Rovers resources set to be pushed to limit

Sep 7 2007 by Nick Hilton, Liverpool Daily Post

RONNIE MOORE may have to test the strength in depth of his squad for the first time this season when Tranmere attempt to regain the winning habit at Carlisle United tomorrow.

The Rovers manager reports seven senior players as doubtful or non-starters for the visit to Brunton Park. Moore says is prepared to hand another chance to players who disappointed him in Tranmere’s 1-0 home defeat to Morecambe in the Johnstone Paints Trophy on Tuesday as the injuries bite.

But he still insists Rovers can muster enough strength to check the progress of an unbeaten Carlisle side who hold second place in the early season League One table.

Moore said: “We are little bit thin on the ground and it’s down to whoever plays to go out there and do the job. If we can play to our strengths and play at the tempo we have done in all our league games so far, then we should have no fears.”

Moore says he holds out little hope that tall strikers Calvin Zola and Gareth Taylor – missing for the past fortnight with hamstring and broken rib injuries respectively -- will be able to play.

Midfielder Paul McLaren, who suffered a thigh injury in the 1-1 draw at Yeovil last weekend, faces a late fitness test, as does winger Chris Shuker, who also has a thigh strain.

The manager won’t be drawn on the identity of the others on the casualty list. He said: “Whether some of them make it or not will be touch and go. There are a few who definitely won’t play – and I don’t want to say who they are.”

Moore admits he was disappointed that a number of fringe players given an opportunity in midweek failed to make the positive impression he was looking for. He said: “It wasn’t a brilliant game on Tuesday and we should not have lost it. We underachieved.

“There were four or five changes to the side. Those lads who came in should have been making it really hard for me, selection-wise, to leave them out. But there were not too many who came out of it with flying colours.

“Maybe some of them will get another chance on Saturday because it will be forced on us.”

Moore made centre-back Antony Kay an exception from his criticisms. The former Barnsley player made his first start of the season against Morecambe and was, according to Moore, “our best player.”

Rovers could well find a room for Kay at Carlisle, given the 24-year-old’s ability to operate in midfield, at right-back or as a centre half.

Whatever the selection, Moore is anxious to see his side make a positive response to the first seriously below-par performance of the new season.

He said: “ It bothers me that we did not play at the right tempo against Morecambe. I’m not saying our players did not want to win the game but we got into a pre-season type of mode in our approach.

“We are not good enough to do that. In fact, there isn’t a side in this division good enough to switch from hot to cold. You have to be hot all of the time.”

Carlisle, eighth-place finishers last season, one point ahead of Tranmere, owe their bright start in the new campaign to a strong rearguard. They have conceded just once in four games and boast the division’s best defensive record.

The Cumbrians don’t appear to be suffering disruption following the surprise departure of manager Neil McDonald, who left following a disagreement with the board after the first game of the season.

Caretaker manager Greg Abbott hopes to secure the job on a permanent basis and a record so far of three straight league wins over Oldham, Huddersfield and Cheltenham can’t be faulted.

Moore said: “Carlisle are a lively side who like to play attacking football and get the ball in the opposition box early.

“We can let our lads know how they play and who the danger men are, where their weaknesses might be. But it is what we do on the ball that counts. We’ve got to be able to hurt them.”