Dogfight for Tranmere as Rovers defence comes up against Terriers’ prolific attack

Dec 1 2009 by Nick Hilton, Liverpool Daily Post

TRANMERE are ready to put their stiffening defensive resolve to the most demanding of tests at the Galpharm Stadium tonight.

A visit to Huddersfield Town takes Rovers into the firing line of the hottest home attack in League One.

The Terriers, big spenders during the summer, have knocked in 28 goals in nine unbeaten home league games so far this season.. Teenager Jordan Rowlands has 13 strikes under his belt and the Theo Robinson nine.

But the goals and been flying in from all areas of Lee Clark’s side.

Tranmere had the leakiest defence in all four divisions when physio Les Parry and coaches Shaun Garnett and Wayne Allison took caretaker charge of team affairs following the sacking of John Barnes on October 9.

Now almost two months down the line, the rearguard has tightened up so well that Tranmere kept clean sheets in three of the last four games.

Allison said: “We will be put to the test at Huddersfield but we are expecting that and we believe we can rise to the challenge.

“Huddersfield are a good side, scoring an abundance of goals. We are under no illusions about what to expect.

“But we are in form ourselves. After the clean sheets we’ve put together over the past few weeks, everyone is quite confident.

“And let’s not forget we can create chances ourselves.”

Huddersfield, backed by the investment of chairman Ken Davy, set about attracting some of the best available League One players last summer by offering better contract terms the most clubs could match.

Antony Kay, Tranmere’s skipper last season, was among the recruits to the squad that has taken the Terriers to fifth place in the table.

Huddersfield-born Allison, whose travels as a player included spells with both clubs, insists Rovers have no reason to be daunted in front of a big Yorkshire crowd.

He said: “First and foremost we have to compete with Huddersfield. It is a big ground, a good pitch and there will be a decent crowd there.

“But we won’t be fazed by that. We were not fazed by that at Norwich and this should not be any different.”

Allison may have plied his trade as a striker at eight clubs in a career spanning 20 years, but there’s no doubt that his coaching work with Parry and Garnett has been most effective in making Tranmere a tighter, more resilient team than they were under Barnes.

He said: “The players’ attitude, mentality and willingness to defend has made a major difference. They are a unit now with a good understanding among themselves.

“We may still be at the wrong end of the table but the players can see the light at the end of the tunnel and they look like they are enjoying the way they are playing.”

Allison added: “They defend as a unit now and they have stuck together.

“We have to talk about our goalkeeper, Luke Daniels, who was done ever so well, keeping them marshalled.

“We are defending as a team. We have a shape about as when we are in possession and when we lose possession we get back into shape and try to make ourselves hard to beat.”

Tranmere have a major injury concern over wide man Chris Shuker, who suffered an ankle ligament injury during last Saturday’s goalless FA Cup second-round tie against Aldershot at Prenton Park.

Parry will be hoping defensive strongman Ian Goodison can play through the difficulties caused by a back problem.