This time last year Tranmere were in a horrific predicament, a clueless managment team and a desperately weak group of players, somehow we survived and remained in the 3rd tier of English football thanks to Les, Shaun and Chief.
Now, 3 games into the season and once again the club is in turmoil, Les Parry’s style of football and management have always been questionable but whereas in the great escape we were incredibly difficult to breakdown, we are now as weak as p*#£. A distinct lack of creativity, pace and vision has lead to 2 home defeats and a credible point away to Huddersfield.
Parry looked to offload deadwood and bring in players that would actually improve the starting 11 during the close season, and it seemed he and his scouting team had done a good job signing younger players such as Wood, Labadie and Cathalina, and also extending the contracts of Ash Taylor and John Welsh. The foundation of the team looked good, the performances have been nothing short of diabolical. Averaging 2 shots on target in each game and only a consolation goal from talisman Ian Thomas Moore our goal difference is a frightening figure already.
Parry’s fondness of the 4-3-3 formation appears to be the root of the problem, playing players in roles they are neither comfortable or effective in, and leaving 2 inexperienced full backs horrifically exposed. The players also seem to be unaware of any kind of zonal positioning, making it easy to defend against, and difficult to form meaningful attacks.
This combined with the transfer request of last seasons top scorer and club captain Ian Thomas Moore, rumoured to being tapped up by father Ronnie has disrupted the harmony at the club, and showed his personal frustration after being substituted on Saturday.
I am equally as concerned now as I was at the same point last season. I genuinely hope Parry can turn it around, but as with last season radical changes are a must, and the sooner the better for the sake of Tranmere Rovers Football Club.
