IAN THOMAS-MOORE wants to see the uncertainty over the manager's position at Tranmere resolved quickly, for the sake of the team.
The experienced match skipper says the drawn out search for a long-term successor to John Barnes, now in its fifth week, has become unsettling.
“I think the situation is affecting us,” Thomas-Moore said. “It is a little bit unsettling. It needs addressing and it needs doing sooner rather than later.”
Thomas-Moore has no complaints with the caretaker regime headed by long serving physio Les Parry.
He said: “Whether Les gets the job full-time or someone else comes in, it needs sorting out one way or the other. It is affecting the players. Hopefully something will happen soon.”
The names of dozens of potential candidates have been linked to the post vacated by the sacking of John Barnes on October 9. The strongest and most recent rumours concern Rochdale manager Keith Hill.
But there has been no announcement from the boardroom other than a message from chairman Peter Johnson saying that: “It is vitally important we make the right decision so we have not rushed into anything.”
Meanwhile, Parry, who is supported by coaches Shaun Garnett and Wayne Allison, have been successful in lifting performance levels and stiffening the resolve of a team that suffered a number of heavy defeats under Barnes.
Results are not quite reflecting the upturn in Tranmere's form however -otherwise Parry might have been handed the job on a permanent basis. Rovers stand next to bottom of the League One table with 10 points from 15 games as they prepare to head for Norwich City on Saturday.
Moore said: “It is a fact that results have not been as good as a lot of the performances recently. There are a lot of players, including myself, who are lacking a bit of confidence and we need to get it back.”
Thomas-Moore, Tranmere's leading marksman with four strikes this season, has not scored since hitting the winner at Wycombe Wanderers at the end of September. He paid the price last weekend by losing his place in the side for the FA Cup first-round tie against Leyton Orient.
The 1-1 draw with the Londoners was typical of Tranmere's fortunes since Parry took charge. They played well enough to merit a victory but with only Chris Shuker's 51st minute goal to show for their efforts, had to settle for a replay at Brisbane Road next Tuesday.
Thomas-Moore said: “There's still a chance for us to have a run in the FA Cup and that might get some confidence back into the players. We need back-to-back wins, a couple of big results. That really would start breeding some confidence.”
Thomas-Moore added: “When you think back to last season and the form we had Prenton Park, it must be frustrating for the fans to watch the way we are playing at the moment. It is as frustrating for us players as it is for them.”
l Tranmere return to reserve team action tonight when they take on Accrington Stanley in a totesport.com Division One West fixture at Cammell Laird's Kirklands ground, kick-off 7pm. Admission is £3 for adults and £1 for concessions.
Rovers' FA Youth Cup second round tie against Cambridge United will be staged at Prenton Park on Wednesday, November 18, kick-off 7pm.
