Parry has faith in Rovers’ ability

LES PARRY’S pre-season declaration that Tranmere Rovers, Athletic’s opponents on Saturday, were gunning for promotion caused some to scoff.

Despite that ambitious target — particularly so, given the club’s slender budget and historical struggles at the nether end of npower League One — the Rovers boss has presided over a very satisfactory opening to the campaign which has forced critics to start eating their words.

And his inflated expectations may just have been designed to give Rovers an Athletic-style early boost.

“Last year, Oldham’s win here on the opening day showed how important it is to make a good start,” said Parry, referring to Paul Dickov’s first competitive game in charge which featured two excellent goals from Dale Stephens.

“Two months after they beat us, Oldham were lying second in the division. Then they picked up some injuries and had a poor time but the points in the bank kept them comfortable in the division. It’s better to do that than be looking over your shoulder.”

Parry’s side this time around is characterised by passing football and a solidity which has seen the team concede only three times at Prenton Park so far.

A defence still marshalled by 38-year-old Ian Goodison now features a new goalkeeper in ex-Rochdale stopper Owain Fon Williams and a pair of fresh full-backs, former Shrewsbury man David Raven and Dave Buchanan.

A particularly notable result this season saw Rovers win 2-0 at well-fancied Brentford, Robbie Weir and Andy Robinson getting the goals.

The team sprung to national attention on international weekend, drawing 1-1 at Charlton in a match broadcast live on BBC Radio Five Live.

It was a clash in which the Birkenhead club gave a good account of themselves, to the extent that they could easily have defeated the npower League One leaders.

Athletic were linked with a swoop for Everton striker Jose Baxter at the start of last season, but the 19-year-old didn’t arrive at Boundary Park and he is now enjoying a loan spell with Tranmere.

Baxter made his first start at Charlton and may have done enough to keep his place up front, working alongside last season’s 13-goal leading scorer Enoch Showunmi.

Former Swansea and Leeds player Robinson, who had a spell training with Athletic last term, will probably miss out at the weekend as a result of a thigh injury, as will ex-Barnsley wide man Martin Devaney (hamstring).