- Got the fans back on side
All it took was a couple of draws and a battling home win over Bromley, and the Tranmere fans started to believe that they would avoid relegation. After 10 games without a win, apathy and even acceptance of their fate had set in. Andy Crosby gained a credible draw in his first game, against promotion-chasing Port Vale, with a performance that provided enough hints that dropping into the National League was not a foregone conclusion. In his next game, he managed to do something even more important…
- Started competing away from home
Tranmere’s last away point had come on October 19th. After that victory at Bromley, Rovers then endured a 10-game losing run away from home, with performances that became increasingly limp and predictable. The hosts would be largely untroubled by Tranmere’s attack and, with a sense of inevitability, breach Rovers’ backline at some point. For his first away game, at Grimsby, Crosby earned a valuable point. But for an unlucky penalty, when Jordan Turnbull slipped in the penalty area and handled the ball, it could have been more. Beating highflying Bradford away was something of a smash and grab, but it was a performance full of determination and endeavour. Even the loss at Harrogate, Crosby’s first as interim manager, was a performance that showed a team capable of hurting teams away from home.
- Picked Josh Hawkes
It is too simplistic to say that Josh Hawkes has been responsible for the upturn in results, however he is the poster-boy for the change that had occurred. Hawkes had been frozen out under Nigel Adkins, frequently failing to make the bench or playing just a handful of minutes late on in games. Crosby brought the winger straight in, deploying him as one of two number 10s, and has been rewarded with two goals and three assists in eight appearances. His return to the team has been emblematic of Crosby’s influence. Rather than athletes, technique was now being favoured.
- Given the team a clear identity
This preference for technique has provided Crosby’s version of Tranmere with a clear way of playing. He would probably not start the season with a back three made up of only one proper centre back, flanked by full backs, and a winger at wing back, but he has turned it into a positive. The back three are more mobile and more comfortable on the ball, and are shielded by Chris Merrie and Sam Finley at the back of midfield. This has allowed Omari Patrick, the winger turned wing back, to receive the ball higher up the pitch and be an attacking outlet. It has also got the best out of Cameron Norman on the opposite flank. Norman has been in superb form recently, and has found the net twice in three games. The team now look to get the ball down and play, working neat combinations to prize an opening. Previously, it appeared as though Tranmere were hoping that their opponents would make a mistake and provide them with a goalscoring opportunity. Under Crosby, they carry a real goal threat.
- By not being Nigel Adkins
Tranmere fans were not happy with Nigel Adkins’ management (Ellie Harker)
Prenton Park was a toxic place in Adkins’ final days. Fan displeasure was evident by the banners being unfurled after each insipid performance. Crosby, simply by not being Adkins, has allowed a line to be drawn under this. It has certainly helped that results have been excellent, too, but by the time of Adkins’ dismissal, his position was untenable. Many would argue that he should have gone long before, perhaps as early as November after the defeat to Oldham in the FA Cup. The change of manager, which seemed to be a rather reluctant move by Mark Palios, breathed life into Tranmere’s season, and may well have ensured League Two football for 2025-26.
(Featured image from Alamy Images under agreed licence)
