It’s been quite the year for Tranmere Rovers.
From securing back-to-back promotions at Wembley in May to setting up a dream FA Cup tie with Tottenham Hotspur, 2019 has been filled with unforgettable moments for the Super White Army to cherish.
Not only did Sunday’s contest with Blackpool represent Rovers’ final game of the year, it also marked the halfway stage in League One for Micky Mellon’s men.
The Whites have certainly progressed since their opening day defeat at the hands of Rochdale, though the Tranmere boss believes new signings are now required to allow the club’s development to continue into 2020.
Reflecting on 2019 after Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Blackpool, Mellon said: “We had a great first half to the year and the second half has been about finding out whether or not the group, minus Norwood, could step up and become League One players.
“We never knew, and there was nobody that knew what we could do in terms of competing. I think we all have to accept that the step up has been tough at times, but I think we’re growing as a group. The group needs help now, in the form of quality additions. We will work very hard to do that and we’re always in constant talk. If Tranmere are to move forward, we have to be good in the transfer windows.
He continued: “I think things have improved, but we need to find a consistency and to be performing more like today (Blackpool) over 90 minutes. I said to the players at half-time, ‘Put two halves together.' That’s what’s required at this level, two halves of heart, desire and running power.
“We definitely need reinforcements in order to keep moving forward, we need new blood and new bodies. We all know who are good players, but good players cost a lot of money. The club is keen to move forward, we have no intention of standing still. The recruitment is going to be massively important because better players make better teams. We’ve definitely improved since the start of the season, but there’s more improvement and consistency needed.”
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Rovers certainly signed off 2019 in style, producing a high-quality performance that arguably deserved all three points versus the Tangerines.
Mellon, who was left despondent after a half-hearted showing at Burton, was searching for a response from his players. That is exactly what he received, and more.
Pleased with the attitude shown by his team, the Rovers’ boss described Sunday’s display as a ‘Tranmere performance’, which included everything that this club stands for.
“If we’re poor, I’ll say we were poor and I’ll take responsibility for that. But that today, was a Tranmere performance,” stated Mellon.
“That’s what is expected at the bare minimum when you play for Tranmere. When you fall below that, I’ll be the first to admit that and will be all over us. I’m careful to say ‘us’ because I am the manager. I was beyond disappointed at how we competed at Burton; it was not a Tranmere performance. It was nowhere near what we are as a football club and the culture of what this club is. It’s important that I recognise that as I know what it’s about; it’s hard graft, running and heart.
“We made sure that we responded and did what a Tranmere team should do; the culture has always been to fight hard and play with desire. I told the players to just get out there and give us a Tranmere performance. Represent this club in that way and nobody will point any fingers at you. As much as we pointed the finger at ourselves after Burton, they deserve a massive pat on the back for their performance today.”
He added: “If we keep going like we fought and battled today, Tranmere will have no problems at all. Make no mistake about it. We have run a Blackpool team, who are at the right end of the table, very close and should have probably got the result in the end.
“Blackpool’s goal is as bad as the pitch, it’s poor. What we were doing, I don’t know. We weren’t aggressive enough and it’s another goal from a set-play. But the reaction after that, we keep going and digging in, when weaker sides would have folded and gone under. We kept going, Morgan Ferrier gets a cracker, and he was fantastic all afternoon.”