Tranmere Rovers
The ‘R’ word re-enters our vocabulary
Crest
By Barry Green
February 14 2024
2-0 up to 2-3 down. Beggars belief. Cruising inside ten minutes, cursing after 95. The Morecambe game was a wake up call. We need to improve. Worse still, we are heading in the wrong direction and there is a danger that we are back in a relegation battle. What's gone wrong?
The starting point is that we seem to have put all our eggs in the Rob Apter basket. Rob is a fine player, no doubt, but he is not able to deliver victory for us alone. Snuffle him out and you neutralise the whole team. Against Morecambe he was our main and only outlet. Saunders was effective until he tired but Rob was being called upon to continually make a difference. His energy levels didn't maintain the demands placed upon him, although he worked hard. The same can be said of Conner Jenning, Connor Wood and Tom Davies, they all put in a decent shift. Their team mates? Well, let's be kind and say that they were distracted by the death of Steve Wright or the row over Labour's candidate in Rochdale.
The problem is that it was clear we needed more than Apter in January. The absence of fresh blood and the failure to bring in new talent means that we are left with the sow's ear, not a silk purse. This is a huge squad. If you look up to the back of the main stand during a game you can see all the players we have sat, mostly dejected, at the back of the posh seats. Some of them could offer us something different, something better even, but they are not being played. Sam Taylor, Chris Merrie and the plethora of non playing squad members might be given a chance. Instead we had Paul Lewis entering the fray, only to give away the free kick that resulted in the winning goal and making no other contribution.
Some will say that we have to wait until the summer before we can have a clear out, then things will improve. Yet it's far from clear where the nucleus of this team lies or who Adkins will build a team around. Our chairman is not going to suddenly find enough money to transform us. My point is that it's unlikely we will be able to totally restructure. Some of the current squad have got to start earning their keep rather than stealing a wage.
Before Christmas there was optimistic talk of reaching the play offs. That seems a distant prospect now. We may only be 10 points adrift, but we are a million miles off the quality we need to be. Worse still, if results continue like this, we will end up in a relegation battle. The 14 point gap could be down to 11 by Saturday. We've got a game at FGR coming up, and that's starting to feel like a 6 pointer.
It's time for supporters and players to give their all. It's also time for our Board to explain how they see next year being different to this. What's that we can hear? Silence.
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Discussion started by Total Tranmere (IP Logged), 14/02/2024 10:10
14/02/2024 10:10
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it hasn't entered my vocabulary - two losses is hardly the end of the world...
yes, there needs to be a change of some personnel in the summer but the team is unlikely end up anywhere near Sutton and FGR positions.
as for more players - there are already 30 players at the club. In January, things were looking rosy so no rush to change at that point, even if anyone was available, which didn't seem to be the case.
Norris returning, perhaps with Dennis as partner up front could be a panacea to scoring ills. time will tell.
yes, there needs to be a change of some personnel in the summer but the team is unlikely end up anywhere near Sutton and FGR positions.
as for more players - there are already 30 players at the club. In January, things were looking rosy so no rush to change at that point, even if anyone was available, which didn't seem to be the case.
Norris returning, perhaps with Dennis as partner up front could be a panacea to scoring ills. time will tell.
I doubt that we will go down unless we go on a poor run and FGR hit promotion form, but neither is impossible.
The fact remains that last night looked remarkably like the Dawes period and was a reminder of the limitations of the squad. Without Walker the midfield was lightweight and Apter and Jennings made a greater defensive contribution defensively than the rest of the mid-field. Maclear and Hendy were defensively lightweight and Morris is a player far below his form of a couple of seasons ago. For all Saunders made a significant contribution to the first goal, he too often makes little impact and Lewis is largely anonymous when he does play. i think that NA has done remarkably well to get points from this squad and yes a fit Norris could make a difference, but it does not disguise the fact that like most teams in the lower half of this division we will need some significant reconstruction come the summer.
I think it was right,however,not to attempt this in January. The choices in the summer are far greater and you can get wages off the books
The fact remains that last night looked remarkably like the Dawes period and was a reminder of the limitations of the squad. Without Walker the midfield was lightweight and Apter and Jennings made a greater defensive contribution defensively than the rest of the mid-field. Maclear and Hendy were defensively lightweight and Morris is a player far below his form of a couple of seasons ago. For all Saunders made a significant contribution to the first goal, he too often makes little impact and Lewis is largely anonymous when he does play. i think that NA has done remarkably well to get points from this squad and yes a fit Norris could make a difference, but it does not disguise the fact that like most teams in the lower half of this division we will need some significant reconstruction come the summer.
I think it was right,however,not to attempt this in January. The choices in the summer are far greater and you can get wages off the books
To hit the magical 50pt mark we need to average 0.9 pts a game (relegation form) and fgr to get 51 pts they will need to average 1.9 pts (promotion form). I think our great form over Christmas and their basket case decision to hire deeney has helped us, plus yesterday was poor but we aren't usually that poor and we still had chances to win it. Its a tough result to take but I think it'd take a seismic shift for us to go down and not fgr, grimsby or Colchester. If you need further reasons to feel optimistic, look at fgr's last 7 games or so. They play 7 promotion chasers so that could very easily be 7 losses. And I'd say Colchester and grimsby all have tougher run ins than we do. Get walker back and hopefully norris will survive more than 3 weeks and I think we'll be fine. We're closer to the play offs than 23rd points wise, it's worth remembering that.
we are not going down...45 pts will keep us safe..2 more wins and 2 more draws and we'll be ok.
R there there 
Then I ate his Liver.......... with some baked beans and a can of coke.
Then I ate his Liver.......... with some baked beans and a can of coke.
We need to sort things out and quickly. We were dominated by Morecambe last night who were far better organised. Our midfield of Morris, Hendry and McAlear - and both fullbacks - were just completely overrun by a team of loanees and players who are all out of contract at the end of the season. The corner count says it all.
Well done Ged Brannan. But we are going to be in trouble unless it is sorted quickly...
Well done Ged Brannan. But we are going to be in trouble unless it is sorted quickly...
It was bad, I'm not going to defend the performance because it was terrible. But we're way ahead of 23rd I doubt even the teams below us even really consider us as part of the relegation battle. Things of course may change if we go on a horror run of form but I don't think we will. 3 more wins and a couple of draws will see us safe. Fgr will need promotion form to catch us if we get above 45 points and yeah they did beat a good barrow side, but I remember us beating micky mellons Shrewsbury who went up the season we dropped out the football league so these results do happen.
Quote:BebingtonRover
To hit the magical 50pt mark we need to average 0.9 pts a game (relegation form) and fgr to get 51 pts they will need to average 1.9 pts (promotion form). I think our great form over Christmas and their basket case decision to hire deeney has helped us, plus yesterday was poor but we aren't usually that poor and we still had chances to win it. Its a tough result to take but I think it'd take a seismic shift for us to go down and not fgr, grimsby or Colchester. If you need further reasons to feel optimistic, look at fgr's last 7 games or so. They play 7 promotion chasers so that could very easily be 7 losses. And I'd say Colchester and grimsby all have tougher run ins than we do. Get walker back and hopefully norris will survive more than 3 weeks and I think we'll be fine. We're closer to the play offs than 23rd points wise, it's worth remembering that.
Quote:BebingtonRover
To hit the magical 50pt mark we need to average 0.9 pts a game (relegation form) and fgr to get 51 pts they will need to average 1.9 pts (promotion form). I think our great form over Christmas and their basket case decision to hire deeney has helped us, plus yesterday was poor but we aren't usually that poor and we still had chances to win it. Its a tough result to take but I think it'd take a seismic shift for us to go down and not fgr, grimsby or Colchester. If you need further reasons to feel optimistic, look at fgr's last 7 games or so. They play 7 promotion chasers so that could very easily be 7 losses. And I'd say Colchester and grimsby all have tougher run ins than we do. Get walker back and hopefully norris will survive more than 3 weeks and I think we'll be fine. We're closer to the play offs than 23rd points wise, it's worth remembering that.
But how many times have players like Walker and Hendry in midfield ... or O'Connor, Wood, Turnbull and Yarney behind them ... hit the back of the net, taking the pressure of our forwards. Not enough - I think there is a total of one goal scored added up from all of them.
We're not going down - we took a bit of a gamble and bought two of last years top scorers but it hasnt worked out, if it had we would probably be in the play off positions. It's going to be a very boring end to the season, but it's not like we haven't had this before.
Quote:I'm hoping Nige can maintain a bit of positivity with most of the squad playing for a contract. Might still get some committed performances (he said, hopefully).mogsy73
We're not going down - we took a bit of a gamble and bought two of last years top scorers but it hasnt worked out, if it had we would probably be in the play off positions. It's going to be a very boring end to the season, but it's not like we haven't had this before.
Quote:mogsy73
We're not going down - we took a bit of a gamble and bought two of last years top scorers but it hasnt worked out, if it had we would probably be in the play off positions. It's going to be a very boring end to the season, but it's not like we haven't had this before.
The trouble is that gamble was made more risky by one of the two being injured before he arrived and being aware of it and having no plan b for using Dennis who has a track record of scoring goals with his previous clubs. Nor is this a one off ,our recruitment was similarly skewed last season as well.
I don’t subscribe to the myth of Tranmere being a big club but we should be capable of being play off contenders most years. I think we’re underperforming at the strategic level. Being able to drown my sorrows in the Fan Zone if it ever opens, is poor consolation.
And then it leaves out vocabulary 3 days later. We were well clear of relegation anyway before today, we may be hit and miss but we can actually win games under Nige.
Quote:dave-p
17 points above the drop zone. I think we're ok.
Yes!
***SPORTY VIKINGS - BBC Radio Merseyside with Sean Styles****
👊👊 [tinyurl.com] 👊👊
Quote:ALOTBSOL
Next article - "Has the 'P' word re-entered our vocabulary?"
lol
Very doubtful however, cast your minds back to our playoff win against Newport.
We were well outside the playoff positions albeit higher than the 17th, we are now and won I think it was 7 straight home and away and never looked back.
We were well outside the playoff positions albeit higher than the 17th, we are now and won I think it was 7 straight home and away and never looked back.
Looking safer, but two tricky away games. If we turn on the style like we did today no team will want to play us.
I wouldn’t say two tricky away games, next three fixtures we should be looking for maximum points and things will be looking a lot better
Any game is potentially tricky, and we just battered the league leaders. Funny old game...
Quote:Zint
Looking safer, but two tricky away games. If we turn on the style like we did today no team will want to play us.
I know we could win or lose anything but there’s not a chance Forest Green are going to make up 18 points on us.
Play offs we currently need 70 to squeak in on the last place, which always seems quite detached when I occasionally look. Simply ten out of thirteen wins. Relegation is far less likely, we're done for the season!
It would be nice, in the circumstances, for Nigel to bring in some of the younger players to assess them. Not saying now, but once we have accumulated 50pts. By my reckoning that should give us half a dozen games to see what some of the squad have got and make decisions for next term.
[
Hopefully, we will also have the opportunity to see what Norris and Dennis can do as the two up front. I’m also confused as to why Sam Taylor isn’t in contention. He must not be impressing in the training regime. A lot of youngsters also need to ‘grow’ in stature. Not everyone is built like Rooney was at 17!
I’m also interested in why Jolley isn’t the brilliant prospect Keith said he was.
quote Zint]It would be nice, in the circumstances, for Nigel to bring in some of the younger players to assess them. Not saying now, but once we have accumulated 50pts. By my reckoning that should give us half a dozen games to see what some of the squad have got and make decisions for next term.[/quote]
Hopefully, we will also have the opportunity to see what Norris and Dennis can do as the two up front. I’m also confused as to why Sam Taylor isn’t in contention. He must not be impressing in the training regime. A lot of youngsters also need to ‘grow’ in stature. Not everyone is built like Rooney was at 17!
I’m also interested in why Jolley isn’t the brilliant prospect Keith said he was.
quote Zint]It would be nice, in the circumstances, for Nigel to bring in some of the younger players to assess them. Not saying now, but once we have accumulated 50pts. By my reckoning that should give us half a dozen games to see what some of the squad have got and make decisions for next term.[/quote]
been impressed with Saunders in the last couple of games, he definitely deserves to start ahead of Jolley...Dennis has been a let down and there is always the possibilty that Norris will breakdown again.
I agree about Saunders but remember there were those on here criticising him in the past. So good management improves player performance. As for Dennis, he hasn’t had enough time to establish himself, especially given prior to Nigel, ther team was incapable of providing a service to him. He isn’t a Norwood.
It maybe that he’ll never fit the way Nigel wants the team to play.
Norris didn’t have a history of regular injury - it will depend on how well the operation went. I’m hopeful he will be that goal poacher the team needs.
It maybe that he’ll never fit the way Nigel wants the team to play.
Norris didn’t have a history of regular injury - it will depend on how well the operation went. I’m hopeful he will be that goal poacher the team needs.
Quote:hong kong rover
been impressed with Saunders in the last couple of games, he definitely deserves to start ahead of Jolley...Dennis has been a let down and there is always the possibilty that Norris will breakdown again.
[quote ALOTBSOL ][
Hopefully, we will also have the opportunity to see what Norris and Dennis can do as the two up front. I’m also confused as to why Sam Taylor isn’t in contention. He must not be impressing in the training regime. A lot of youngsters also need to ‘grow’ in stature. Not everyone is built like Rooney was at 17!
I’m also interested in why Jolley isn’t the brilliant prospect Keith said he was.
quote Zint]It would be nice, in the circumstances, for Nigel to bring in some of the younger players to assess them. Not saying now, but once we have accumulated 50pts. By my reckoning that should give us half a dozen games to see what some of the squad have got and make decisions for next term.[/quote][/quote]
I think with jolley, he missed like 18 months with injury didn't he and he's not been the same player that kept an in form paul glatzel out the team after he came back from Chester on loan. In my opinion he could have done with another spell in non league to build back up to football league level but I do fear that the injury may have taken away his frightening pace he once had because he has scored a few really well-taken goals this season.
Hopefully, we will also have the opportunity to see what Norris and Dennis can do as the two up front. I’m also confused as to why Sam Taylor isn’t in contention. He must not be impressing in the training regime. A lot of youngsters also need to ‘grow’ in stature. Not everyone is built like Rooney was at 17!
I’m also interested in why Jolley isn’t the brilliant prospect Keith said he was.
quote Zint]It would be nice, in the circumstances, for Nigel to bring in some of the younger players to assess them. Not saying now, but once we have accumulated 50pts. By my reckoning that should give us half a dozen games to see what some of the squad have got and make decisions for next term.[/quote][/quote]
I think with jolley, he missed like 18 months with injury didn't he and he's not been the same player that kept an in form paul glatzel out the team after he came back from Chester on loan. In my opinion he could have done with another spell in non league to build back up to football league level but I do fear that the injury may have taken away his frightening pace he once had because he has scored a few really well-taken goals this season.
Saunders ball-win and cross for Jennings 4th goal was sublime. He is looking more and more like Parky was
It's not re-entered my vocabulary just yet but if we lose on Saturday it just might
R for rubbish remains firmly in my vocabulary.Last night served to show why a good chunk of this squad need to go
After todays win over Sutton and with FGR losing it's R for RELAX.....You can relax and rest easy now Crazylegs,. We might not be much cop but we ain't going down me ol' mucker!
Quote:Big cheers in House Crazylegs when Robbie's goal went in!hong kong rover
After todays win over Sutton and with FGR losing it's R for RELAX.....You can relax and rest easy now Crazylegs,. We might not be much cop but we ain't going down me ol' mucker!
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