It’s been a busy summer down at The Campus, however, it feels like we are far from done as far as transfers are concerned. So, how is the squad shaping up just four days out from a return to competitive action?
A fresh coaching setup
Darrel Clarke’s appointment as manager was probably a welcome one for most Tranmere fans early in the summer. In recent seasons, appointments have been largely evaluated by fans as being ‘cheap’ or ‘easy’.
There hasn’t been an overhaul of coaching staff either, leading to a bizarre scenario for one game last season where Joe Murphy (playing), Connor Jennings on crutches and Andy Parkinson was the first team coaching staff in the dugout.
The appointment of Pete Wild along with an assistant of his own toward the back-end of last season gave hope that the penny had dropped that Rovers needed more coaching expertise and fresh input. While those appointments only narrowly kept Tranmere in the division, their departure opened the door for an overhaul of sorts, one that should have happened years ago.
In came Clarke, who then recruited ex-Premier League player Dean Whitehead as his assistant, someone he has worked with before. Former top-flight goalkeeper Brian Jensen also came in as Goalkeeper Coach, and along with Andy Parkinson, Rovers suddenly had a strong, fresh-looking coaching team. Also, a note that Alan Morgan also remains on the coaching staff.
Rebuild requirements
With those changes in place, then came a significant rebuild job of the playing staff. Including loan players, Tranmere saw a staggering 22 players leave Prenton Park at the end of last season.
Only 13 then remained in contract, two of which were returning from medium-term injuries (Turnbull and O’Connor), one from a 12-month injury layoff (Josh Williams) and two-more still in the midst of serious injuries that would rule them out beyond the start of the new season (McGee and Jennings).
Add to those, Sam Finley, Nohan Kenneh (since departed) Nathan Smith, Patrick Brough, James Plant, Charlie Whitaker, Lewis Warrington and Joe Ironside – the last of those two also ended last season with knocks.
It meant the recruitment requirement was sizeable. No fit goalkeepers, one striker and significant shortages in other areas.
Rovers have certainly taken their time to bring in those replacements, but in the last 48 hours we’ve seen a real acceleration of that recruitment.
The headline one is of course Tom Ince, the calibre of who we would not have expected to arrive this summer unless a takeover had materialised. A full list of who we have signed to date is as follows, along with their last club and playing position.
Joel Senior – Bristol Rovers – right-back
Jacob Slater – Brighton/Harrogate – left-back
Bobby Faulkner – Doncaster – central defender (on loan)
Jack McEvily – Burnley – central defender
Oliver Scott – Aldershot – left-back
Tom Conlon – Oldham – midfielder
Jordan Davies – Fleetwood – midfielder
Charlie Veevers – Burnley – midfielder
Tom Ince – Watford – midfielder/winger/forward
Zane Okoro – Lincoln – winger/forward (on loan)
Sam Mann – TRFC College – striker
Harrison Male – York City – goalkeeper
Courtney Baker-Richardson – Newport – striker
While some of the signings feel like they are ones made with potential or squad depth in mind, the midfield is starting to look somewhat interesting from an attacking perspective. Accommodating Ince, Whitaker, Okoro, Davies and Conlon will be a challenge, but if it can be done, it puts a lot of attacking quality and creativity on the pitch, something we have missed badly in recent years.
Defensively, we may be okay, but it feels like another experienced centre back would be useful.
And then there are the two problem areas. Goalkeeper is all-but addressed after the impressive signing of Male, however, Rovers will need another in before the weekend in order to fill the stipulation of having a goalkeeper among the substitutes.
Who else may arrive?
Rovers definitely need more forward options, and it feels like this is an area that may not fully resolve itself until the end of August. That said, we understand that a deal to bring in Courtney Baker-Richardson is all-but complete following his trial. You’d expect that beyond that we may see a young player come in on loan. (since writing this article, he has now signed)
Another attacking option we expect to see join is young winger Jacob Beaumont-Clark. He was released by Everton at the end of the season and we understand he may complete a move to Rovers in time to face Rochdale on Saturday, but most likely it will be the following week. By all accounts, he seems a highly-rated young player and will certainly add to that collection of attacking options just behind the strikers.
Toward the end of the month, we may also see a striker join on loan. Let’s not forget that we only technically have two experienced forwards currently available, with Connor Jennings out injured for some time yet and young Sam Mann available, but new to professional football.
Outgoings?
Of course, like when any manager arrives at a club, some players currently under contract may not feature in plans as much as others. We understand there will be movement out this month, with the likes of Lewis Warrington, James Plant and Patrick Brough most likely to be available for transfer.
It’s going to be an interesting few weeks yet to come as far as transfers are concerned. In the midst of that, the games begin again, starting with the Rochdale game this weekend.
