RONNIE MOORE is dreaming of leading a side out at Wembley and is trying to convince his Tranmere players that this season’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy is the best opportunity for both him and themselves.
Victory in tonight’s tie against a Morecambe side lying 17th in League Two would put Rovers into the Northern semi-finals and Moore admits he can almost smell going down Wembley Way.
He said: “It’s not a matter of ‘we’re only playing in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy’ – as far as we’re concerned we want to win this competition.
“As a manager I want to lead a side out at Wembley – I haven’t done it. I’ve been to Wembley five times as an assistant manager and I know what the feeling is like when you get there so I’d really like to walk my side out there.”
Although Tranmere’s neighbours from ‘across the water’ Everton and Liverpool were regular visitors to the twin towers, Rovers were actually the last Merseyside club to play at the old Wembley Stadium when they faced Leicester City in the League Cup Final in 2000.
So the prospect of beating the two Premier League giants in becoming the first Merseyside team to play at the new Wembley excites Moore greatly. He said: “That would be something – not half.
“I’m excited about it and I want to be instilling what I’m feeling into the players for the game.
“You don’t get that many opportunities to play at Wembley, especially at League One level, so if you’re a player and you can smell that opportunity don’t waste it because you’ve got to grab it as they don’t come along that often.”
Moore is even hopeful of bringing a few fans who usually watch their football at Goodison Park and Anfield along if Tranmere go all the way as he acknowledges that victory tonight could suddenly increase interest in their progress.
He said: “The way attendances are, not just here but all over, it’s vital you do get on a decent cup run to bring the money in.
“In this kind of competition the crowds don’t get too interested in the early rounds but we’ve had a really good following in this competition with 2,500-3,000 if you look at some of the gates at other games.
“But if you can get into that area final, all of a sudden that 2,500 becomes 30,000 because it’s a nice day out at Wembley.
“The Everton and Liverpool supporters join forces with our spectators and enjoy the day.”
Rovers were unceremoniously dumped out of the same competition by Morecambe at Prenton Park 14 months ago when a Jamie Burns goal saw the Shrimps triumph 1-0 so Moore will not be taking the opposition lightly.
He said: “The fact they knocked us out last season does give us an added motivation but we want to be in the semi-final.
“We’ll be playing a side that we think can get us there but we won’t think we’ve just got to turn up and it’s going to happen.
“We know they’re capable of winning but we’ve got to make sure that we don’t get frustrated. We’ve got to keep moving the ball and passing it well and get Chris Shuker in the game. It’s a question of how many crosses we can get in the box and Andrew Taylor is back now.”
Morecambe have been struggling in League Two recently but manager Sammy McIlroy will have been boosted by a 2-0 home win over Aldershot at the weekend for his first victory in 10 games.
Nevertheless, Moore, who will give late fitness checks to Ben Chorley (groin strain) and Bas Savage (chest infection) is expecting the Lancashire club to adopt a cautious strategy.
He said: “We know it’s going to be a tough game – but I think it’s about what we do really.
“We’ve had them watched three or four times, they play 3-5-2 so we’ve got to look at how we play. Do we go back to 4-4-2, do we stick with the 4-5-1 or go 4-3-3 and have a real go at them.
“I think they’ll come and play it really cagey and if they get penalties out of it then so be it – I’m sure that’s what they’ll be saying.
“But we shouldn’t fear anybody and we’ve got to make the home advantage tell.”
