Management left to sweat after knocks

Jul 31 2007 by Nick Hilton, Liverpool Daily Post

TRANMERE ROVERS face an anxious wait before they can assess the impact of the injuries sustained by midfielders John Mullin and Steve Jennings last night.

The pair were forced to limp out of Tranmere’s 1-0 win over Altrincham at Moss Lane after taking knocks.

Assistant manager Peter Shirtliff said he hoped the problems would not be serious enough to jeopardise the pair’s chances of being fit and available for the start of the League One campaign in 11 days’ time.

Shirtliff said: “The game was quite physical at times with some strong challenges and we picked up a couple of knocks.

“We are hoping they are not going to be too serious but we can’t be sure at this stage.

“We will have to wait a day or two for the injuries to John Mullin and Steve Jennings to settle down.

“We want all of the players available and in good shape for the first game on August 11 – that’s the number one aim.”

Rovers indulged in some tactical experiments with a mixed line-up of senior and junior professionals.

Shirtliff said: “I thought the players worked hard. We had a look at 4-3-3 formation but we got more width and better quality of delivery into the box when we switched to a 4-4-2 later on.

“You have to try these things.”

Shirtliff had words of encouragement over the performances of Carl Tremarco and youth team defender Ashton Taylor, who operated alongside Ben Chorley at centre-back.

“Ashton did well in his first game with the seniors,” Shirtliff said. “His positional play may need a bit of work but he looked comfortable.”

Manger Ronnie Moore stayed away from Moss Lane last night after going down with a stomach bug.