Tranmere the victims of tired legs and minds

Apr 27 2009 by Nick Hilton, Liverpool Echo

TRANMERE manager Ronnie Moore plans to give his battle fatigued players some respite ahead of next weekend’s play-off showdown with Scunthorpe United.

The League One rivals face a winner-takes-all contest for sixth spot at Glanford Park.

But Moore admits Rovers were showing the strain of hauling themselves into the promotion frame as they struggled to snatch a 1-1 draw with Yeovil at Prenton Park on Saturday.

Moore said: “There were a lot of tired legs out there and I asked them if it was a case of tired minds as well. I think it was a little bit of both.

“I think things caught up with them a little bit. We clawed all those points back on Scunthorpe to give ourselves a fighting chance. I have nothing but praise for them. They have been brilliant.

“ So we will rest them a little bit this week.”

Moore admitted he felt “nothing but relief” after Antony Kay’s 78th minute equaliser secured a point.

Should Scunthorpe win or draw their game in hand at home to relegated Cheltenham tomorrow, Tranmere will require a victory at Glanford Park to claim sixth place.

If Scunthorpe lose to Cheltenham, then a draw will be enough to take Rovers into the play-offs alongside Millwall, MK Dons and Leeds United.

Tranmere had the chance to put themselves in a stronger position with a victory over Yeovil but were grateful to escape with a point as the Glovers enjoyed the lion’s share of the game’s goalscoring opportunities.

They also secured the result that guarantees their place in League One next season.

Moore was left to speculate that the tension of the situation got the better of his players.

He said: “I felt nothing but relief to take a point because we never got going. I can’t put my finger on exactly why but it may have been nerves.

“We are at a stage now where one mistake can cost you so much.

“So we were not positive enough in the attacking third of the field. We had one shot in the first half. That’s not like us.”