Tranmere head into tomorrow’s game against Oldham Athletic desperate for points at foot of League Two, and will do so with an interim management team in place.
Following Andy Crosby’s dismissal this week, assistant Andy Parkinson has been placed in temporary charge for tomorrow’s game, assisted by currently injured Rovers legend Connor Jennings and (also injured) goalkeeper player-coach Joe Murphy.
On a day when both Prenton Park dugouts will be full of people who know what Tranmere means and what it takes to be successful, the trio will have their work cut-out to grab a win which could go a long way to pushing Rovers toward safety.
How does Parkinson change things up?
A hot topic of discussion between Tranmere fans since Crosby’s dismissal on Wednesday is what exactly can and will Parky change for tomorrow’s game? His hands remain tied to a point due to the incredible list of injuries.
Injured list: McGee, O’Connor, Turnbull, Bristow, Tamen, Jones, Joseph, Dennis, Whitaker, Murphy, Jennings, Wiliams.
Not to mention so-called captain Sam Finley being suspended, yet again.
So, what can he change within those available?
Formation?
Formation is probably the starting point. Crosby was insistent on playing a 5-3-2 / 3-5-2 type system, something Nigel Adkins first introduced. After getting some luck with it, that luck has long since dried-up and Rovers look slow, negative and laborious with the ball, isolated, easy to break against and frankly indisciplined when out of possession.
Attacking prospects
A switch to a 4-4-2 would be warmly received. Joe Ironside, it’s fair to say, hasn’t set the world alight at Prenton Park since his move from Doncaster in August, but then he spends most games utterly isolated, flicking on long balls to nobody. A switch to a system which allows some proper service from out wide and someone playing alongside him may bring some luck.
Quite who would play with Ironside is anyone’s guess. Even if Kristian Dennis is fit, the pair don’t have any pace between them to stretch teams. One thing Rovers did abysmally in the meeting between to two sides in December is continued to play long balls down the throat of Manny Monthe and Donervon Daniels. Tomorrow, we need to find a way to move the Oldham centre backs around, stretch them, get in behind, make them uncomfortable.
Dickov has pace, but does he have the ability to trouble teams at this level? That’s a big unknown.
Time for defenders to defend
Of course, change at the back is required as well. The defenders have been abysmal this season, lacking any sort of discipline or leadership. Was it a zonal marking thing, as has been suggested?
That’s possible, given the number of free headers and uncontested tap-ins teams have scored against us in recent months. A switch to a disciplined man marking approach is surely the next step?
Bring back Billy Blacker?
Before our form really dropped off a cliff in the New Year, you’d probably say there were 3 Tranmere players who were having a good season. Jayden Joseph, Charlie Whitaker and Billy Blacker.
Joseph is now out injured. Whitaker also sidelined for the next couple of weeks.
Due to the horrendously managed goalkeeper situation, on-loan midfielder Billy Blacker has found himself out of the squad due to the amount of loan players Rovers have in their matchday squad, two of which are goalkeepers.
It feels like we’re at a point when Blacker has to be brought back. Who is that at the expense of? Who knows, Dickov potentially? With Sam Finley once again now suspended, the extra midfielder is needed, not to mention his athleticism and composure in possession.
Summary
Oldham come to Prenton Park in decent form tomorrow, and under a manager who – as we well know – will have them organised and fired up. Unbeaten in five, the Latics haven’t even conceded a goal in their last four games.
Whatever Parkinson, Jenno and Joe rustle up tomorrow by way of tactical approach, at the very least hopefully they can restore some fight to a team that has looked beleaguered and lacking any confidence.
Here’s hoping Rovers can grab a much-needed three points.
