By Quayle
December 21 2005

After a disappointing penalty shoot out loss to League Two side, Carlisle, its clear to me what Tranmere need, a bit of creativity in the side. To explain I will have to start at the bottom, and take you back a year.

This time last year, we had at least one creative player in every line of our formation. At the back we had Ryan Taylor, who could turn a game on its head with his runs down the line and crossing ability. Infront of him was Paul Hall, who played alot like Ryan but more offensive, if that's possible. These two where the centre of any attack, and could cross like the best in our division. And if that wasn't enough we had a striker who would turn and shoot for fun. Little Canadian Iain Hume would constantly prove a threat to opposition defenders with his pace and ability to score long range efforts. But now Tranmere seem flat, after selling all three of these players and not bringing in the same calibre of replacements.

Ryan Taylor left Tranmere in the summer for the Premiership with newly-promoted Wigan, since there has been three players trying to fill his right-back position. They might have had the defensive abilities of Ryan, but non have matched up to his attacking capabilities that the new look Rovers are screaming out for. Since Ryan's departure Paul Linwood, Steve Bruce and most recently, Simon Francis have all tried to replace him. Simon Francis, who is currently on loan at Tranmere, seems the nearest to Ryan we have had so far this season. Thankfully, Francis was able to extend his loan to another month, something fans would love to hear, in a dismal month for Tranmere. I suggest that we either permanently sign Francis, if that is possible, or sign an attacking right back in the January transfer window, or train Paul Linwood to be more attacking when on a counter attack.

Something Tranmere severly lack is creativity upfront. Since the departure of Iain Hume to Leicester Tranmere have not had the same depth in attack around the box. Although I have to say Delroy Facey has impressed me, I feel he isn't the type that can turn and face goal like one, Iain Hume.

But praise where prasie is due to Brian Little. Perhaps we do have a saviour in the creativity department. Sam Aiston has recently shown signs of becoming a huge asset to the club. He is not afraid to take players on and whip in a cross, alot like his replacement Paul Hall. Sam came from Shrewsbury, and some misjudged him from the start because of it. But since arriving at Tranmere he has shown that he could be what Tranmere are missing.

So my plea to Brian Little is more Sam Aistons. We need more creativity on the pitch and lets hope you can find gems like Aiston in the upcoming transfer window.