Western Daily Press (Saturday)
No excuses for us now, Cooper tells his squad
FOREST Green Rovers manager Mark Cooper has called upon his players to show him their desire in today’s Sky Bet League Two clash at Morecambe.
Cooper’s team were beaten by table-toppers Lincoln last weekend, despite taking an early lead at the New Lawn.
The Rovers manager admitted it was the first time this season that he had questioned some of his players’ desire and attitude.
“The proof will be when the whistle goes,” Cooper said at his prematch media session yesterday. “We maybe questioned the players’ desire a little bit for the first time.
“I just think the opposition on Saturday ran harder than us, and that’s the one thing the opposition can’t stop you doing is running and competing, and if you don’t do those things in abundance, it’s impossible to win a game of football.”
Forest Green’s defeat last weekend meant that Tranmere leapfrogged the Green Devils into sixth-place, leaving them in the final play-off position.
Cooper admitted his team showed signs of complacency, and he is determined for them to not repeat that as they make the long journey to 21st-placed Morecambe.
“Sometimes complacency can creep in and sometimes we think we’ve just got to turn up to win a game,” Cooper added.
“Against Lincoln, if you don’t fight or scrap, you’re not getting anything, even though we could have easily got something out of the game.
“The players have been left in no uncertain terms, not in a bad way, in a very constructive way, that we have to compete and run and if we don’t do that, we can’t win.”
Morecambe have struggled in League Two this season, with the Shrimps only winning twice in their last six League games.
Jim Bentley’s team are threatened with the prospect of relegation out of the Football League, but his opposite number was very complimentary.
Cooper also ruled out any excuses due to the long trip to Morecambe, and pointed out that the Shrimps made the long journey down this season and won 1-0.
“They (Morecambe) did miraculously well last season to stay up on the last day of the season, getting a point against Coventry and they’re well above the drop zone again,” the Rovers boss said.
“They’ll be pleased (with their season) and they have some threats.
“We don’t want any excuses. It’s a long way, so what? Morecambe had a long journey and came here and beat us. There’s no excuses. It’s roll your sleeves up, get your head down and go and perform.”
Former Leicester and Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri has been appointed Roma manager until the end of the season.
Ranieri, 67, was sacked by Fulham eight days ago after winning three of his 17 games in charge.
But the Roma fan – who managed the club between 2009 and 2011 – has been handed a quick return to management, replacing Eusebio di Francesco.
The previous boss was sacked on Wednesday after losing 4-3 on aggregate to Porto in the Champions League last 16.