Moore: No violins for Leeds from Tranmere

Aug 10 2007 by Nick Hilton, Liverpool Daily Post

MANAGER Ronnie Moore sends his Tranmere Rovers side out into the new season at Prenton Park tomorrow with instructions to banish any thoughts of sympathy for visitors Leeds United.

The fallen Yorkshire giants must start the League One campaign with a 15-point penalty after the Football League rejected their appeal against the deduction yesterday.

It means Dennis Wise and his team have to cope on the field Šwith the fallout from the club’s breach of insolvency regulations during the summer and is another bitter blow to long-sufferingŠ Leeds supporters.

But Moore warns that in spite of the financial difficulties at Elland Road, Leeds can nevertheless put out a line-upŠ capable of posing Ša major threat to any side in the division.

Moore said: “A lot of people have got the violins out forŠLeeds now – and we have got to get our thoughts completely away from that.

“We have got to be professional.Š Leeds are going to be sending a team here on Saturday with a lot of quality in it.ŠWe could not have a bigger opening game for the new season.

“People say they have lost this player and that player but there were still Ša lot of good players in the side I watched in a friendly against Wigan last weekend.Š And they have signed a dozen players this week.”

ŠMoore acknowledges thatŠ Leeds’ prospects of climbing out of the third tier of English football – the lowest ebb of the club’s proud history – will be desperately difficult with a 15 point handicap.

ŠBut he doubts the penalty willŠ dentŠ the fierce determination in the Elland Road dressing-room to giveŠ the mission the best shot they can.

Š“Any team that Dennis Wise sends out is going to be competitive,” Moore said.

Š“He has experienced at this level – though not of dealing with a 15 point deduction.Š That’s where it becomes really hard for Leeds.Š

“They are going to need more than 100 points to be promoted – or 65 points to be safe from relegation.

Š“Leeds will deal with that situation and get on with it.Š We have to be prepared for them coming here with all guns firing on Saturday.”

ŠAfter a nine-game pre-season programme that yielded seven wins and more than 20 goals, Moore insists: “My lads are ready.Š If they can’t Šbe up for a game like this is something wrong.”

ŠThe manager is confident that the arrival of four summer recruits – goalkeeper Danny Coyne, defenders Antony Kay andŠ Ben Chorley and midfielder Adnan Ahmed – has both strengthened and improved Šthe balance of his squad on the group of a year ago.

ŠMoore said: “The players are fit and ready.Š

“There are more leaders on the pitch who can talk and defensively we are stronger.

Š“WeŠ have a goalkeeper who organises and has aŠ pop atŠ the players in front of him.

Š“The defence was our Achilles’ heel last season and I was probably guilty as a manager Šof being naive in the way we approached away games, being too gung ho.

Š“Now we’ve Štaken steps to put that right.ŠIf we can improveŠ the away from last year it should make a significant difference because I’m confident we can be strong at Prenton ParkŠ again this season.”

ŠThe injury concerns that Tranmere took into the start of the week have cleared up, leaving Moore with a full squad to select from.Š

He said: “Even John Mullin, with his ankle injury, has come through this week.ŠIt’s no surprise that when a game likeŠ Leeds comes up, everyone wants to play.

Š“If I was a player and had a knockŠ I would not be saying Šmuch about it this week.Š

“I would want to make it as difficult as possible for the manager to leave me out.ŠThat is what they are doing.”