Moore admits sloppy Rovers second best after break

Nov 5 2007 by Chris Beesley, Liverpool Daily Post

TRANMERE manager Ronnie Moore rued his side’s second-half mistakes at the City Ground after a strong display before the break counted for nothing.

A needless penalty for a handball allowed Junior Agogo to put Forest ahead before Nathan Tyson was left unmarked to seal the win for the home side.

Moore said: “I think the penalty was the turning point but we never turned up in the second half – that was the disappointing thing for us.

“It was scrappy but I thought we bossed the first half. There was nothing in it and we limited them to very few chances, which is always good when you play here.

“We then had that mad five minutes in the second half and never got going.

“It looked a penalty from where I was but there’s one or two of the lads who don’t think it was.

“It put their tails up and the crowd got behind them and then we’ve given them a sloppy second goal.”

He added: “The onus is on them to come to us but we probably had the best chance of the first half when Chris Greenacre shot but they got a block on it.

“But if you come here and play like we did in the second half, then you’re going to get beat, there’s no doubt about it.

“You might get away with it somewhere else but you certainly won’t get away with it at Nottingham Forest. We didn’t compete.”

Rovers almost pulled a goal back deep into stoppage time when Gareth Taylor saw a header well saved but Moore admitted that the margin of his side’s defeat could have been even greater.

He said: “We were lucky in the second half that we didn’t get caught with more goals on the counter-attack.

“We’ve got to give Forest credit, they’re a good, strong side but I never saw that coming after the first half. We were in control with no real pressure or danger on our goal.

“How can he be on his own in the box for the second goal? That’s schoolboy defending.

“There was the chance we had late on. If that went in it’s a little bit nervy but the keeper has made a tremendous save. It was one of those days.”

Fortunately for Rovers, they have a chance to return to winning ways quickly as Moore’s former club Oldham Athletic visit Prenton Park tomorrow.

He said: “Overall, I think we were second best in the second half. I’m just glad we’ve got a game on Tuesday.

“It’s not easy when you come to places like Forest. I’ve said this month will be a tough month and a good tester for us.

“We haven’t proved we’re up to it with that second-half performance but we’ve got a chance to put it right against Oldham.

“Hopefully, we’ll have one or two more back fit and a few battles for places.

“We’re hoping that Chris Shuker is going to be okay and Calvin Zola is another one because he gives us options when we have him.”