’s 400-strong travelling support at Gigg Lane were chanting for Barnes’ dismissal even before the second round tie kicked off. Barnes confirmed he had conversations with chairman Peter Johnson following the 5-0 mauling by Millwall last weekend. He scoffed at the idea of being given a “vote of confidence” from the boardroom.

“I don’t think it was a discussion we even had to have,” Barnes said.

“I think that once a chairman says: ‘I have full confidence in you’, then that’s probably a telltale sign that he hasn’t. So that is not even a discussion I had with the chairman.”

Barnes added: “The chairman is saying what do you want to do, keep going? That’s all I can do. I asked if he can magic up some money out of somewhere and no, we can’t. We can’t change things by bringing players in.”

Barnes has been answering the questions about how long he may be given to turn Tranmere’s fortunes around by saying: “how long is a piece of string?”

He said: “Will I get a week, three months, six months? It does not matter whether you deserve time or not. This is the nature of the game we are in.

“Everyone wants time but there are managers who don’t get time. I’m under more pressure than some people because we are down at the bottom.”

Meanwhile Tranmere are running two special ticket promotions for supporters this month.

Young persons (17 to 22 year olds) will pay just £5 for admission to the Stockport County game at Prenton Park on Monday, October 12 (kick-off 7.45pm.

Young persons can pay cash on the turnstiles for the Kop, Paddocks and Johnny King Stand with photographic proof of age (passport or drivers licence), or purchase tickets for the Main Stand from ticket office.

Rovers are joining forces with the Royal British Legion to help raise funds for the 2009 Poppy Appeal by putting on a special offer before Remembrance Day at the home game against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, October 17 (KO 3pm).

As part of the partnership, admission for servicemen and women and ex-servicemen has been reduced to £5 (tickets must be purchased in advance). Admission for seniors has also been cut to £5 and is cash on the turnstiles for all stands except the Main Stand.

Current servicemen and women should present their ID cards at the club shop or ticket office to claim their discounted ticket.

Ex-servicemen and women should present their discharge papers for their discounted ticket