McLaren: Fitness key to Tranmere’s title challenge

Aug 25 2007 by Nick Hilton, Liverpool Daily Post

PAUL McLAREN believes Tranmere have the potential to mount another promotion challenge this season.

But the experienced midfielder suspects that injuries and suspensions could once again make a significant impact on Rovers’ ability to sustain that challenge over the full course of the League One campaign.

Tranmere, a top six side during the first two thirds of last season, ran out of steam in the final two months when lack of cover and competition for the defensive positions took a toll on performances and results.

McLaren agrees that the first-team pool is stronger and better balanced than the one of a year ago after manager Ronnie Moore made four summer signings: goalkeeper Danny Coyne, defenders Ben Chorley and Antony Kay and midfielder Adnan Ahmed.

But a squad boasting fewer than 20 experienced professionals, backed up by a clutch of young hopefuls, could be tested once again in the numbers game if fortune runs against them.

McLaren said: “I think we will need to keep everyone fit as much as possible.

“The size of the squad isn’t a lot different to last season but I would agree it’s better balanced. There is experienced cover in all of the positions now, most particularly a lot more cover at the back with Ben and Antony coming in.

“At the moment we have competition in all areas and experienced professionals on the bench. Injuries and suspensions might affect us but I think we are strong enough to be in there at the finish.”

McLaren was forced to miss just four out of 46 league games last season, establishing himself as one of the most consistent performers in Moore’s team in a central midfield partnership with John Mullin.

The former Luton, Sheffield Wednesday and Rotherham midfielder will be one of the first names to go down on the Tranmere team sheet for this afternoon’s encounter with Brighton at Prenton Park.

However, McLaren finds himself operating alongside a new central midfield partner, as Steve Jennings makes the most of an opportunity to stake in early-season claim.

McLaren said: “I enjoy playing alongside each of them. Steve has come in and done really well this season while Mulls had some bad luck with injuries.

“Jenno never really got a chance in the side last year and he went out on loan to Hereford for a few months.

“But you can tell things about players in training and I think you can see Jenno has all the attributes to be a good player.

“He has the bit between his teeth and really deserves his place. It is his to throw away now because he is really playing well.”

Jennings’ defensive qualities and tenacious tackling give McLaren greater scope to press forward than when he is playing alongside Mullin, an instinctive attacking midfielder.

McLaren said: “When I’m playing alongside Mulls I am more cautious about pushing myself forward because he likes to get into the box. He scored us quite a few goals last season.

“With Jenno it’s more or less an evenly shared.

“The whole picture can change, of course, because there is good competition in our position.

“If one man loses form, the gaffer has options: Adnan Ahmed, Mulls or Antony Kay who can play in the middle of the park. There is always someone looking over your shoulder.”

McLaren was relieved to see Tranmere put their first points on the board with an assured 2-0 win at Gillingham last Saturday after losing the opening League One game at home to Leeds.

Now he is anxious to see Rovers post a first win at Prenton Park at the expense of a Brighton side he expects to be “solid and well-organised.”

McLaren said: “I think we played well in the first half against Leeds and it was very disappointing to lose the game. But we have given our home supporters a taste of what we can do.”

McLaren acknowledges League One is the most difficult division to predict, adding: “It is the only division where there are no clear favourites.”

He went on: “Forest have spent a lot of money by this division’s standards and you would expect them to be up there.

“But the same could be said of them last year and they did not get beyond the play-offs.

“It’s so hard to pick winners because everyone in the division is capable of beating everyone else.

“We might see a picture starting to emerge after 10 to 15 games of who is going to be up there challenging. It will be interesting. Looking at our squad, I think we should be in the shake-up.”