Pete Wild vents anger at his players after Tranmere suffer 3-0 defeat to Harrogate

Pete Wild vents anger at his players after Tranmere suffer a 3-0 defeat to Harrogate down in the League Two relegation battle.

Two goals from Chanse Headman, with Reece Smith also getting on the scoresheet, helped boost Harrogate’s survival hopes.

Tranmere faced very loud boos from their own fans every time they conceded, all three goals in the first half.

The result sees Rovers, without a win in seven, 20th with 36 points from 38 games played, 6 points above the drop zone. Harrogate are 23rd with 30 points from 38 games played, a point from safety.

Tranmere manager Pete Wild, following his first home game in charge, said to the media: “You can’t go from being as aggressive as we were at Fleetwood on Saturday and then be as weak as we were tonight.

“The three goals we conceded were ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous.

“The story of the game is that we lose three tackles, we don’t defend two set-pieces and we lose 3-0 and that’s frustrating.

“I said to the players that I picked the wrong team tonight.

“You come in and you want to try and freshen things up and I wanted to go after Harrogate, but it’s clear tonight that was a mistake.

“We have to be resolute, we have to defend for our lives and try and we’re going to have to hit teams on the counter and with set-pieces.

“For anybody who wants free-flowing football over the next eight games, I don’t think it’s going to be like that, we’re going to have to defend for our lives.

“I’m here to do a specific job and now that specific job focuses on being hard to beat in every game.”

Harrogate manager Simon Weaver said: “I felt right from the off we showed our intent and belief in the way we played.

“To get those two early goals gave the whole group a real buzz and a tonic that’s needed.

“We’re in a scrap, we know that, but we saw the whole team battle for every duel and then get it down and play with some real positive intent. We played some good football tonight.

“Hopefully this will give us another boost of confidence levels and we’ll go again.

“I was really motivated to keep the clean sheet tonight, especially when we went 3-0 up, and I thought we were thoroughly professional.

“It’s that concentration and mindset to make sure we are uncompromising to the end.

“There are plenty of twists and turns to come but we’re going to enjoy waking up tomorrow morning.

“It’s hard and it’s been hard for months, but the lads having a day off tomorrow will be waking up tomorrow morning thinking we’ve done a great job as a unit gives us a great lift.”

Twitter users reacted while Pete Wild vents anger at his players after Tranmere suffer a 3-0 defeat to Harrogate…

@RicciTRFC: You should he refunding the fans ST money. Or pay us to play, because I’m sick and tired of watching players not even try. Not fit to wear the shirt.

@lboardman_: Wouldn’t blame Wild if he resigned after seeing the amount of fucking shithouses he’s got to manage every day! National league next season 🚮

@addo163: Players are not good enough. Players are not fit enough. Players don’t care enough. That was an utter disgrace. Half of these players will be lucky to get national league north contracts next year. Only question is if the bastards drag us down too.

@mattormond_: Well that’s the worst home performance ive seen since… the last home game

@alex_english4: Any chance of actually playing 442 and being creative this season instead of 5 at the back which hasn’t worked all season

@manifesto_big: Well their 12 fans had a nice day out 🙄 Not watching another game until AFC Tranmere exists. Wouldn’t blame Wild if he walked tonight, he’s got nothing to work with

@jaidanbather: There’s only two things worse than us at the moment. Kids club at the back thinking they’re dead hard and the old farts clapping them off at the end.

@AlexCH43267042: we are fucking awful. 3-0 against bottom of the league. be surprised if we dont go down because i can’t see us getting another point this season

@robmclovintyler: I have given up hope of us staying up. Nobody can blame Pete Wild he has been given a dogshit team all thanks to the Further @markpalios1 get out of this fucking club you and your wife just fuck off!!!!

@M_Olver: In 41yrs supporting this club this is without doubt the worst side/squad I’ve ever seen. Utterly woeful. 2nd to everything all match and on this showing we will be getting relegated in spectacular fashion. An utter embarrassment

@hespo84: Steward came up to find out who set that flare off and said if she finds out they will be banned. I’d like to confess it was me and my son we set it off. My dad said he set one off as well can you please confirm that we’re banned. Thanks 👍

@Gidsentinel: Embarrassing. A desperate lack of respect. Disgusting, at least try.

@ZaaanderSmith: A gang of fucking shithouses that dont give a fuck about Tranmere Rovers. The poison stems from the top and it filters all way to these cunts. The only hope we have now is a miracle. 2 wins and a big big miracle is needed.

@MattyRobbo24: Not being funny but could have put 11 fans out there who have played competitive amateur footy and you’d of seen far more effort. That was the difference between the two. They worked harder and wanted it more. Ran more than us and battled more

@ThisIsTranmere: Not looking good is it? One of the lowest ebbs of the club’s 140 odd year history. Dire

@Joeefitzpatrick: Up there with one of the worst home performances I’ve seen. How many times did we go backwards and let Harrogate get shape before trying to go forward. The attacking quality last 2 games has been shocking, wild needs to get a grip of the team quickly and get us over the line.