TRANMERE have the time and resources to turn their fortunes around and take talk of relegation off the agenda, according to Chris Shuker.

Nov 11 2009 by Nick Hilton, Liverpool Echo

The diminutive winger insists it is way too early to sound the alarm bells at Prenton Park. But Shuker acknowledges the team needs to start turning the stronger performances under caretaker manager Les Parry into results.

Rovers will have completed the first third of the League One campaign by the time they play Norwich City at Carrow Road on Saturday.

With just 10 points to show from their first 15 games, they are five points away from a place of safety.

Shuker said: "There are so many points to play for – 93 at this stage – so there is no need to panic. We would be worried if there were three games left but there is plenty of time to get out of trouble.

"The players here are quality. There is quality right through the team. It just needs a bit of confidence and the lads can start putting some points on the board.

"We've been doing well in most of the games over the last few weeks. We should have won the FA Cup game against Leyton Orient last Saturday but instead we have a replay next week. That's been the story for us lately."

Shuker was initially left out of the side when long serving physio Les Parry took control of team affairs after John Barnes was sacked on October 9.

But Shuker's 30-minute cameo against Swindon Town 11 days ago provided one of the bright sparks in an otherwise disappointing 4-1 home defeat.

Parry picked the winger in a free, attacking role for the FA Cup tie against Orient last Saturday and was rewarded.

Shuker, showing he has the knack of finding chances, scored Tranmere's 51st minute equaliser and was close with a couple of earlier efforts.

"I had a couple of chances in the first half against Orient and perhaps should have taken one of them," Shuker said.

"I enjoyed that free role and it suits me. Wherever there is space I like to be in it.

"I've played the role before, for Manchester City and for Ronnie Moore's team here last season.

“It works well if you play the right kind of balls. There is no point in me being in the 'hole' if we are just going to keep lumping the ball over the top. There's got to be a bit of understanding."

Ian Thomas-Moore wants to see the uncertainty over the manager's position at Tranmere resolved quickly, for the sake of the team.

The experienced match skipper says the drawn out search for a long-term successor to John Barnes has become unsettling.

"I think the situation is affecting us," Thomas-Moore said. "It is a little bit unsettling. It needs addressing and it needs doing sooner rather than later."

The player has no complaints with the caretaker regime headed by Parry. He said: "Whether Les gets the job full-time or someone else comes in, it needs sorting."

The names of dozens of potential candidates have been linked to the post, but the strongest and most recent rumours concern Rochdale manager Keith Hill.

There has been no announcement from the boardroom other than a message from chairman Peter Johnson saying: "It is vitally important we make the right decision so we have not rushed into to anything."