Moore opts for cautious approach on the road

Aug 14 2007 by Nick Hilton, Liverpool Daily Post

TRANMERE ROVERS will put aside plans to adopt a more cautious approach on the road when they make the Carling Cup journey to Stockport County tonight.

Manager Ronnie Moore has pledged to make Rovers “harder to beat and less gung-ho” in away games this season.

But he says the first-round tie at Edgeley Park (7.45pm) is not the right occasion to introduce a change of tactics.

“We will be doing everything we can to win this game and go as far as we can in the competition,” Moore said.

“It’s a cup tie and we might as well have ago. It’s not as if we can bring Stockport back to Prenton Park for a replay. It’s decided on the night.”

Rovers are likely to stick with a familiar 4-4-2 formation against League Two opponents who narrowly missed out on the play-offs last season.

Moore hopes winger Chris Shuker and striker Chris Greenacre can shake off knocks picked up in Tranmere’s opening day defeat to Leeds United.

Moore said: “I can’t see myself making many changes. It is whether we stick with the same side that played against Leeds or tinker with it.

“No-one deserved to be left out on last Saturday’s performance.”

The manager admits his selection will also be influenced by the physical challenge Stockport present.

“Stockport are a big side and we have to make sure we match them physically,” Moore said.

We don’t want to be going there with too many players who are under five foot ten because you will end up being totally dominated.

“A lot of teams in League Two play route one football. I think we will find this is going to be a physical battle and we have to be up for the fight.

“We have the players here who should be able to do the job we want – in the right manner.”

Moore sees six-foot-five target man Matty McNeill as a key figure in Stockport’s pattern of play and worked with centre-back Gareth Owen and midfielders Adam Griffin and Jason Taylor at Oldham two years ago.

“I know these players and they will probably feel they have a point to prove,” Moore said. “I also know the manager, Jim Gannon, very well.

“They had a brilliant run last season and were unfortunate to miss out on the play-offs on goal difference. Jim has brought in one or two players in the summer to strengthen it.”

The prize at stake for all of the first round combatants this week is the chance to meet a Premiership club at a later stage in the competition.

Moore said: “When the big teams come in, a lot of them don’t treat this competition as well as it should be treated. You see some of them fielding weaker line-ups. That can be an opportunity for clubs like us. We have a chance to have a real roll at it.”

Rovers nursed Shuker and Greenacre through training yesterday and Moore is confident the pair will be fit for selection.

Shuker in particular took a battering on Saturday. Moore described the 2-1 reverse to Leeds as “a pleasing performance with the wrong result”.