TRANMERE Rovers travel to Barrow on Saturday, looking to continue their fantastic run of form in League Two.

Nigel Adkins’ side have won seven of their last ten games in the division, including their last four in a row over the festive period.

But Barrow are also in good form and possessed an unbeaten run stretching back to early October, before losing 4-1 to Wrexham on Monday. 

Pete Wild’s men are fourth and find themselves four points behind the automatic promotion places.  

"It's been phenomenal," said Adkins. "The players and the staff have been absolutely exceptional and to win four games over Christmas is a great credit to all of them.

"The football we played, the goals we scored, the smiles on supporters' faces - I'm passionate about Tranmere Rovers and passionate about my football and it's been a wonderful period of time and now we have the momentum we've got to keep it going.

"Our defensive shape against Notts County was exceptional - defences win championships and the way we set ourselves up allowed us to nullify so many of their great threats.

"I thought some of the football we played was a joy to watch - I really enjoyed the performance of the players."

Adkins credited the upturn in form with the side's adaptation to a new style of play and a different formation.

He said: "When I came here the club had an idea of its identity and since I became permanent manager I've changed that and it suits the players a little bit more. 

"We have a compact shape and I want us to be an aggressive side when we press and then to be able to keep the ball and sustain pressure for a long period of time.

"It doesn't happen overnight and there has been a lot of hard work that has gone on on the training ground by the players, the coaching staff and the medical staff and everybody has contributed.

"It takes time to build trust and an understanding and consistency is key - we've now had a consistent run of performances and that comes about by coming into the training ground everyday and doing all the right things. If you're not in the team your performance on the training ground is still helping the players who are to perform better because they know they have to or someone is ready to take their place. We have a squad of players who have really brought into it."

With just one defeat in 15 games, Barrow will offer a further test of Tranmere's new found confidence and Adkins' is under no illusions about the task ahead. 

"The games are coming thick and fast," he said. "We had never come from behind to win a game for 97 matches and all of sudden we've done it in three games in a short space of time so there's a belief that whatever happens, if we keep doing the right things, we'll get an opportunity.

"Barrow are very, very good and it will be a really tough game going up there at the weekend. Pete has done really well there and it's great to see young managers doing well and getting the opportunity."

Among all the positives over Christmas, Tranmere did receive the bad news that Rob Apter would be returning to Blackpool after his successful loan spell at Prenton Park ended. 

"He's been exceptional," said Adkins. "I think he's really enjoyed his time with us and although the loan period is up who knows what's going to happen in the future? 

"We've loved him being here and he's been a big part of what we've been doing - we'll see what happens. The transfer window in January is fantastic - it's so frustrating as a manager because you know there are things going on behind the scenes and you have to wait, keep things private and you can't say things but that's the beauty of the transfer window.

"It's exciting for supporters and you'll find a lot of deals will be done right at the end of January - it's an opportunity to move a few things around but we have a great momentum at the moment and a squad of players who are having a right good go so I would suggest that we're not really looking to make too many changes but there could be something going on."