But now the critics are silenced and the doubters are doubting their own judgement as the Rovers lie in 8^th position and two points off the play offs.

A bit of a difference to pre-season predictions where Rovers were expected to continue where they left off last season and lounge around the foot of the table. But of course there is always a ‘but’ or a ‘however’ with every Tranmere fan and although a great start, Wirral residents are fully aware this is a start, not a completion.

So how can Tranmere stay amongst the elite in League one. Here are the 10 Commandments everyone Tranmere needs to follow.

1)      Thou shalt visit church for every ceremonial event and come together with other people who share the same religious belief.

At any football club, the support from their following is invaluable and the Rovers are no exception. By turning out in numbers home and away provides the team with a 12^th man and by preaching and shouting their beliefs as loud as possible (these being positive beliefs) gives the added bonus bound to spur the players on and ensure they find the remaining fuel in the tank to make that match winning tackle or score that vital goal.

2)      Thou shalt refuse to expose the 11 disciples and their leader to negative slander

Yes there will be times in the season where you’ll want to strangle Les Parry for that ridiculous substitution or mind-boggling tactical change. Or result in labelling the players in mindless insults for that wayward pass. You pay your money so yes you’re entitled to your opinion but whether it is required is another matter. That substitution you’re abusing one minute could result in providing the 3 points to confirm the SWA into play offs. It sounds clichéd but in this case, patience is a virtue.

3)      Honour your home and serve it with success

The key to Tranmere’s success this season has been down to the games played at Prenton Park. Just one defeat in nine games at home is pretty adequate for a side with the stature of Tranmere and if they are to keep this good form going, the home form is going to be vital if a fight for the play-off is even going to commence for the Rovers.

4)      Thou shalt treat the month of January as an important one

The time of the year that separates the rich from the poor, the big from the small, and the good from the ugly. When managers prepare to rub the hands with glee at new arrivals, or pull their hair out in desperation that all there key players are departing. For a team like Rovers, you’d expect if any, Gaffer Les Parry to be a victim of the latter. From the games that have been played, one could say Parry has a fairly formidable outfit at his disposal so it’s more vital that Parry hangs onto his players rather than be on the lookout for more so resistance to cash in the middle of the campaign is needed if they are to sneak a play-off spot.

5)      Thou shalt fight to the death to earn 3 golden points

Grinding out performances in this game separates the boys from the men. It’s all very well beating a team when you’re on form, but beating that team when you’re playing poorly makes a team a successful one. The win against Walsall a few weeks ago was a perfect example of this, although a less than average performance, goals from Robbie Weir and Mustafa Tiryaki saw the Rovers through on this occasion and more point snatching like this would only help the cause.

6)      Keep your disciples fit and serving your belief

Of course there’s nothing you can do when your Andy Robinson’s, Robbie Weir’s and John Welsh’s of this world are restricted to the side lines, but keeping these types of players fit is vitally needed when you take into account the lack of strength in depth the Rovers have or more appropriately can afford.

7)      Thou shalt stay patient

It’s inevitable at some stage in the season Rovers will go through a bad patch. Although a lot depends on how the players respond to the expected poor form the catalyst in turning things around will be how the fans respond.  It would be easy for the followers under the Prenton Park stand to over react, claim the players are a disgrace and call for Parry’s head. A more logical and helpful reaction would be to avoid getting on the players back. Players are more likely to turn it around knowing they have the fans behind them.

8)      Thou shalt stay consistent

As mentioned in the previous commandment a bad spell will come at some point, but these spells need to be few and far between. Home wins will be key to this consistency as well as picking up a few away. Possibly the biggest commandment the Rovers will have to follow, without the consistency the Super Whites can say good bye to even mid table.

9)       Back thou Leader!

The criticism Parry has been getting from some sections of the terraces is quite frankly unfair, especially if you look at the current position Rovers find themselves. Having said this, there will always be that pessimistic minority at a football club and if it is kept at a minority it shouldn’t be a problem, however if the minority grows and turns into the majority then it turns sour. Back Les Parry to at least the end of the season, and then judge whether you want him for another year or not!

10)   Be blessed with a lot of Luck!

If the Super white Army force their way into the play-offs it’ll be down to grit, determination, and a lot of luck! Rovers are not blessed with money to spend or big name stars but a team ethic that is willing to work for each other and fight for the full 90 minutes will increase the chances and hopefully bring out the good fortune the Rovers deserve!

Enjoyed this article? Follow me on Twitter @JoeCooper2794 to read other articles and keep up to date with this blog

We’ve all been there, maybe less of us with the latter, but for managers buying last minute deals, it seems to be the norm. The logic? Illogical. The explanation? Unexplainable, but despite the questioning and the frowned eyebrows it’s what most managers up and down the country seem to do.

Thankfully for the Rovers clan, Les Parry ensured he did all of his wheeling’s and dealings earlier in the window, to avoid the stress and anxiety which so many supporters were forced to endure on ‘Whacky Wednesday’Although the clever avoidance of staying clear of transfer deadline day, how are Parrys new boys gelling into the team. Are they transfer gems, or transfer goons? Heres a review of the gaffers most notable signings so far.

Dave Buchanan

An impressive start to his Tranmere career with goals in his non-competitive and competitive debuts against Liverpool Reserves and a match winning screamer at Leyton Orient has seen him as a regular in the first team. The 4-5-1 formation that Parry has employed has seen Buchanan able to push up this season and his offensive full back runs could provide a useful weapon in the Rovers armoury, not to mention a welcoming new attacking dimension for the Rovers front line to thrive on.

Martin Devaney

An ever present in the Tranmere side, and there are no signs that won’t continue.  Providing fresh width down the flanks has been key to the SWA’s recent run of good form, providing the front line with numerous chances for them to seize upon. Claims he’s enjoying his time here and the Prenton Park stands have taken a shine to him, so surely it’s a match made in heaven?

Owain Fon Williams

Nice to see stability in the goalkeeping department, something Rovers have lacked since Danny Coynes departure three years ago. A decent start to his Rovers career and his reliability in-between the sticks always makes the back fours life a lot easier knowing they have a keeper they can trust. Williams has endured a fairly comfortable ride so far so the teams expected dip in form later on in the season will be the true test of his character, and the time when a proper judgement can be made.

Mustafa Tiryaki

Even before his agreed contract, the 24 year old knew he was always going to have to fight for a start. Was always playing second fiddle to Showunmi and McGurk, however has showed glimpses of promise when coming off the bench, and has started the past few games. Hard to tell at this early stage whether he’ll come good, but a goal against the Liverpool Reserves would have boosted his chances. Will get his chance when injuries suspensions and dips in form come into play later on in the season, so he will need to be patient.

David Raven

Despite the sending off in the controversial game against Notts County, Ravens second spell at Prenton Park has seen him endure a decent start. Will be looking to make the Right back spot his own after being in and out of the side. The new full back pair of Buchanan and Raven seems to be gelling well for the Rovers. Still too early to tell if he’s goon or gem, but signs are there that he’ll be an accomplished signing.

Enjoyed this article? Follow me on Twitter @JoeCooper2794 to read other articles and keep up to date with this blog

The game will be more remembered however by the blunders and mishaps from Referee Michael Naylor. The man in black (with metaphorically white stripes) awarded County a dubious penalty decision so close to the end the Tranmere faithful would of started to smell a scent of picking up a draw, but for it to grasped upon them and greedily gobbled up by their opposition. A defeat so painful it would have challenged a Gervinho head butt to of similar pain intensity.

Now that I’m done with poking and pointing the middle finger at the man with the whistle, credit must be given to the Tranmere boys, and fans for their fighting spirit, and never say never attitude.

But as we all know (Especially the SWA) getting results solely on an attitude gets you nowhere. Although potentially a catalyst and a good trait to have, a fighting spirit cannot be relied upon independently to find the key in opening the treasure chest of success at Prenton Park.

The First half performance in French terms was ‘C’etait Super!’ for the Rovers clan. The second half performance in more blunt Birkonian terms was ‘A load of old S**t!’

By this reading even the untrained eye could identify that this could (and I highlight could) be down to a group of tiresome individuals suffering physically and mentally from match fitness. In other words the players were bloody knackered!

And notably Parry used the same 11 which brought him success on Saturday. By no means am I regarding this tactic of consistency with the same players playing week in, week out a bad one. But with so early on in the season and in such small space of time between Saturday and Tuesday, surely Parry would have at least of been tempted to tinker with his squad.

Maybe he lacks confidence in the rest of his squad? Although the squad that played against County on Tuesday evening looked a formidable outfit, does Parry lack the strength in depth to replace these players when injured or unavailable?

For Saturdays clash with League One giants Sheffield United, First teamers Adam McGuirk and Dave Raven are set to miss out due to suspension leaving a gap at Right back and Left Midfield to be filled. Thank God Ian Goodison looks set to don the Terry Butcher look as he is likely to feature with a bandage on Saturday following a head injury in last night’s defeat.

Personally I think a couple more signings need to be made in the window, be it temporary or Permanent if Rovers are to last the season competitively. More players for Parry to choose from would lead to more versatility among the Rovers lines and freshness to the starting lineup.

Enjoyed this article? Follow me on Twitter @JoeCooper2794 to read other articles and keep up to date with this blog

Other projects similar to this include Accrington Stanley who last month announced a chance for fans to own shares of the club, and Scottish Premier League side St Mirren who like Tranmere are running a Trust named ‘10000 Hours’ which allows there Scottish following to voice their opinions, on how there club is run.

And although a lucrative and exciting prospect as it sounds for the SWA, the trust is a long way off from achieving there aims.The trust fund held a meeting last night to outline their proposal, but fans, onlookers and observers all echoed similar feedback that although the initial plans look promising, there is still a lot to be done if they are even considered by current chairman Peter Johnson. One time Apprentice candidate, and Rovers fan Christopher Farell who also attended the meeting on Twitter told a fan “I think they have got a long way to go yet, idea is there but they need a business plan”

The Benefits

It’s clear for all super white eyes to see that although a good servant for the club, businessman Johnson has neither the will power or bank balance to take the team to the next level, after leading them from the foot of the football league to where they are today. Fresh faces on the new management board could see cash injection, and the potential for an exciting new beginning at Prenton Park.

The club being owned by the community would presumably have reaps of benefits for the important faces of the football club, the fans. With fans being given the opportunity to have a say in how there club is run could see more community projects within the area, increased local employment, financial sustainability, and most of all, give the community its independence for the team they so dearly love.

A community run project as big as the ownership of Tranmere Rovers, will always make ideas and decisions with the interests of the clubs welfare at heart. Presumably the disastrous ownership of the ‘Cowboy Americans’ from next door was heard from across the Mersey, which consequently would of sent warning signs to all clubs like Tranmere that the bank balance of an investor does not automatically assume they are the next best thing for their team. A club run by its people would ensure there were no lousy businessmen/women who apparently are experts on the timing of the firing of the manager, and know which players to buy and get rid of, yet are clueless when asked how the offside rule operates.

The Risks

For all those who want to see The Rovers succeed, would welcome a community ownership run by its fans. With all the positives of a project taken into account however, the club would also have to address the negatives, and the weaknesses of the bid. For example the Trust would need technical aid, and expert advice if they were to proceed with their ideas as although the passion and money doesn’t seem to be a stumbling block, there knowledge of running a big business like a football club be it a Premier League side, or a Blue Square Premier side, is one that shows inexperience making it potentially a very difficult and stressful project.

There’s no doubt that Football in the modern day game, is a big business. There is an argument that a community run business in a massive market could add limitations for the club. Although the trust plans to raise a minimum of £300 000 in backing the scheme and the takeover would offer financial stability to the club. I sincerely doubt there is a fan out there willing to inject millions into the club whereas some non-Community projects would be able to invest the amount needed nowadays to be in the big time, and although currently this seems a long way off, the trust are looking at short term and long term plans, and a rise to the Premier League would surely be on the agenda of their Long term aims.

But despite these potential weaknesses, if the trust ensures they are organised and form a Business plan worthy of running a football club, there should be no reason why the trust can’t proceed, and succeed where many other trust funds have failed, in sustaining ownership of their club. Tranmere fans and interested observers, watch this space!

Enjoyed this article? Follow me on Twitter @JoeCooper2794 to read other articles and keep up to date with this blog

Before the season began, the Rovers were one of a few teams favourite for the drop. In some aspects perhaps an understandable prediction with Tranmere struggling in recent years regularly looming around the relegation zone, and with such a small squad for manager Les Parry to choose from. However after weighing up all the positives and negatives for the forthcoming season, I believe the Rovers will have a strong positive season and perhaps move a step closer in leaving the third tier of English Football, up to the second tier.

Renewed Optimism

Of course there is always some form of optimism for your desired team before every season no matter what club you support. However the Super White Armies form in pre-season with wins from all of their notable friendlies and the manner in which they did it so comfortably, and with their first win of the new season under their belt at the first attempt, there are encouraging signs for the fans beneath the Prenton Park stands to be excited about.

New signings, new heroes

Although the ratio of ins and outs weighs sufficiently higher against the Rovers numbers with 12 players departing this year and only 5 coming in. The players that have come in however seem to have settled in well most notably Martin Devaney who slotted into the side straight away after completing his move from Barnsley last week, looking impressive skipping past full backs and whipping in crosses from the right causing the Chesterfield line a number of problems. Rumours have also spread over the home coming of Tranmeres very own Jason Koumas, after he became a free agent following his release from Wigan.

The Youth system

One player for the Rovers Youth system to be proud about emerged last season into a gem of a football. Winger Dale Jennings caught the eye of clubs after twisting and turning through the Plymouth Argyle defence at the age of just 17. He eventually signed for German giants Bayern Munich for a fee which could rise to 2 million, which presumably was incredibly beneficial for the club, as Football League clubs like Tranmere rely on finding talent through their youth system as a good financial source for them to thrive on.

This season however sees home grown 18 year olds Max Power, and Andy Coughlin come into the fold. For Tranmere fans alike how they’d love for at least one of these players to turn into a gifted football like Jennings to either reward the club with a substantial fee, or to provide a big part for the future of the club, and become the hero the Tranmere faithful thrive on.

Promising football

The weekends game against Chesterfield provided spectators with some entertaining and impressive football. It seems as though Les Parry strongly believes in his side to be able produce a good brand of football, as well as providing the points for his side to shoot up the table. Tranmere fans from across the North West aired their views in similar fashion, as labelling the performance as the best they’ve seen in a long time of the first game of the season. The first win of a football campaign can sometimes be challenging for some teams and can turn into monkey on their backs for some teams, so to gain this win at the first attempt is a welcome relief for Les Parrys barmy army.

Also encouraging from Last Saturdays performance was the crowds willingness to get behind Parry and his team even though the goal didn’t eventually come into later on. More performances like this from the whites will surely ensure the fans stay on their side and provide the 12^th man the team desperately need if they are to make positive strides this season. Now that stability has been brought to the helm with Parry after the woeful mishaps from John Barnes a few years back, the Rovers can hopefully look forward to an exciting and positive season ahead.

Less distractions

Although the defeat to Doncaster last night was anything but convincing from the Rovers, the defeat, and an early exit from the Carling cup could be a blessing in disguise. At first thought losing any game should at first impressions allude to a negative and although potentially the Carling Cup could be a money-maker for Tranmere, the defeat to Doncaster early in the competition means there are less distractions for Parry’s small squad to endure, which points to the question do they even have enough players or resources for a decent cup run?

So to the bookmakers and pessimists of this world. State all you like about how the Super Whites aren’t going to exceed this year, and write off their chances in succeeding in League One this year. The Rovers could well be that potential dark horse that everybody dismisses until match day, so i address the ‘Birkenheaders’ and tell them, shut up and be positive! o and cease from destroying your community!

Enjoyed this article? Follow me on Twitter @JoeCooper2794 to read other articles and keep up to date with this blog,

These words were stated by Rovers boss Les Parry in Last Tuesdays match day programme before their final friendly of the pre-season campaign as he like many other League One enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the new coming season in good spirit.

This season League One presents us with a list of mouth-watering fixtures from the newly formed Buckinghamshire derby (Milton Keynes Dons vs Wycombe) to the fierce Steel City Derby (Sheffield United vs Sheffield Wednesday) as well as providing us with sleeping giants such as Charlton Athletic, and Preston North End, and with no clear Favourites for promotion, this season in League One is expected to be better than ever!

However last season’s average attendance for a League one Fixture decreased dramatically from 9,139 to 7,526. Although some may say this is down to the popular Leeds United and Norwich City being in the division at the time, a sudden decrease in average attendances cannot be just down to two teams.

And in the words of Lord Kitchener himself, your football team you passionately love needs you! Without you the fans coming to watch the team you adore, there would be neither atmosphere nor excitement. Nobody to eat the match day pies we grudgingly have learnt to love. No stands to be filled and most of all, no quick witted chants over certain individuals whose egos are bigger than the attendance gate!

Can you imagine the Steel City derby without a dumb-witted yet genius remark to one another, chanting how great your team is, and how s**t theirs is. Or ignoring the fact Phil Browns face is browner than his shoes. Would you seriously be willing to disregard the opportunity to slander the Tranmere fans as ‘Scousers’ whilst the Tranmere faithful strongly make a claim that they hate the ‘Scousers’ more than there opposition!

The clichés are there, and will be for a number of years and rightly so, as many cash-strapped individuals struggle to make ends meet, never mind pay to watch some bunch of ‘lucky gets’ play football for a living. However if you are those who are willing to fork up their hard earned cash on the beautiful game, think about where you ‘invest’ your fortune. Perhaps instead of purchasing the new Manchester United strip and paying to see QPR in action, buy a season ticket for your League One team and have money left over for a match day pie!

So report to duty, for Service of his Majesty the poor sod who runs your club waiting for a Billionaire to knock on his doorstep asking to end his misery and restore his bank balance, and enlist for your local League one team now!

Enjoyed this article? Follow me on Twitter @JoeCooper2794 to read other articles and keep up to date with this blog,

Albeit a misfiring reserve side, there were plenty of good signs for the Rovers faithful to get excited about, after finishing pre-season on a high, as they look forward to welcoming newly promoted Chesterfield to Prenton Park on Saturday for their first game of the new anticipated season.

Dave Buchanan, one of Rovers new signings of the summer looked promising at the back, and clinical going forward as he produced a left foot dynamite to leave Liverpool’s Brad Jones grounded, whilst trialist Mustafa Tiryaki calmly slotted home the second to ease Tranmere to victory.

And despite manager Les Parry making 8 changes at half time, his side continued to dominate the game, proving that Parry has strength in depth this season, something which he undoubtedly lacked in previous seasons.

Since 2008, the annual outing between these two teams in pre-season has finished with the premier league giants unbeaten; however this Rovers side looked sharp, impressive and ready for the new season, a good omen that this season will be different from previous disappointing seasons perhaps?

The opposition? Although this defeat would not have pleased the Anfield outfit, there second string did at times show why they are Premier league players. Wonder kid Raheem Sterling quietly stated what all the fuss was about with minor sparks of brilliance from the youngster, whilst Daniel Ayala made a claim to manager Kenny Dalglish, to edge his way into the Liverpool side for the forthcoming season, but this was far from what was expected from Reserves Manager Rodolfo Borell, and one would hope from a liverpool perspective that the second team are capable of performing significantly better then they did against the Rovers.

Enjoyed this article? Follow me on Twitter @JoeCooper2794 to read other articles and keep up to date with this blog,

 
New Rovers keeper Owain Fon Williams respectively becomes the clubs new number 1, with Zoumana Bakayogo taking number 3. Andy Robinson moves to 11 while Joss Labadie is now number 4.

 
Presumably if you’re still reading this by now you’ve patiently resisted the easy way out and clicked off this article, after reading only what can be described as pointless information. So pointless in fact, even the ‘stattos’ of this world, would contemplate clicking off and furthering there interests in ‘The top ten footballing beards of all time.’

 
Fear thee not confused readers, I am not writing to just educate you on The Super White armies squad numbers for the eagerly anticipated forthcoming season, but also to give a personal perspective of the footballing big egos, whose numbers add up to more than there transfer value.

In all fairness to the Rovers, this season they have kept their squad numbers at a sensible rate. Youngster Max Power comes in at number 20, as the highest ranked squad number.

In contrast however, the clichés in bizarre numbers include Nicholas Anelka who’s bared the shirt on for his last 3 clubs at number 39, whilst after three seasons of conforming to the squad number code at Arsenal. Danish striker Nicklas Bendtner decided it would be a good idea to change his squad number of 26 to 52. Asked why, Bendtner stated “It’s a special number and I hope it brings me good luck” if Bendtner regards good luck as being the biggest disappointment since Gary Neville was confirmed as the next Sky Sports pundit, then the number 52 has served him efficently well.

 
Fully aware that I perhaps resemble the moaning Grandad in the stand blowing his pipe, who clearly hasn’t come to turns with the smoking ban, and questions why all the footballers nowadays are ‘Puffs’. None the less, I feel it is appropriate to dip into the archive of football and take note that footballers during the ‘good old days’ pulled on the shirt with their number being 1-11, in regards to their position, rather than the number of pies they’ve eaten , Egyptian misfit Mido stand up and be counted as he attempted to don the number 99, but for it to be blocked by the governing body.

 
So if you’re finding it difficult to spot ‘The big time Charlies’, those that are that desperate to be recognised, or perhaps the ‘Fattys’ of the footballing world, have a look at their squad number. It will easily identify these pitiful qualities.

Enjoyed this article? Follow me on Twitter @JoeCooper2794 to read other articles and keep up to date with this blog,

McLaren was a year and a half into his second spell at the club having starred under Ronnie Moore in the 2006/07 and 2007/08 seasons but found himself out of the first team regularly after suffering from various injuries.

It comes as good news to most Tranmere fans, who saw McLaren as a consistent weak link in the midfield; citing him as lazy and regularly criticising the 34 year-old’s performances.

Manager Les Parry said: ‘I’m sorry to see Paul leave the Club but at this stage of his career he felt that he needed to play regular first team football so we’ve decided to give him the chance to join another club where he will get an opportunity to play.

‘During his time at the Club Paul has been a valuable member of the squad and a model professional and I wish him all the best for the rest of his career.’