MANAGER Ronnie Moore offered his thanks to the League One teams who aided Tranmere’s cause on the promotion road and declared: “Now it is time for us to help ourselves.”
Rovers took charge of their own destiny without kicking a ball this week when Scunthorpe, rivals for the last play-off berth, used up a game in hand drawing 3-3 at Northampton.
The result leaves the way clear for Tranmere to secure sixth spot by winning their final two games at home to Yeovil tomorrow and the showdown with Scunthorpe at Glanford Park a week later.
Moore said: “Our fate is in our own hands now. We have been talking for some time about ifs and buts, that this could happen or that could happen. But now the fact is that if we win our last two games we are in the play-offs. It does not matter what Scunthorpe or anybody else does.
“So we have to make sure we go out and do our job -- and that starts by beating Yeovil.”
Scunthorpe, a point behind in seventh spot, can displace Rovers in the top six tonight by spoiling Leicester City’s title celebrations at the Walkers Stadium.
But Moore said: “Scunny’s result at Leicester should not come into our thinking on Saturday. We will know how they have got on but our season depends upon us beating Yeovil. The lads have to make sure they are up for it.”
Moore admits he went through a nerve-wracking night by following the progress of the Northampton – Scunthorpe game on Teletext on Tuesday. He said: “There were some moans and groans and shouts of joy in our house the other night, with the way the scoring in the game went.
“When Northampton levelled it at 3-3 I had to turn the Teletext off and go outside, I was so nervous. I am sure there are plenty of other managers and go through the same thing – but they don’t own up to it.”
Yeovil, four points above the relegation zone with two games to play, will be anxious to make their own League One status safe with a positive result at Prenton Park. Tranmere meanwhile will be looking to add to a total of 15 home wins in the league that is bettered only by Leeds.
Moore said: “This is going to be a difficult game. The pressure comes from what is at stake as well as from the opposition. Anyone who comes expecting us to win 5-0 should think again.”
Rovers hope the special price reduction to £5 for all in the three home stands can generate the largest attendance of the season at Prenton Park. The current best is 8,700 for the visit of Leeds in December. Moore said: “I would love to see a massive crowd here cheering the lads on.”
The manager delays selection until Bas Savage has undergone a fitness test on the Achilles tendon injury he sustained in the 3-1 defeat at Leeds last Saturday. Teenager Terry Gornell is on standby to step into the side if Savage has to miss out.
