In brief, Tranmere have two major issues that sets them back, firstly having no reserve team of any description allows the squad to go stale and this ingrained culture of needlessly swapping of staff.
The first issue is huge, Merrie spent two years not playing, now McAlear looks like repeating that experiment whilst the like of Nolan looks rusty but they won't get up to speed in training alone. This issue is exasperated by the fact Micky has next to no options on the bench, so while others can give 15 a decent run out, Tranmere rarely get more than 12 a run.
Fans rightly saw a decent backbone entering last summer, but Clarke, Foley and MacDonald disappeared. Some maybe unavoidable due to agent's input but there is a distinct culture. Palios is quite happy that there are lots of players out there, ignoring the fact many players takes months to bed in. Tranmere start every season looking like relegation fodder, appear viable in september and become promotion possibles in January. I wonder how starting in August might work out?
Currently it appears probably the club's MVP Hemmings is now the boo boy target. He does most things to a high professional level and is a quality finisher, people ignore his complete lack of supply and believe he should finish balls that are behind him, Pele couldn't so not sure why Hemmings should.
The bench is a dire situation and mainly is under Mellon as he knows it offers little, last season the excellent Foley did what was necessary. This year you have the incredible fact Hemmings has had to play every single minute. Most clubs replace their prime striker every week. The wings have no great pace so you would expect an introduction of that but pace there is none on the bench. The midfield duo also should get an injection of workrate from the bench, again Mellon sees his worn out choices better than the fresh stand bys- tells a story.
Hemmings has maintained his high standards throughout, young Nevitt though is struggling with over use- his musical chairs with Lewis is as predictable as it is unthreatening. Yesterday Mumbongo brought a complete new option and hopefully he and Hemmings will find new possibilities. His physicality and speed look new assets.
Tranmere scouting reports finish after watch their right flank, it is the sole danger. Morris gets so much attention, there must be holes elsewhere but nothing comes of it. Bristow is as weak positionally at full back as anyone ever, his strength are on top of his size is sheer pace- yet when confronted with one defender in the opposing half he passes back. He and Hawkes create next to nothing why can he not just push it and run, few can live with him and once tried, the opposition will check back their formation. Speed frightens.
Yesterday saw the non-league half back play like one and spoon up possession on the edge. Micky saw Bristow gets the wrong side, funny I have seen that more than twenty times this season- he also got nowhere near to putting any pressure on. MacDonald and Ridehalgh would have been on top of the scorer. Hawkes failed in the basics and a golden opportunity didn't happen.
On the upside as there isn't another full back, let Bristow bomb on. Play Hughes for Hawkes, he may have more intracacy than just stepping inside and blasting away? The biggest uptick in the last two weeks has been the complete change in Doohan's presence- assured and dominant. Unbelievable!! Maybe although Cogley and Clarke were right the rollockings had the opposite effect. Again Simeu had big problems with his indecision and both barrels were used. Possibly Davies works with him rather than confronts him?
If Simeu stays I expect he will do a decent job at full back, Tranmere will miss Cogley but cope. What Scotland's third side see in him I am not sure, he isn't that good. A central pairing of Davies and Turnbull will be fine.
Trouble is it is your weak spots that tell over time not your strengths.
