Cup and new faces can lift Tranmere

Nov 27 2007 by Nick Hilton, Liverpool Daily Post

RONNIE MOORE is confident Tranmere’s season can be given a fresh impetus by young, new arrivals, the impending return of a seasoned campaigner and the welcome diversion of the FA Cup this week.

The Rovers manager was in positive mood as he sought to put aside the disappointments of a run of poor League One results through November, culminating in a 1-0 home defeat to Swansea City last Saturday.

Moore believes supporters will soon see the exciting potential of on-loan winger Jennison Myrie-Williams once the 19-year-old shrugs off the sickness and nerves that inhibited his debut against Swansea.

He reckons the imminent return to action of midfielder John Mullin, missing since the start of the season with an ankle injury, will be “like having a new player in the squad.”

And he relishes the break from the league campaign takes Tranmere to Bradford City on Saturday looking for a ticket to the third round of the FA Cup.

“Is not all doom and gloom here,” Moore said. “We’ve had a disappointing November in terms of league results but we can put it right in the month up to Christmas.”

Myrie-Williams became Tranmere’s second signing in a week when he joined on loan from Bristol City last Thursday.

Like Blackburn’s 21-year-old left-back Andy Taylor, Myrie-Williams made his debut after suffering from the effects of the virus the night before the game.

Moore said: “Jennison is a raw talent and there is a lot to work with there.

“It was hard to judge him in the Swansea game. He has electric pace which we did not see on Saturday. In training he was running past defenders in the old-fashioned way whereas in the game he tended to keep possession and roll the ball back to the full-back.

“But he will have the full backing from the coaching staff here to be positive in the right areas. He has the quality to run at defenders and can frighten the life out of people. He just needs the confidence to go and play his natural game.”

Mullin is due to play the first game of his comeback from ankle surgery for the reserves at Preston tomorrow.

The 32-year-old’s ankle ligaments were rebuilt after he suffered a serious injury in a rough, tough pre-season friendly at Altrincham in July.

Moore said: “Mulls is injury free now and has been flying in training. He carried a couple of injuries through last season and I think they hindered his form.

“He is attack minded, which is what we need and it will be like having a new player here.

“The cup game is probably too soon because he will need a couple of reserve games first.”

Both Myrie-Williams and Taylor have been cleared by their clubs to play for Tranmere in the FA Cup.

Rovers will be taking travelling support well in excess of 1,000 to the second round tie at Valley Parade, most of them travelling free of charge in a fleet of coaches hired by the club.

Moore said: “This week we will ease down on the pressure of playing for points. I always look forward to the FA Cup. It is a magnificent competition and the prize can be so big if we can make it to the third round draw.

“An away tie at a big Premier League club can transform the financial picture for a club like Tranmere. Going into January we might be on to do something to improve the side.

“At the same time I’ve always liked the idea of progressing as far as I can in the competition. I’ve not had the best of luck in the FA Cup. The last big game I can remember was taking Roth-erham to and away tie at Liverpool, where we lost 3-0 after holding them to 0-0 at half-time. So maybe I am due some exciting times here.”

Supporters wanting to take advantage of Tranmere’s free travel offer for the Bradford game should contact the club ticket office by phone or by calling in person to obtain tickets.