Zola back in frame to spearhead attack

Aug 31 2007 by Nick Hilton, Liverpool Daily Post

CALVIN ZOLA could be back at the spearhead of Tranmere’s attack for the League One encounter with Yeovil Town tomorrow.

Manager Ronnie Moore reports the six-foot-five striker is making “tremendous” progress in his recovery from a hamstring strain.

Moore had been resigned to heading for Somerset without both of his powerful front man, having also lost the experienced Gareth Taylor to a broken rib in Tranmere’s 2-0 win over Brighton last Saturday.

But Zola has responded well to treatment to the injury he sustained in training a week ago, causing him to miss the Brighton game.

Moore said: “Calvin has done tremendously well over the last few days.

“Now we have to decide whether to take a gamble with him.

“Whether this game is coming a bit too early or not, we will wait and see.

“Whatever happens, young Craig Curran has already shown what he can do when he comes into the side.”

Should Zola fail to make it, Rovers will be left to fall back on a mobile, light-weight strike-force with teenager Curran a likely partner for leading marksman Chris Greenacre.

The uncertainties over the striking positions may influence Moore’s decision about tactics.

Tranmere posted an impressive 2-0 win at Huish Park last February after switching to a 4-5-1 system. Defending well and playing on the break, they took the points with two second-half goals by winger Chris Shuker

Moore has indicated his intention to use the system more often on the road this season. But Rovers have looked solid home and away so far with their staple 4-4-2 set up.

Moore said: “At the moment we are playing 4-4-2 and it looks good. There will be times this season when we do change the way we play but I’m not going to say whether this will be the time.”

A change in Yeovil’s approach is another consideration for the Rovers boss and his staff.

The Glovers, play-off finalists last May, have been using the diamond system in the early games, deploying a player just in front of the back for another just behind the front two. Moore said: “Yeovil had a great season last year.

“I think (manager) Russell Slade did tremendously well to get them into the play-offs. He is a good mate who knows the game inside out.

“They are playing a different shape this season and they will be a big test for us. I think the competition between Yeovil’s front three and our back four will be a good one.”

Yeovil boast an identical August record to Tranmere’s, having lost their opening League One fixture and won the next two.

Rovers saw the early-season performance-level dip slightly in last Saturday’s home game against Brighton, yet they still came out of it with a two-goal success.

Moore said: “It is nice when you don’t play as well as you would like to and still grind out the results. We did not do that too many times last season.

“Now we’ve won two games in a row we are talking about getting on a roll and staying on a roll. Can we make it six games unbeaten? Then can we add another four and get into double figures.

“If we can go on keeping a clean sheets we must have a chance because I’m confident this team will score goals. So it a matter of continuing to defend well.”

Rovers have another injury doubt over John Mullin. The midfielder, plagued by knocks since the pre-season, hurt his ankle in training this week.