GET SET FOR A JOY RIDE!
LIAM Ridehalgh believes he is playing the best football of his career – and it’s all down to Micky Mellon.
The 26-year-old full-back was a key attacking force in the Tranmere Rovers side that reached the National League play-off final last year with an assist count well into double figures.
Much like the rest of his Prenton Park team-mates, however, Ridehalgh has struggled to hit such heights so far this season with Rovers languishing 15th in the table before yesterday’s trip to Aldershot Town.
But now he believes Rovers are beginning to turn the corner – and says his form is improving as well.
Taste
“Micky Mellon believes in me, which is massive,” he said. “It really helps and I should believe in myself. I’ve been here for four years now and I didn’t think I would when I first joined.
“I think I’m starting to get the best out of my football, especially if you look at last season and continuing into this one. I haven’t got as many assists as I’d have liked – so far I think it’s just the one – but hopefully that can change.”
Despite boasting an abundance of attacking talent, Rovers failed to score in eight of their opening 12 matches with only Guiseley having scored fewer than their 11 from 15 before yesterday.
Recent results, however, suggest an improvement – something Ridehalgh insists was going to happen sooner rather than later.
“We haven’t had the best of starts, we’re all aware of that,” he continued. “But it doesn’t stop us sticking to what we’re good at and sticking to the plan that we know will get us results. We know we’re a good side. We always believed that. We’ve just continued to do what we have been doing and it’s paying off.
“Steve McNulty’s been there and done it, so has Jeff Hughes. Ollie Norburn’s come in and I think he’s been one of our best players. We’ve got a very good starting eleven, right through to the bench.”
Ridehalgh has scored only four goals in over 150 appearances for Rovers since moving from Huddersfield in 2013, but after netting a superb free-kick in the 3-1 FA Cup victory over FC Halifax Town last week, the former Swindon, Chesterfield and Rotherham loanee now has a taste for more.
“I fancy myself from about 20 yards out,” he added. “I like to think I’m back on the ones around the box.
“Any further out, I think I’ll leave to Adam Buxton!”