Edds heads up goals revival

Jul 23 2008 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

TRANMERE boss Ronnie Moore is taking heart from the goals plundered during his side’s pre-season games by new signing Gareth Edds.

Moore recruited Edds from MK Dons this summer to add punch and firepower to Rovers midfield and saw the 27-year-old hit the net four times during two outings last week.

Edds followed up his hat-trick in the 6-2 defeat of West Cheshire amateurs Heswall with a first half goal in Tranmere’s 4-0 win over UniBond League League side Marine on Saturday.

Moore said: “We are going to need goals from all over the pitch in the new season to ease the pressure on the strikers.

“It was a massive problem for us last season and it’s good to see Edds getting into the box and getting goals. His timing is good and he has a knack of being in the right place at the right time. I think he is always going to be a threat in a three-man midfield. I just want him to have a few more goals up his sleeve when we start playing for points.”

Moore was encouraged to see signs in the Marine game that his players are settling into the new 4-3-3 system he wants to make the mainstay of the League One campaign.

He added: “We have taken a while to adapt to what we are looking for and there’s still a lot of work to be done on it. But we are seeing a bit of movement in there and we are getting hold of the ball and passing it when we need to.

“We are also getting fitter. We have sharpened one of two things up and we do expect to be moving at a better pace now.”

With minor knocks keeping experienced players such as Ian Goodison, Antony Kay and Chris Shukeron the sidelines on Saturday, Moore gave some of his young players a start at College Road – including new recruit Luke Waterfall. The 17-year-old centre back, who signed a one-year contract last week, played the full 90 minutes alongside the experienced Ben Chorley.

Moore said: “I think Luke is going to have a good chance in the game and I’m pleased we managed to pinch him. There were a lot of pluses for the young players from this game.”

Moore hopes Goodison, Kay and Shuker will be fit for some action in Tranmere’s warm-up game with Southport at Haig Avenue tomorrow.

Summer signing Edrissa Sonko should be back in action against the Sandgrounders. Moore gave the Gambian international a week’s rest to recover from a heavy schedule of World Cup qualifying commitments.