IN football sometimes you have to lose to win. As curious a saying as that is, it has proven to be true in recent years when it comes to promotion back to Football League.
Both Grimsby Town and Forest Green Rovers have conjured escapes from non-league football in consecutive seasons, having fallen at the final hurdle in the previous campaign.
Enduring just one injury too many in a season ravaged by them, Tranmere Rovers will be looking to continue that promotion trend as they head into the 2017/18 National League season down at Torquay United on Saturday.
Micky Mellon has made interesting additions to his squad this summer, with the captures of prolific goal scorer James Alabi, midfield dynamo Ollie Norburn and super-talented winger Jack Dunn moving from Liverpool after a loan spell.
In attack and midfield Tranmere are spoilt for choice. Competition for places has never been tougher and that should keep standards sky high. Have a bad game at your peril.
Scott Davies has been a safe pair of hands for Rovers in between the sticks, but even he will now face a genuine challenge from the emerging Luke Pilling who has already made an impression on the international stage for Wales. No one’s starting birth is safe.
With centre back Michael Ihiekwe leaving the club for Rotherham United, last week’s capture of Jay McEverley from Ross County gives the Whites a street wise rear guard, albeit not one particularly blessed with pace.
One area of concern was the surprising decision to let Lee Vaughan depart the club after he was reportedly offered a new contract on inferior terms to his previous one. The consistent right back has not been replaced and Mellon will instead put his faith in youngsters Mitch Duggan and perhaps Evan Gumbs to fill the void. Hopefully they can grasp the opportunity.
The overall picture is a highly positive one. Gone are the days of a Tranmere side patched up with loan players that are here today and gone tomorrow. The squad is busting with characters who demand the best from themselves and each other.
The players have looked fitter than last season in preseason friendlies albeit the postponement of last Friday’s Bury fixture does leave Rovers a little short on game time heading into the real business.
With Ben Tolllitt, James Wallace and Jake Kirby all yet to return from injury, Mellon has the tools at his disposal to engineer a title challenge, for which they are hot favourites.
Nobody will be getting carried away at Prenton Park however – last season’s Wembley heartache is the only caveat required.
Will it be third time lucky for Tranmere in their quest to return to the Football League? You better believe it.
Meet the new signings:
Ollie Norburn
Attacking midfielder who made 24 appearances last season for Macclesfield Town, scoring against Rovers twice in the FA Trophy. Neat and tidy on the ball and always shows willing. Will add some craft – and hopefully goals – to the centre of the park.
George Waring
Giant centre forward who arrives from Stoke City, where he was loaned out four times. The 22-year-old only has seven career goals to his name but is highly fancied by Micky Mellon and will provide another option up front. Back injury has hampered pre-season minutes.
James Alabi
A man mountain. Alabi arrives from Chester, where he was top scorer last season with 23 league goals. Took only quarter of an hour to score a hat-trick against Cammell Laird on his preseason debut – netting five in total before half time. He will help keep standards high up front, where competition for places is at it’s fiercest.
Elliot Rokka
Plucked from Radcliff Borough in the depths of non-league football. He is a 21-year-old winger who won Evo-Stik Young Player of the Year last season. With star wide man Ben Tollitt not yet fit, he will provide an alternative when Mellon wants to utilise the flanks. Could be a dark horse.
Jay McEverley
Veteran centre-half who can also play at left back. Has been plying his trade in the Scottish Premier League with Ross County before moving back to his native Merseyside. Has top level experience having played for Blackburn Rovers and Derby County. Replaces the departed Michael Ihiekwe and will line up alongside fellow scousers Steve McNulty and Adam Buxton at the back.
Jack Dunn
Spent the second half of last season at Prenton Park on loan from Liverpool in what was a promising spell interrupted by injury. Secured on a permanent one year contract this summer. Dunn is quick, very skilful and has a fierce shot on him. Will provide balance on the opposite wing to Ben Tollitt when the latter returns from injury. Other clubs should be worried.
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