MICKY HAILS TEAM SPIRIT

Rovers’ demands keep us all going

MICKY Mellon was in full flow in his post-match Sutton United press conference when he was plunged into darkness.

“They’ve turned the lights off on us, I’m getting fed up of this now,” joked the Tranmere Rovers boss, referring to the floodlight failure during the FA Trophy match at Solihull Moors the previous week.

The National League side are more used to being in the spotlight as they aim to return to the Football League after three years away.

A play-off final no-show last season was followed by a slow start to this year’s campaign with Rovers languishing below mid table. But after a 2-1 victory at Sutton was followed up with a 4-1 win against AFC Fylde on Boxing Day, Mellon’s side pushed their way into the play-off places. It also moved them just eight points behind leaders Macclesfield with a game in hand and a lot of football still to play.

“A club the size of Tranmere... listen, it’s always easier to play against Tranmere than it is to play for Tranmere,” Mellon said.

“It’s easy to get up for playing against Tranmere. We’ve got to be at it every week because everyone raises their game against us.

“We’ve put our finger on why we never put games to bed or didn’t do better in certain games (earlier in the season) – that seems to be turning around, and we seem to be taking the chances that are coming our way and scoring our goals now.”

Mellon knows what it takes to win promotion at this level, having taken Fleetwood Town to the title in some style back in 2012.

Lured away from Shrewsbury Town to return to the club where he spent two years as a player, the 45year-old knows the remit is to repeat the trick.

Pedigree

A big factor in his success as a manager is the ownership he insists his players take in achieving the ultimate aim.

“It’s important, because it’s the way I like to manage,” Mellon said.

“I think the greatest motivator of a person is themselves. They know what they need. So, as I say to them, the prize is there for them to go and get. If they behave properly and make the sacrifices that are needed to get better every day, then they will get the rewards. “Over my career that’s something I’ve developed and the way I like to manage at clubs. The players fight for themselves and there’s no greater motivator.” Mellon also has big-game experience in his side. Steve McNulty was his title-winning captain at Fleetwood and also has a championship medal with Luton Town. The centre-back is a prime example of the character Mellon says is vital to have in the camp. “There has to be [character] because, believe me, to be a Tranmere player you have to have character,” Mellon said. “The demands on the club and the players are massive – because we’re such a good football club and the fans demand we give them everything. “But we embrace that challenge, and you can’t play for Tranmere if you don’t embrace it. “So we take it on the chin if we don’t deliver, but we always come back and try to deliver in the next game.” As 2018 arrives, the National League promotion race looks to be one of the most interesting in years. Wide-open, no team has yet been able to put a long run together that has taken them clear of the pack. So how does Mellon see it? “It’s always been tough [in this division],” he said. “It’s relentless and always on top of you. “But that’s what makes it so special when you’re successful in this division, and I know all about that. So it’s well worth fighting for.”