Youngster’s displays will show Rovers way forward

Nov 20 2009 by Nick Hilton, Liverpool Daily Post

CARETAKER manager Les Parry looks for Tranmere to take their cue from the confident approach of teenager Ash Taylor as they prepare to take on Leyton Orient for the third time in 15 days tomorrow.

The League One encounter at Brisbane Road follows hard on the heels of one FA Cup first-round replay at the same venue – won for Rovers by Taylor’s 80th minute strike.

It was the 19-year-old’s first senior goal for the club since he turned professional towards the end of last season. Just a few days earlier, Taylor won widespread praise for his strong performance at the heart of the defence in a 2-0 defeat at Norwich.

Parry said: “When you step up to the big stage it is no good shrinking and Ash does not do that. He is a confident lad.

“With young players that is important. You see him talking to the senior pros and having a little go at them. I think that helps him.

“He is a good footballer. He is good on the ball for such a tall, skinny, gangly, ugly young fellow! He has shown that whatever position he plays in, he can do the job for us.”

Taylor played most of his dozen senior games this season at centre-back but on Tuesday he was deployed to good effect in a central midfield role.

The youngster helped to provide an extra layer of protection to the back four on a night when Orient were permitted precious few scoring opportunities.

Parry expects the Londoners to make changes tomorrow. They have loan players Luke Somerfield, a midfielder, and Andros Townsend, a wide midfielder, available for selection after the pair were declined permission to appear in the cup tie.

Neither manager was satisfied with his team’s performance on Tuesday, an untidy game played in front of just 1,500 supporters.

“There is no good trying to hide the fact it was a poor game,” Parry said. “Both teams gave the ball away a lot and there were a lot of unforced errors.

“But although we played poorly, we defended well and we ratted well. It was going forward that we did not produce.”

The first clean sheet Rovers have kept since Parry took charge of team affairs on October 9 meant Taylor’s goal was enough to produce a second win in seven outings for the temporary regime. “The result has given everyone around the place a lift,” Parry said.

Parry has a number of options open as he works from a strong selection hand. He must decide whether to deploy Taylor at centre-back or in the midfield role.

John Welsh, a consistent performer over recent weeks, is available for recall in midfield after missing the Cup replay through suspension. However, Alan Mahon faces several weeks on the sidelines with an ankle injury.

Orient skipper Stephen Purches believes his side will give a better account of themselves tomorrow

“Tuesday hurt like every defeat does, but we have got to stick together and think that Saturday will be a better result,” Purches said.

“We have got to do the right thing, find that cutting edge in the final third, and produce. It’s as simple as that.”

There is a lot at stake. An Orient victory would give them a nine-point buffer over Tranmere, who stand second from bottom of the table.

Another Rovers win cuts the gap to three points.

“We’re well aware of the situation we’re in and it’s not something you want to be talking about this early in the season,” Purches admitted.