Ronnie Moore taking positives from Tranmere defeat

Aug 13 2007 by Nick Hilton, Liverpool Daily Post

Ronnie Moore (158)

MANAGER Ronnie Moore refused to be downhearted by Tranmere’s opening day defeat to Leeds United.

“There were a lot of good things to come out of the game for us – in spite of the result,” Moore said.

Tranmere, ahead through Chris Greenacre’s 21st minute strike, were beaten by second-half goals from defender Matt Heath and Tresor Kandol as Leeds fought back.

“We were beaten by two goals that resulted from set plays and that is disappointing,” Moore complained.

“We were mugged.

“But I don’t think people should get their heads down.

“We were nice and bright in the first half and I thought we deserved to be more than one goal up at half-time.

“But we did not get that second goal and we knew Leeds were going to get a rollicking from Dennis Wise at half-time and responded. Unfortunately, we did not kick on ourselves.”

Moore said he would be looking at replays of the free-kick and long throw that led to Leeds’ second-half goals.

He explained: “We talked about not giving free-kicks away around penalty area. We did not concede any in the first half but there were two early on after the break and they scored from the second one.

“We were naive in setting up the defensive wall. We had five people in there when two or three should have been enough. We had an argument about it in the dressing-room and we will have a look on the video. But Leeds ended up with two men unmarked at the back post to score and they were back in the game.

“The second goal resulted from the fact that we could not handle a long throw. We allowed them to get a cross in from which Kandol scored.

“That was like a knife to the heart as we deserved to take something from the game. If it had been a boxing match, I think we would have won it on points. We made Leeds struggle.”

Moore is confident Tranmere “can win” their Carling Cup first-round tie at Stockport County tomorrow (7.45pm) if they produce a performance of similar quality.

Moore explained that he withdrew goalscorer Chris Greenacre late in the game because the striker was having breathing difficulties. But he reported no injuries.

Leeds chairman Ken Bates, a tax exile who was not a Prenton Park on Saturday, intends to fight on against 15-point penalty, imposed by the Football League, as punishment for the club’s failure to adhere to insolvency regulations over recent months.

Moore said: “Leeds have a mountain to climb but they continue to enjoy the little bit of luck they had against us, it will no be long before they claw the other 12 points back.”