Following Tranmere's 1-1 draw with Charlton Athletic this afternoon, Tranmere manager Les Parry gave his post-match reaction. Speaking to TranmerePlayer he said...
"I think we deserved a win, but you don't always get
what you deserve. More pleasing than the result was the way the lads
battled and the way they came back into the game and dominated long
periods. I thought every one of them was magnificent today.
"I think we miss Welshy when he's not in the side and today showed
why we miss him. He was all over the pitch and nearly scored a
magnificent goal in the first half and drove right to the last whistle.
"We've come from one down and the lads' heads didn't drop. The way
Charlton play, they're very physical and I don't have a problem with
that, and I thought the lads coped with it. They didn't let themselves
be bullied off the ball and every one of them put 110% in.
"I could see the hole where Dale was supposed to run [for the goal],
he made a great run and made great contact with it and unfortunately it
didn't go in. It was a great finish from Enoch.
"Dale has come in and twisted and turned them. He's still got a lot
to learn and he made a few mistakes that almost cost us but he's that
type of player who creates things and causes you problems as well. But
he's not frightened to shoot and we've been having a go at the lads all
week about getting shots off and even today there were a few instances
where we could have got shots off and didn't.
We're going to have blips and days where the team don't turn up -
like last week - but it's our job just to make sure they're as
infrequent as we can possibly make them."
I think we just about won the second half and they nicked it the first half(mind you they could have won it on points in for knock downs) they were physical to say the least
but that`s why they will end in the play offs and we will be luckly if we have a midtable position.Again we seem to start off slowly give to many balls away but apart from that a good point in the end it`s the old problem that we had last year lack of funding and one or two many kids in the team were lacking experience how everthere was a few crosses in to box towards the end of the first half and again in he second what was missing in the box one birthboy
Aldo(52 today) or Muiry just be in that right place.
But perhaps we can take stock and regroup for the next two away games 3 or 4 points for them would be great most likely end up with 2 (0-0 draws) goals is what we need but hard to come by but well done Showunmi for his today.
Good result. Look at how the team reacted to Bournemouth when they went down 1-0 quite quickly. Charlton are a better side and the team reacted better this time.
Not having McLaren in the side makes such a difference for me. The last two home games have been such a big turn round from the previous ones and it's because we're winning the 50/50 battles in midfield. Mendy has been brilliant since he arrived.
I want Mendy to sign for longer and if possible Grandison. I forgive him the first Yeovil goal, because that sort of ricochet could go anywhere.
Another thing about the performance, was after Akins had played wide a few times, he was integrated into the front two and Blanchard had to play Right Back, which might not necessarily be a strong choice for Les depending on how Blanchard adapts, but the 4-3-3 and Darvilles injury, creating 2 re-jigs of previous personell, didn't seem to cause issues regards how the two adpated.
Personally that always was the only slight sticking point for me this season, apart from the spacky budget obviously. The fact that without Darville on Loan, Tranmere would have had virtually no bone fide right back, apart from Cathalina who was crocked.
At least with Cresswell, there's Bakayogo. I'm not even massively peturbed by the non-existant influx of wingers, having been able to ascertain the suitability, of people like Akins and Cresswell. The right back position was the only place on the pitch, were I did have grave concerns. If Darville didn't extend his contract past January and on current evidence I hope he does, Tranmere would be having to look at experimental players like Blanchard or possibly Bakayogo to slot in, assuming Catahlina was looking like a shakey selection, or try to get another loan player.
Apart from the first half an hour I actually think Blanchard was superb today. I agree with you though - not first choice right back, but I certainly wouldn't hesitate to play him their if their was an injury. Blanchard for me is a "better" Gareth Edds. He wins everything in the air, he's aware and generally a good player at this level. For a club like Tranmere who have a small budget his versatility is vital. He can comfortably play CM, CB and on todays evidence, he can do a job right-back (though as said, preferably only short-term!)
Special mention also for Akins who had by far his best game for us today, thought he was brilliant too.
No one had a bad game though, we were just slow starting, the first ten mins we were sloppy but we kind of got away with it. We didn't concede because of the outfield players sloppyness, it was just a terrible mistake from the 'Keeper.
Was proud of the team,not only did they give as good as they got,they gave back more,best performance against a physical team in years,Blanchard was great at right-back,Jennings ran them ragged & Welsh gave a great Captain's performance,Charlton should have been down to 9 or 10 men,but overall,every player deserved a standing ovation,except maybe Gulacsi,although to be fair he did pull off a fine save to keep us in it
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