Ronnie Moore happy table toppers aren’t being targeted for transfers

Jan 10 2013 by Nick Hilton, The Liverpool Post

TRANMERE’S table-topping exploits over the first half of the season have not as yet turned their top performing players into transfer targets - much to the relief of manager Ronnie Moore.

As Moore seeks to add an on-loan striker to his squad this week, he was able to report that the January transfer window is yet to throw up any incoming bids.

Moore said: “I’ve had no interest in our players. I’m a bit surprised we have not had any enquiries and I’m happy about that. I would hate to see anyone go at this stage.

“I’ve not had a phone call or an enquiry and as long as the phone is not ringing about my players I will be happy.”

Not that Tranmere would easily let go any of the players that have put them at the front of the League One promotion race on one of the smallest budgets in the division.

“The last thing I want is to lose any of my players and I don’t think it would happen,” Moore said. “We are in a position where we can’t afford to let anyone go. We need to keep the squad together and add to it.”

Two of Tranmere’s most influential players, midfielder James Wallace and striker Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro, have been out of the side since before Christmas as they attempt to overcome long-term injuries. The pair hope to be back in action by the end of January.

However, Moore admits he can’t come close to affording the experienced front players he sees as ideal loan recruits to strengthen Tranmere’s promotion challenge.

Moore’s priority in the January transfer window is to find a replacement for leading marksman Jake Cassidy, who returned to parent club Wolverhampton Wanderers at the start of the month and may not be coming back.

“The players we want are out there but the senior ones are expensive,” Moore said.

“We are talking about players who earn between £6,000 and £8,000 a week for the experienced ones. We can’t afford to pay the tax on that, never mind the full wage.”