Paul Rachubka is happy to stay and help Tranmere Rovers climb the League One table

Jan 5 2012 by Nick Hilton, Liverpool Daily Post

PAUL RACHUBKA welcomes the extension of his loan from Leeds United as “ideal” Šand aims to spend the next month helping Tranmere climb the League One table.

The experienced American born goalkeeper has the potential to add a further five games to the five Rovers appearances already under his belt before he returns to Elland Road at the end of January.

Rachubka said: “I’m enjoying it here. I wanted to go ahead and get the loan sorted for another month.

“I like this club. I think Tranmere is a club going forward and well-run. It is ideal for me to be playing games.

“Everyone here is friendly and welcoming. Nothing is a problem. People find ways to help you.”

Rachubka’s career included spells with Manchester United, Charlton Athletic, Huddersfield Town and ŠBlackpool, where he played close to 150 games and worked with current Leeds manager Simon Grayson.

The 30-year-old from California has made only seven appearances for Leeds since signing in the summer and could have anticipated a return to reserve team football if he had gone back to Elland Road this week.

Rachubka says he is happy with his form at Prenton Park and looking to post his second win in a Tranmere shirt against Brentford on Saturday.

“My form has been good,” Rachubka said. “I think it can be improved on and that is something I constantly strive to do.

“I’m enjoying the training sessions. They have been very muddy but that is only the training ground. I’ve been very impressed with the pitch at ŠPrenton Park. I’ve played a few times here and it’s not been in such good condition as it is now.”

He is convinced Rovers are good enough to push into the top half of the table over the coming weeks and months.

Rachubka said: “There’s no doubt in my mind that as a team we have not been getting the results we deserve. That happens in football.

“I’m sure we can climb the table. This is a very tight division. Go on a decent run and you’re suddenly in the play-off places. It can change very quickly. I’ve seen it happen at my previous clubs and there’s no reason why it can’t happen here. There’s a lot of experience in this team and the lads will know what to do.

“I think when we get in front we can be a very difficult team to break down. That is the difference. Goals change games and they have changed them Šin the wrong aspect in some of the games while I’ve been here.”

Les Parry’s team may have found points hard to come by since regular goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams sustained a broken hand in training at the end of November. But that’s no reflection on Rachubka’s consistent performances.

He enjoyed his first victory and clean sheet when Tranmere defeated Bury last Friday and earned man of the match accolades for making a succession of fine saves in the 2-1 reverse at Sheffield Wednesday at the start of this week.

Now we wants to help Tranmere move into the top half of the division in a busy start to 2012 before he heads back over the Pennines.

Meanwhile Tranmere’s reserve game at Burnley, scheduled for next Tuesday, January 10, has been moved to Wednesday, March 21 due to the Clarets’ involvement in the FA Youth Cup. Rovers’ next Central League fixture is against Morecambe at Prenton Park on Wednesday, January 18 (kick-off 7pm).