MANAGER Les Parry admits he is attempting to readjust the defensive bearings of his Tranmere side as they prepare to take on powerful promotion challengers Southampton at Prenton Park this weekend.

Parry reckons enforced changes of personnel in the back four, together with a change in formation from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2, contributed to an increase in goals conceded over recent games.

Rovers have leaked 11 goals in five League One games since the end of November and Parry said: “We have been shipping goals since going to 4-4-2 so we need to work on that. We can’t afford to be needing to score three goals to win a game, or four goals in the case of our last home match against Walsall.”

The onus to tighten up will run right through the team with much of the focus on the midfield men.

Parry explained: “Joss Labadie is a natural attacking midfielder so he will go gung ho. He is like most players – they are really good at running forwards but not so good at running back towards their own goal. It is as if the pitch is on an almighty slope. It is downhill to the opposition goal and uphill back to our own goal. So we need to do some work on that.”

A run of injuries to defensive players is also contributing to the problem, forcing Parry to change the make-up of his back line from week to week.

Defensive strongman Ian Goodison will once again be missing against the Saints and Parry admits the experienced Jamaican centre back is making slow progress in fighting off a knee injury.

Right back Tim Cathalina and versatile Frenchman Max Blanchard remain on the long-term casualty list and left back Zoumana Bakayogo is ruled out of contention tomorrow. The Frenchman has four stitches in a cut on the top of his left foot, sustained in the 2-0 defeat at MK Dons last Saturday.

Young centre back prospect Nick Wood turned over an ankle in training this week but Parry at least has the option of recalling Marlon Broomes to the defence.