WHAT a disappointing start to the season.

Aug 18 2007 Liverpool Daily Post

Two games played, two defeats and our interest in the League Cup ended at the first round stage for the third year running.

The days of swash buckling cup runs are becoming a fading memory.

The most frustrating aspect of both defeats is the feeling of deja-vu. It’s almost as if the close season has not happened and we are still stuck in the spring, unable to kill teams off when we are in the ascendancy and always liable to fall for the sucker punch.

Against Leeds especially, the similarities with last season when Rovers regularly turned in Jekyll and Hyde performances either side of half-time, were alarming.

Rovers bossed the game in the opening 45 minutes playing neat attractive football that merited more than the single goal lead.

Unfortunately, the second period saw the team lose their way, seemingly unable to adapt to the more controlled approach of the visitors who had been given a half-time dressing down by manager Denis Wise. When the goals came, both were gifted courtesy of some dreadful set piece defending and it was no surprise to hear there had been arguments in the dressing room at full-time.

At Stockport, the stats show that Rovers dominated in both possession and chances created but ultimately they paid for their lack of clinical finishing when a lapse in concentration in the closing stages saw the hosts snatch a late victory. So despite some encouraging signs in both games Rovers visit Gillingham today under a little bit of pressure to get the show on the road.

But it’s early days and hopefully we will stay positive and – more importantly – cut out the silly mistakes.

BY DAVE KNOTT

Tranmere Supporter