Barnwell backs beleaguered boss

Last updated : 20 May 2004 By Chris Maxwell
Reports on Merseyside indicate that Houller's tenous grip on power at Snfield could soon be brought to an abrupt end after a lacklustre campaign in which the Reds finished fifteen points behind nearest rivals Manchester United in fourth.

Two seasons of underachievement have led many Reds supporters to call the 56-year-old's position into question, but Barnwell feels the Liverpool manager deserves more time to bring fresh glory to the club.

Barnwell said: "Gerard's record is an excellent one. Not too long ago they (Liverpool) would have been delighted to have finished fourth. To say that is not acceptable for Liverpool is too easy a comment to make.

"You have to look at the areas of improvement and all those issues. In terms of what he has achieved, the position the club was in when he took over, they would appear to be in a healthy state at the moment.

"It is too easy for people to say Liverpool should finish higher. Gerard obviously hasn't finished the work he set out to do.''