CASUALTY: Ian Goodison could be sidelined for up to six weeks
TRANMERE Rovers need at least 69 points - and perhaps more than 70 - to finish in the top six and qualify for a place in the Coca-Cola League One end-of-season play-offs.
And, with just nine games to go - five of them at Prenton Park - boss Ronnie Moore has thrown down the gauntlet to his players by declaring: "It's up to you - go for it!"
Despite two successive defeats that brought Rovers' nine-game unbeaten run to a disappointing end - that may have become three depending on the outcome of Tranmere's visit to runaway leaders Swansea last night (Tuesday) - Moore was in fighting mood before boarding the club coach to South Wales.
"It's disappointing we have dropped from sixth to eighth in the table, but we are still well in it," he insisted. "We are not despondent but we need to put things right."
The Prenton Park manager made no attempt to hide his feelings about the manner in which Tranmere lost their second successive game on Saturday, when they lost 3-1 at his ex-club Oldham Athletic.
Moore ordered his players in on Sunday to go through the match video. "It was not a matter of giving them a run-out - we have gone through the video to try and put certain things right."
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Moore believes his dream of leading Rovers to where he feels they belong - The Championship - is very much alive.
"There's every reason to go for it - not least for our fans who pay good money to support us," he said. "We don't want just that sixth spot, it's about what we do and if we turn up there will be some wonderful games ahead . . . it's up to the lads."
At the time of writing, Tranmere were two points off that all-important sixth spot and included in the manager's calculations is the fact that the teams above Rovers will be doing battle with each other in the weeks ahead.
It's disappointing we have dropped from sixth to eighth in the table, but we are still well in it - we are not despondent but we need to put things right.
Rovers' boss Ronnie Moore
Evenso, Tranmere need to pick up at least another 17-20 points from their remaining games, starting with the visit of Hartlepool United to Prenton Park on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).
"We've got a great opportunity with three home games to come this month to give our play-off hopes a boost," said Moore.
The Tranmere boss could be without club captain Ian Goodison, who suffered a knee injury at Oldham and is awaiting the results of a scan.
Said Moore: "He's very sore and can't walk on it. He'll miss the Swansea game - it looks like he could be out for weeks rather than days. Our worst fear is that he could be sidelined for up to six weeks - and maybe a lot longer.
He added: "It's disappointing, but it presents the other lads with playing opportunities."
Steve Jennings was also absent last night as he completed a three-match suspension, but is available for the Hartlepool game.
Danny Holmes, who has returned to Prenton Park after a successful loan spell at Bue Square North club Southport, did travel with the squad to Swansea.
Tranmere season ticket holders can take a friend or relative to Prenton Park for half price when Rovers entertain Port Vale on Thursday week (March 20, kick off 7.45pm).
Vale agreed to the match being brought forward 24 hours from Good Friday because of Rovers' long trip to Bournemouth on Easter Monday.
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