Moore is delighted with his young guns

Jul 24 2008 by Nick Hilton, Liverpool Daily Post

MANAGER Ronnie Moore signalled his approval last night of the young prospects making an impact on Tranmere’s pre-season programme.

Striker Craig Curran, trialist Charlie Barnett and full-back Danny Holmes, all 19, together with first-year professionals Terry Gornell and Aaron Cresswell, 18, earned words of encouragement as Rovers notched three victories and 14 goals over seven days.

Moore said: “There are a lot of positives coming out of the young kids, that’s for sure.”

Tranmere completed a 4-1 win over Blue Square Conference North part-timers Southport on Tuesday to follow a 6-2 win over West Cheshire amateurs Heswall and a 4-0 success at Marine of the UniBond League last week.

Curran, eager to establish himself in the Rovers starting line-up after spending most of last season on the substitutes’ bench, notched two well-taken goals at Haig Avenue, where he played the full 90 minutes.

“I thought Craig did well,” Moore said. “He is going to get his chance sooner or later. There is going to be a lot of competition for places up front because when we play 4-3-3 you’re looking at wide players like Chris Shuker and Ed Sonko being involved.

“That gives me up to six front players chasing three places, which is great for a manager. There is nothing better than that kind of competition.

“You’ve also got Terry Gornell who is getting stronger now and learning how to lead the line.”

Barnett, a former FA Youth Cup winner with Liverpool, has been training with Tranmere throughout July after being released by the Premier League giants at the end of last season.

The busy, lightly-built midfielder played his third game in a week at Southport and was a industrious figure in Tranmere’s bright performance.

Moore said: “You can see the Liverpool influence in the way Charlie plays. He does not give the ball away much. He sees a pass and can play it.

“We are taking a look at him. If we can do something with him we will. At the moment he is training and ticking over with us.”

Holmes also enjoyed a full 90-minute run out at Haig Avenue, where he spent three months on loan with the Sandgrounders in the middle of last season.

The youngster from Woodchurch in Wirral is currently holding down the right back spot left vacant by the release of Robbie Stockdale at the end of last season.

But Moore hopes to sign a right back during the next few days as he fits together the final components of the squad for the League One campaign beginning on August 9.

Moore said: “Danny is improving with every game. He gets a little hectic at times with his use of the ball and there is room for improvement there. He had some experience on loan at Southport last season and it did him some good. We are looking to fill the right-back spot and something will be done sooner rather than later.

“Young Aaron Cresswell is another who is coming along nicely at left-back. We are looking towards having a good balance between youth and experience.”

Chris Shuker was forced to sit out his third pre-season game in a row on Tuesday. The winger has damaged a muscle behind the knee and Moore says he may be out of action for 10 days.

However, summer signing Ed Sonko should be back in action when Tranmere take on League Two outfit Morecambe at Christie Park on Saturday.

Sonko was given a week’s rest after a heavy schedule of World Cup qualifying commitments with Gambia.

TRANMERE have changed the telephone number for people wanting to contact the club. From today onwards, all callers should ring 0871 221 2001.