Tranmere better balanced this time out says Moore

Jul 10 2007 by Nick Hilton, Liverpool Daily Post

RONNIE MOORE believes he will take a better balanced Tranmere Rovers squad into the new League One campaign than the one he commanded a year ago.

The Prenton Park manager says he is “very satisfied” with the four signings made so far this summer and declares: “I think there is every reason for supporters to be hopeful about our prospects.”

Moore addressed the shortage of cover at the back that created selection problems last season by recruiting two defenders and a goalkeeper this month.

Ben Chorley, signed from MK Dons is a forceful centre half. Antony Kay, recruited from Barnsley, is a defender who likes to play from the back and, like the departed Chris McCready, can operate at a centre back or full-back.

Moore said: “The two centre backs are both 24 years old and they each have hundreds of games under their belts.

“They are like chalk and cheese as players. Kay is the footballer. He can play centre back, right back, even centre midfield. Looking at him in training, he has tremendous feet and excellent ability.

“Chorley is the kind of player we have been looking for: an out and out at centre half who can win the headers and dominate.

“Their arrival means the balance of the squad is better. Now we have four players who can play centre back: Ian Goodison, Shane Sherriff, Kay and Chorley. So there is good competition and a nice blend.”

Moore reckons Rovers have secured the services of the “best goalkeeper in League One” by persuading Danny Coyne, 33, to return to Prenton Park.

The Wales international, who left Rovers in 1999 for spells with Grimsby, Leicester City and Burnley, replaces the departed Gavin Ward and can expect competition for the number one spot from goalkeeping coach John Achterberg.

Moore said: “Danny is a proven goalkeeper in the Championship and to bring him here is a terrific signing. He has been here before and the crowd know all about him. We saw last season how important the goalkeeping situation is.

“That’s no disrespect to what Gavin Ward did. Goalkeepers do make mistakes and the crowd did give him some stick – some unwarranted at times.

“Gavin was unfortunate that he made his mistakes in big games, like Blackpool and Oldham away and Huddersfield at home rather than times when we were 3-0 up and they did not matter.”

Moore added to his midfield options by making Adnan Ahmed and early summer signing from Huddersfield.

He sees the 23-year-old as a player whose full potential is not yet fully realised.

Moore said: “When Adnan came into the game he looked like he was going to be a world beater. He lost his way a little bit and picked up one or two knocks.

“I think if we treat him in the right way and look after him we can bring more out of him.”

Moore took a little longer over the recruiting process this summer than last, when his arrival at Prenton Park was quickly followed by nine signings.

He admitted: “It took time to bring in four players and I imagine that one or two supporters were getting anxious and wondering what was going on down here.

“The reason for the slow progress was a lot of competition for the players we wanted. It was a question of trying to convince people to come here rather than go elsewhere.

“Ben Chorley wanted to come here straight away.

“Danny Coyne wanted to play in the Championship and I’ve told him he can do that by winning promotion with us.