Micky Mellon hails Tranmere’s battling qualities against Blackpool

Posted Monday, December 30, 2019 by PA

Micky Mellon felt his players had produced a real Tranmere performance and were unlucky not to take all three points after coming from behind to draw 1-1 with Blackpool at Prenton Park.

Ben Heneghan gave the Seasiders the lead in the ninth minute but Morgan Ferrier drew Rovers level with a fine individual goal just before half-time.

In a fierce contest, Tranmere produced the better chances in the second half and boss Mellon proclaimed that his side will need to show all their qualities to stay in Sky Bet League One this season.

He said: “That today is a Tranmere performance. That’s what’s required bare minimum. I was disappointed with how we competed against Burton Albion. It was nowhere near what we are as a football club.

“The crowd know what they want. Both sets of players had a right go on a beyond tough pitch.

“We made sure that we responded. We fought hard and ran with desire and all but for an unbelievable save – all credit to the boy – I’ve not seen a save like that in a long time.

“As soon as it left Connor Jennings’ foot I thought that’s in. I think that probably would’ve been a fair reflection on the game.

“I thought we were the better side. We showed loads of qualities in a really tough game against a big physical Blackpool team who can you can see are prepare to play and dig in like they are every week.”

Poor defending from set-pieces was once again the hosts’ Achilles heel as they failed to deal with an early corner that was eventually bundled through Aaron Chapman’s legs on the line – Heneghan claiming the last touch.

But Ferrier was holding the ball up superbly for Tranmere at the other end and he finally got a return for his efforts just before half-time, turning his man in the box before slotting into the bottom corner.

Rovers took the game to Blackpool after the break with Mark Howard brilliantly denying Connor Jennings before Ferrier hit the post with the rebound late on.

Blackpool manager Simon Grayson said: “As the game was going you see that it was going to be a game that might not be the most attractive but you could also see that it was going to have a lot of incidents.

“We picked a team to try and combat the pitch and we got off to a good start. Just to concede at half-time – you want to get to half-time when you’re away from home to take stock of situations. Then it was quite an even second half I thought.

“It was probably one the best centre forward performances I’ve seen all season against us (from Ferrier). He made it a real tough afternoon.”