Cautious optimism as squad refresh begins at Tranmere Rovers

After narrowly missing out on the playoffs last term, Tranmere Rovers have undergone something of a rebuild in the close season as they look to freshen up what was becoming an aging squad.

Rovers flirted with the automatic promotion places last season at one stage but ended up two points shy of the playoffs after some bitterly disappointing defeats to the likes of Colchester United towards the end of the season.

Micky Mellon’s side was built on a strong defensive record that did much better than the underlying statistics suggest, finishing the campaign with the second best defensive record.

The struggles came at the other end of the pitch with Rovers scoring just 53 goals in their 46 games, the fewest of any side that finished in the top half.

Transfers

Many felt change was needed this summer with plenty of first-team players on the wrong side of 30 but Tranmere have also got a lot of experience. Veteran defender Peter Clarke was a rock during his time at Prenton Park but has now left to join Walsall.

Other elder statesmen to leave include Sam Foley and Nathaniel Knight-Percival while Jay Spearing has headed back to Liverpool to take up a coaching role in the youth setup.

The majority of players coming into the club are under the age of 25, which marks a distinct shift in recent transfer activity. James Vaughan has taken over as Sporting Director and it is clear the club are trying to go in a different direction.

Reece McAlear has joined from Norwich City having impressed for Inverness in the Scottish Championship last season, and hopes are high that the 20-year-old can replicate that form south of the border.

Joel Mumbongo is another exciting arrival coming in from Burnley, while Rhys Hughes impressed at times for Everton’s underage sides and will relish the opportunity to test himself at senior level.

It is not solely youth that have come through the doors however. Paul Lewis is back after a year away at Northampton while Neill Byrne, Jordan Turnbull and Jon Nolan have come in from fellow League Two sides.

Key Player

Kane Hemmings arrived last January from Burton Albion and had the striker been there since August, things could have turned out a whole lot differently for Rovers last season.

The 31-year-old is not lacking in experience and had 14 goal contributions in less than 2,000 minutes last season. Getting a full season out of the former Mansfield Town man could make a huge difference for Mellon’s side as there are not many more effective attackers in the division.

Hopes

Some Rovers fans will probably dream of going up automatically but a playoff position seems a more realistic aspiration. League Two was amazingly competitive last season and with big-spending Stockport County coming up, things do not appear to be getting any easier for anyone trying to get out of the league.

Some more attacking football would also go down well in Birkenhead with Mellon criticised at times last season for being too cautious, particularly in away games.

Stevenage at home in the first game will be a test, but there are certainly reasons for optimism for the Super White Army this season.

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