Let’s win consecutive games before we can dream of FA Cup glory says Tranmere Rovers caretaker manager Les Parry

Nov 28 2009 by Nick Hilton, Liverpool Echo

TRANMERE set out this afternoon on a mission that has proved impossible for Les Parry’s caretaker regime so far – putting together back-to-back victories.

A success against Aldershot Town at Prenton Park carries the additional incentive of taking Rovers into the potentially lucrative third round of the FA Cup.

But the prize Parry values most this weekend is to follow Tuesday night’s 2-0 win over Southend with another positive result and performance.

“At the moment I’m concentrating on trying to win the game because we’ve not won consecutive games since we took over,” Parry said.

“The financial incentives of getting through to the next round of the Cup are obviously a nice carrot for the directors and administrative staff at the club. But we just want to win two games in a row!”

Tranmere last won back-to-back games against Grimsby in the Carling Cup and Gillingham in League One back in mid-August – then lost seven on the bounce.

By October 9 manager John Barnes had been sacked and long serving physiotherapist Parry, supported by coaches Shaun Garnett and Wayne Allison, were placed in temporary charge of team affairs.

Rovers have become good deal more competitive and resilient in nine games since then although results have not always matched the improvement in performances.

Parry said: “Tuesday’s performance was fantastic. But we don’t want to get away from the fact that we have put in performances like that and come away with nothing.

“The lads have been performing well throughout our time in charge. It is coming together. There are still things we are working on. We are trying to lift the standards.

“For instance, I did not realise, until I watched the game twice more on DVD, how many free kicks we gave away in dangerous areas on Tuesday night, when there was no real need. So we are working on that.”

Even without Tuesday’s morale-boosting success, Parry reckons the dressing-room would have been buzzing this week in anticipation of an FA Cup tie.

He said: “We all want to be glued to the TV on Sunday afternoon. The draw for the third round of the Cup has more magic to it than the draw for any other round.

“Don’t forget it is the same for Aldershot players. The Cup holds as much magic for them as it does for us.”

The Shots, standing eighth in League Two, can scarcely be regarded as minnows.

“They are effectively eight places behind us on the ladder so there is no reason for anyone to think they’re going to roll over,” Parry said.

“They are unbeaten in their last five games and Dave Philpotts, our chief scout, has been to look at them. He says they are an excellent footballing side.

“He seemed to think they are the best footballing side in the division.

“So we are under no illusions. We will be treating the game exactly the same as if they were Leeds United coming here.

“We have the advantage of being at home so we have to make the most of it.”

Ian Goodison is Tranmere’s most pressing injury doubt.

The Jamaican centre-back battled with back problem through the first hour of the game against Southend and has been under treatment for the rest of the week.

If Goodison can’t play against Aldershot, Parry will have to start with teenager Ash Taylor alongside Marlon Broomes at the heart of the defence.

Full-back Shaleum Logan is under treatment for a groin strain while striker Michael Ricketts is also suffering from a back strain.

Aldershot manager Kevin Dillon has warned his players that they will need to improve on their preparations for today’s match.

Dillon picked up his first win as a manager against Northampton on Tuesday night but was critical of his side’s sloppy start to the game.

He said: “The players were fiddling about, they didn’t go out as a team, some players were late. They went on the pitch and performed that way, too. We didn’t play as a team. We have to do better.”