ADKINS FITS THE BILL FOR ROVERS
Brabin exit opens door for former Saints chief
TRANMERE chairman Mark Palios must break the bank to lure the big name manager the fans crave to Prenton Park – with Barrow boss Paul Cox a less costly consideration. The NLP understands former Southampton manager Nigel Adkins has had conversations with Rovers about replacing Gary Brabin. But with Tranmere being out-spent by other National League clubs, only the promise of more money to enhance a squad pulled apart by injuries and a big wage with a sizeable pro- motion bonus will be enough to secure the services of Adkins, who has just bought a new family home in the south.
The club’s fans turned on Brabin – August’s manager of the month – forcing the board to act after a torrid fortnight which saw the earlyseason leaders pick up just one point from a possible 12.
Palios must now decide if he will invest more in the high-profile new manager the fans want or look instead to candidates like Mark Yates, who has applied, or former Scunthorpe manager Russ Wilcox. Also linked with the vacancy is ex-Coventry City boss Steven Pressley.
Speaking for the first time since his sacking, Brabin said: “Of course I’m sad to be going – but I firmly believe I leave the club in a better position than when I found it.
“There is a good team there and whoever is lucky enough to get the job has a side strong enough to compete for promotion.
“I believe we were on course to achieve our aims, but I wish the club every success.”
PAUL Carden declared his intention to run for the vacant manager’s job at Prenton Park as the interim boss led Tranmere to victory over Woking.
Andy Cook gave Rovers the lead from six yards on 34 minutes before doubling that advantage four minutes after the break.
Fabio Saraiva pulled one back for the visitors, but James Norwood reaffirmed the two-goal cushion a minute later.
Scott Davies saved a penalty for Rovers in the second half, while Norwood missed his second spot-kick of the season in injury time.
A satisfied Carden said: “I know there’s going to be names a lot more attractive in management than Paul Carden, but winning football matches is all you can do and my hat’s in the ring to have a crack at it.
“I said to the players before the game, you’re playing Woking at home. Step up to it, but go and try to entertain. We spoke about was putting balls into the box with quality. With the two lads up front, we’ll score goals. I’m just pleased with the result and the performance. But for a 15-20 minute spell in the second half, they’ve thoroughly deserved it.”
Tranmere led on 34 minutes when a ball over the top ricocheted into the feet of Cook and the striker slammed home from close range.
The former Barrow hit man got his second when Lois Maynard found him in the box, cutting inside his man before side footing the ball home.
Woking sensed that Tranmere weren’t settled however and when Nathan Ralph knocked one down for Saraiva on the edge of the box, he smashed the ball into the net and gave the visitors a lifeline.
It lasted all of minute however, as a cross from Sutton found the glancing head of Norwood, instantly returning Rovers’ twogoal advantage. There was still time for a penalty miss at each end. First Scott Davies saved from Keiran Murtagh before Norwood was denied in time added on by Michael Poke.
Woking boss Garry Hill said: “It was frustrating as there was never a 3-1 score line here today in any way. We’ve had a goal disallowed, a penalty saved, more chances and probably more possession.
“They’ve probably had seven chances today in the match and they’ve hit the back of the net three times and the keeper’s made three good saves. It was their day in respect of putting the ball in the back of the net.
“I don’t think we looked like a team in the bottom six, who are part-time. That’s for sure. We had good chances and if one of those chances goes in, you certainly haven’t got the twelfth man up here in respect of the crowd.”