Moore backs lone striker for more away days

Oct 8 2007 by Nick Hilton, Liverpool Daily Post

RONNIE MOORE has told supporters to expect to see more of the tactics that earned Tranmere a 2-1 win at Southend and a place at the top of the League One table.

The manager introduced a system featuring a five-man midfield and a single striker for the first time this season – and was rewarded with a performance he described as “the most controlled of our away wins this season”.

Moore added: “I thought the 4-5-1 worked a treat. I had it in my mind that we would have a look at this system on the big pitch at Southend.

“I think it might be used a lot this season.

“We have good players with the ability to go out and do well with it.”

Moore kept strikers Craig Curran and fit-again Calvin Zola on the bench and departed from Tranmere’s staple 4-4-2 set-up after losing striker Chris Greenacre with blood poisoning late last week.

Tranmere’s leading marksman spent the weekend in hospital after picking up the infection.

Moore deployed the experienced Gareth Taylor as the lone target man and he weighed in with a second goal in three games.

Moore also made honourable mention of defender Anthony Kay, who made his first start of the season in midfield, the recalled Carl Tremarco the influential Paul McLaren, and goalkeeper John Achterberg.

He said: “It was a solid, all-round good team performance. We limited a good Southend side to just a few chances.

“I thought we were a little unfortunate to be pegged back to 1-1 just before half-time but after we got the second goal I felt we bossed the game. All credit to the lads.”

Both Tranmere goals, by defender Ben Chorley and Taylor, came from free-kicks and corners delivered with deadly accuracy by McLaren.

Moore said: “I have complained and moaned to the lads about not getting enough goals from set-plays this season so it was back to the drawing board.

“We worked really hard on them this week and I was pleased to get the two goals from them.

“Ben Chorley did not believe he could score from the corner when we practised it, unless he could have a shot rather than a header, and that’s how it happened. Gareth Taylor showed again that if we put the ball in the right place for him, he will score goals.”

Tranmere’s third win in five unbeaten away games might have been more emphatic. They claimed an 80th-minute shot by skipper Ian Goodison crossed the line before Southend’s defenders hacked it clear. Referee Robert Shoebridge and his assistants did not agree.

Moore said: “Our lads in the dressing-room reckon it was a nailed on goal. One or two of the Southend lads said it was a goal as well.”

Moore paid tribute to the 304 Tranmere fans for out-shouting more than 7,000 home fans for most of the afternoon.

He said: “They were to terrific. I hope our home supporters will now turn up in numbers on Friday night when we play Walsall and really get the Friday night atmosphere charged up.”