A very good year?
By Billy Hodges
May 14 2022
The last ball has been kicked in competition by Tranmere, players have been released, negotiations are underway to retain a few, others are being waved 'goodbye' with thanks and best wishes, Us supporters are left wondering whether that was the most frustrating season in ages or simply the taste of better things to come?
There were a number of bright spots. The emergence of Eliot Nevitt as a striker, the arrival of Kane Hemmings, the promise that was Hawkes, Miracle's too. Clarke continuing to play like a man 10 years younger than he is, Jay Spearing going about 4 matches without being booked, Josh Hawkes being swapped for an identikit footballer who played entirely differently after his loan spell. Amazing.
As for the games, we were given a footballing lesson by Forest Green, but not Exeter City. Both clubs have now moved on to pastures new, leaving us looking forward to the excitement of visits from Crawley, Walsall and Harrogate Town. They must be frustrated at no longer being able to play us, but instead having to play clubs like Derby, Bolton & Portsmouth.
if home games are postponed next season we can hardly blame the Pools Panel if they decide the game was a 1:1 draw. For weeks one all was all we seeemd to deliver. We were haunted by late equalisers, dodgy refs and Micky's post match comments. Ronnie Moore often used to say that it wouldn't be long before teams were on to a hiding. Micky would never make such an outlandish statement, preferring instead to meditate on the frustrations of the universe and the mysteries as to why his tactics failed.
There were bright spots. The away win at Carlisle when Oggie scored, sending us travelling supporters into raptures, the thumping of Swindon at home, insignificant now, they made the play offs, we didn't, but at the time a moment of joy and ecstasy.
We never looked convincing when we were 2nd, in fact we never looked convincing all season. Hard working, yes. Well organised, maybe, but too often we didn't entertain enough. Yet the last goal we scored, that excellent move away at Orient, showed what might have been. A team capable of such a move can't be all bad can it.
Next season now beckons. New faces will appear, hopefully we will not make the mistakes of signing make do forwards like Mani or Maynard, but instead go for quality not quantity. There will be the inevitable learning of names, whilst old faces (a veteran is now a player in their second season) will give us the assurance that we are in Prenton Park and haven't wandered into somewhere else by mistake. Whether we struggle or dominate the League remains to be seen. It will, however, still be Tranmere Rovers, with all the frustrations, joy and anticipation that involves.
Enjoy the summer.
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I don't expect us to go with quality rather than quantity, as Micky seems to like a big squad of players. You would have to hope, though, that the club manage to assemble a more balanced squad and one that suits the manager a little better.
We spent a significant amount of money last summer (just not on the strikers) and I think it's fair to say that we didn't get the best out of expensive signings like McManaman and Watson.
We should be competitive next season, but there will be other well-backed clubs in the division. At the very least, we should be aiming to score more goals.
Then I ate his Liver.......... with some baked beans and a can of coke.
Onwards and Upwards!