Ronnie Moore: Speculation is credit to Tranmere Rovers’ form

Oct 16 2007 by Nick Hilton, Liverpool Daily Post

TRANMERE manager Ronnie Moore insists he would be “wrong” to even consider reports placing his name in the frame for the vacant job at Millwall.

But Moore believes the link is a sure sign that the rest of football is taking notice of Rovers’ success this season.

Moore, under contract at Prenton Park until the summer said: “I am employed here and I’m loving it here.

“It would be wrong of me to even consider this. We are second to top of the league and Millwall are near the bottom, so I don’t think it needs a lot of working out to be fair.

“But it is nice when you are linked to other clubs. It is down to what we have done this season –not just me but as a group of staff and players.”

Millwall began looking for a new manager after dismissing Willie Donachie, the former Everton coach, last week. They have won only two out of 11 games this season.

Other names linked to the New Den post include Micky Adams, Kenny Jacket, Martin Allen, Peter Taylor, Peter Jackson and the former Everton striker and Tranmere coach Mike Newell. Moore has kept Rovers in the forefront of the League One promotion race with a 10-game unbeaten run stretching back to an opening day defeat to Leeds.

The unbeaten away record they take to Swindon on Saturday represents Tranmere’s best start to a league campaign on the road since the promotion season of 1990/91.

The manager insists Rovers have every reason to be upbeat and optimistic, in spite of the chorus of booing that greeted the final whistle of the goalless draw with Walsall last Friday. It was Tranmere’s third successive draw at Prenton Park.

“We are disappointed with a reaction from the crowd after the Walsall game but we want to stay positive,” Moore said.

“I think it will be only a matter of time before we start winning our home games. If you look at our record overall I think we have made a tremendous start.”

Moore argues Tranmere deserve credit for staying the pace at the top through a period when injuries bit into his selection options.

He said: “We’ve lost Steve Davies for six months and John Mullin has not played all season. Danny Coyne missed the last five games and Chris Greenacre the last two. They are four first-team players.

“Yet look at the way we are playing and where we are in the table. We have a great squad of players here with great spirit and great togetherness.”

Greenacre overcame the worst of his discomfort from a blistered and swollen foot to resume training yesterday.

Moore hopes his leading marksman will be in contention for a return to action in the League One fixture at Swindon on Saturday.

Moore said: “We gave Chris a little test out before the Walsall game. He could not get is boot on at first because of the swelling. When he did and started whacking balls it was too sore for him to continue.

“It looks a lot better now and he might be involved on Saturday.”

Goalkeeper Coyne is due to return from international duty with Wales at the end of the week. Now recovered from a calf injury, Coyne played in Wales 2008 qualifying defeat in Cyprus on Saturday and is expected to pull on the gloves for the game in San Marino tomorrow .

Rovers continue to nurse winger Chris Shuker through a thigh injury. Moore said: “Shukes needs a rest but that is difficult when games are coming regularly. He will get three or four days’ rest this week but we have to be careful that players don’t lose their sharpness.”