Tranmere’s performance against Southampton on Saturday was definately the performance of the season for me, not because of the result against a form team, but for Les Parry decision making, individual performances, the returning Bas Savage and general atmosphere inside Prenton Park.
After putting 5 past Walsall and more impressively Huddersfield, the Saints must have been brimming with confidence going into this match, and with Tranmere’s mediocre home form I feared the worst. But as Tranmere have a tendancy to do, we got a result against the odds. Les Parry’s men went out with the intention of putting their bodies on the line to win every ball. Although Southampton looked good, and Ricky Lambert provided an aerial threat, they quickly ran out of ideas and looked jaded after being hassled by Tranmere. The referee didn’t help matters, but we certainly deserved the victory.
I was also pleased to see LP making substitutions when they were required, unlike previously were he has left the starting 11 out for the entire 90 minutes. Bringing Bas Savage and Alan Mahon on at just the right time lifted the crowd and added a bit of much needed quality and creativity. Hopefully this will give him the confidence to make more of these decisions. Both players looked sharp considering their absense from the first team and I hope they both start against Leeds Utd tomorrow night.
Now 4 points off the drop zone, I think we deserve to avoid relegation and truly believe we will, as we obviously have the capacity to get results such as the Southampton one, whereas the teams below simply don’t. Bring on Leeds and let’s dent their chances of promotion!
