Tranmere head to Fleetwood Town today (Saturday 14th) desperate to stop the rot which has seen the team’s form fall off a cliff since the turn of the year. They’ll do so under the management of Pete Wild, appointed this week until the end of the season.
The appointment of Wild was something that simply had to happen. Maybe not Wild specifically, but an experienced manager from outside the club to come in and try and steer the club away from the relegation trap door which is starting to appear closer beneath us.
The appointment was probably not one that owner Mark Palios would have wanted to make. Still going through a supposed-takeover, it’s probably an expense he could do without.
Palios’ managerial appointments through the years have, for the most part, been unambitious, short-sighted and all round dour for a number of years.
Promoting from within is the usual plan of action, if indeed there was a plan. Mike Jackson, Ian Dawes, Andy Crosby all examples of this. All largely unsuccessful. When he appoints from outside of the club, save for Micky Mellon, it’s generally a disaster as well; see Nigel Adkins, Micky Adams and Keith Hill.
So, for Palios to go and bring in somebody totally new to the club who has a good recent record at this level is actually refreshing, let alone actually allowing him to bring a coach in with him also (assistant manager Adam Temple). But it was not really a choice; if he wants to continue trying to sell Tranmere as an EFL club and not guide us into non-league for a second time, then a change simply had to be made.
In Pete Wild, Rovers have a manager who may not be known for a brilliant style of play, but is known to have hard-working teams who are hard to break down and effective. If there is one thing Tranmere desperately need to become, it’s hard to beat.
Fleetwood return is a tough start
Wild’s last job was of course at Fleetwood, where he was sacked in January. It’s a tough first game for the new Rovers boss, the Cod Army unbeaten in seven games, though only two of those were wins.
It will be fascinating to see how Wild lines Tranmere up. We’ve been pretty awful in just about every area of the pitch for months, but options are fairly limited due to injuries.
Top scorer Charlie Whitaker (pictured above) is available again after injury which is a big bonus. You’d think Wild would have to find a way to put him back into the team given his goalscoring threat and creativity.
There’s still a problem in goal with Luke McGee likely out for the season and Joe Murphy ruled out due to concussion. Rovers are looking to bring in a goalkeeper on an emergency loan in time for the game, but if they succeed then the announcement looks like coming late. You’d think Marko Marosi is the obvious choice, but maybe Wild has someone else lined up.
With a home game with Harrogate coming up on Tuesday night, you cannot help but feel that the next four days could be pivotal in Tranmere’s season. Here’s hoping they can return from Fleetwood with at least a point.
