League One survival is the target for Tranmere Rovers between now and the end of the season, and the month of March will have a big say in whether Micky Mellon’s men can achieve that goal.
Rovers currently occupy the final relegation position in League One, sitting seven points adrift of the pack although with a game or two in hand on the teams above them.
Remaining in the division will be a tough task, for sure, but March is a pivotal period with some vital fixtures coming up in the next few weeks.
Each of Tranmere’s six league fixtures this month are against sides currently in the bottom half of the table, including Rochdale and AFC Wimbledon who are directly above Rovers in the standings and are arguably the most realistic targets to drag back into the drop zone.
These games could give us the platform to build on the positive momentum gained from a vital victory against Shrewsbury Town last time out.
Of course, these games won’t be easy. Like Rovers, the teams just above us will be fighting just as hard to remain in the division too, but they appear to offer a more realistic opportunity for Micky Mellon’s side to pick up some much needed points.
A little run of positive results in March would be huge in propelling us closer to, if not above the sides above us in the table, and give the side that vital asset which you cannot underestimate, confidence.
That would be very important, especially looking at the opposition in the final few weeks of the campaign, virtually all of whom are challenging for promotion or play-off positions.
Micky Mellon is finally getting something which resembles a fully fit squad for the first time this season, and that too could be vitally important in the coming weeks.
Mark Ellis made a successful return after a long-term knee injury in the 3-2 win at Shrewsbury, adding his experience and know how to the squad and even popping up with a goal.
Ollie Banks is edging closer to a first team return after run outs in the Cheshire Senior Cup and his creativity could be key in helping Rovers make more goalscoring opportunities.
And the fringe players, who haven’t been regulars in the first team in recent weeks, have been keeping up their match sharpness as well with those games in the Senior Cup.
So, there are options at the manager’s disposal, which must only be a plus.
The month’s fixtures kicks off at Accrington Stanley on Saturday.
A short trip, and the Super White Army know the importance of this game and will be at the Wham Stadium (great name by the way) in big numbers.
Three points would be a big boost and set us up nicely for the rest of the huge month ahead.
