Rovers can relax as Forest will feel heat

Nov 2 2007 by Chris Beesley, Liverpool Daily Post

TRANMERE manager Ronnie Moore believes his side can turn the big game atmosphere at the City Ground on Saturday to their advantage.

Rovers, currently occupying sixth spot in the League One table, tackle a Nottingham Forest side who are two places above them but also on 20 points.

Like Tranmere, Colin Calderwood’s side have actually accumulated more points on their travels this season and Moore reckons traditional ‘home advantage’ is gradually being eroded.

He said: “I think if you ask a lot of players now they’re actually better playing away from home.

“Years ago you always wanted to play at home, as a striker you felt you had a better chance of scoring.

“The way support has gone and the pressure for the likes of Forest who get 20,000 and Leeds who get 30,000, is enormous and I think they’re a little more relaxed when they go away from home.

“They can play that little bit more and I think that’s why you’re finding a lot of sides are picking up some decent results away.”

Forest’s players were booed off by a section of their own supporters after their goalless draw at home to Oldham on Tuesday, something that happened to Tranmere following a stalemate against Walsall at Prenton Park last month – despite the draw extending their unbeaten record to 10 games at the time.

Although Moore acknowledges supporters’ rights to voice their opinions, he believes that getting behind your team is always more helpful.

He said: “It will be a big tester for us, we know that but Forest are just under a bit of pressure at home at the moment.

“There were 16,000 there on Tuesday and they only got a draw at home to Oldham.

“That’s how fans react now and the team are expected to win every game they play at home.

“We know it’s going to be a tough game but I’d like to think we’re going to go there, play our type of football and not be influenced by them because we’re not afraid to go anywhere and play.”

Moore added: “It’s the expectation – everybody wants to win at home at all costs and it can’t always happen.

“Teams come in and make it difficult with different formations.

“They’ll come and play 4-5-1 and it is difficult to break them down.

“But that’s supporters for you. They’ll say they pay their money and they’re entitled to say what they want to say which is fine but I always feel you’re better trying to get behind the lads rather than giving them hammer.”

Tranmere’s own home frustrations following three successive draws at Prenton Park ended a week ago when they comprehensively defeated Huddersfield Town 3-0 but Moore was not surprised by the result.

He said: “We knew it was just a matter of time. People look back and say ‘three points lost’ but we’d been behind in two of those three games and had we lost them we wouldn’t have been where we are now.

“Those little points keep you in there and moving in the league.

“Friday was the best we’ve been on set-plays and sides are so tightly-matched in this division that a lot of times it will be a set-play that can win you the game – that’s why we practice them three days a week and you can get your rewards from that.”

Rovers knew going into their last game that victory would take them to the top of the league and whereas they often failed to seize similar opportunities last season, Moore is pleased by the mental strength his team have now acquired through squad unity.

He said: “Last year we brought nine players in and had a tremendous start before a dip at Christmas.

“They’ve now had a year together and we’ve got the four or five that we’ve brought in this summer who aren’t quiet people.

“Ben Chorley is a typical cockney, he’s come in and we can’t shut him up – it’s rabbit, rabbit, rabbit.

“We’ve got a nice blend, the dressing room is good and there are no bad apples in there.

“I don’t think there’s anybody who is above themselves and could cause us any problems and if we did have one of them then I think we’ve got enough sensible and senior pros to clip them around the earhole.”