Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
‘ROVERS’ FATE IS SO UNFAIR’
TRANMERE boss Micky Mellon knows an EFL computer could condemn his club to a damaging relegation on Tuesday. Ending the League One season through a points-per-game system seems the likely outcome from the meeting – and that will see Mellon’s side dumped, despite winning their last three games. He said: “I don’t think there is a single fairminded person in football who will think it’s right if Tranmere are relegated on Tuesday.” Rovers beat Watford in the FA Cup in January and Mellon, who has propelled the Wirral club from non-league to League One, is angry they could be denied the right to save themselves. He added: “We knew from the start that for us to remain in this division it was always going to be about the last 10 games of the season. You find out who can withstand the pressure and we have prepared for that. “In the last 10 years I’ve probably experienced seven or eight 10-game chase-outs where something has been at stake – and been successful. “Those who have won leagues or being promoted will tell you that you never know whether your group is strong enough until you are halfway through the season. “It was the same with us this season. We said these boys have enjoyed back-to-back promotions and deserve a crack at League One until Christmas. “By January, we would know who can handle what is coming up and if they are not up to it they get replaced. I think, since January, we are 12th in the form table. We also beat Watford in the FA Cup. “We had to survive this season and grow, just like Fleetwood, Oxford and Wycombe have. You all need time in this division to move forward. “That could now be denied us. What I can’t get my head around is how can you have playoffs to potentially replace us in League One, but we are denied the opportunity to stay up? “For a computer to work the final positions out is bordering on the ridiculous. Much as I understand there has to be a conclusion, I don’t think this is fair. “Just as I believe Coventry deserve to go up, Tranmere deserve the chance of contesting the relegation places.” Rovers have a game in hand and are three points behind Wimbledon, who are currently safe from the drop. Mellon said: “We’ve a game in hand on Wimbledon and the computer is giving us something like O.9 of a point. How is that fair? “I understand all this about clubs’ finances and players’ contracts running out and the rest of it, but let’s not settle it using a calculator. “We knew that we would be strong, come the last 10 games. We’re flying. We’ve had three straight wins, all of them away from home. “I feel right now we’re standing in front of the EFL, cap in hand. That can’t be right. “We haven’t brought on the pandemic, but we could be severely damaged by it. People could lose their jobs – it’s as simple as that.”
‘I feel like we’re front standing in of the EFL, cap in hand. That can’t be right’