Ronnie Moore delighted with team’s domination

Feb 18 2008 by Nick Hilton, Liverpool Daily Post

MANAGER Ronnie Moore reckoned Tranmere were on top from start to finish in the 2-0 win over Millwall at Prenton Park.

“It was total domination,” Moore said. “We were not really under any pressure. We opened up nice and brightly. It was good to get the early goal and better to get another one just before half-time.

“I was very pleased with the performance and the attitude of the players was brilliant. There were times when we played some very good passing football.”

The goals by Shane Sherriff on 10 minutes and Ian Moore on 45 secured Tranmere’s fifth win in an unbeaten run of seven games.

They advanced to fifth place in the League One table on the day when rivals Doncaster, Leeds and Carlisle were forced to sit on their hands because of postponements.

Moore said he was encouraged by Rovers’ creative play following draws against Leyton Orient and Brighton in which chances were hard to come by.

“The quality of the ball going into the opposition penalty area was better,” Moore said.

“The strikers have not been used to getting chances.

“We had opportunities to add more goals in the second-half and on another day Chris Greenacre might have had a hat-trick.”

Moore said he was pleased with the work of a new striking combination which saw his son Ian Moore partner Greenacre, back at the end eight-game absence to replace groin injury victim Calvin Zola.

Moore said: “I thought the strikers were excellent. They worked their socks off. Go and asked the Millwall defenders how they felt because they were run ragged. Ian’s goal was a quality finish. That’s what he can bring to the side.

“It was great for me. Calvin picked up a little groin strain and had to come out of the side. If players come in and do well, they keep their places.”

The victory also featured Tranmere’s fifth clean sheet in the seven-game run with skipper Ian Goodison and Antony Kay dominating at the heart of the defence.

Moore said: “The back four were good as the unit. You have to be solid down the middle and Ian Goodison and Antony Kay have a bit of an understanding now.

“Goodison is the bad cop, Kay the good cop, the one who wants to be like Bobby Moore, picking the ball up and passing it around from the back.

“We only have a problem when Ian Goodison thinks he can do that too!”

Tranmere have a clear week to prepare for a tough visit to Bristol Rovers next Saturday.

The Pirates roughed up Rovers in a 2-0 win at Prenton Park in January and knocked Championship club Southampton out of the FA Cup at the Memorial Stadium on Saturday. A week later Tranmere play host to second placed Doncaster.