Andy Crosby praised as Tranmere win puts relegation pressure on Carlisle and Morecambe

Andy Crosby has been praised as a turnaround in Tranmere form and their win on Friday puts relegation pressure on Carlisle and Morecambe.

Tranmere won 2-0 at home to Cheltenham, extending their unbeaten streak to six games and boosting their chances of remaining in League Two next season.

Kristian Dennis put Rovers ahead with a header on the 25th minute, and Cameron Norman added a goal in stoppage time to seal all three points.

The result, ahead of Saturday’s matches, saw Tranmere go 9 points clear of the relegation zone. Tranmere are 22nd with 40 points from 39 games, Carlisle are 23rd with 31 points from 38 games, Morecambe 24th with 30 points from 38 games. Carlisle head to 5th place Doncaster while Morecambe host 15th place Swindon.

Tranmere caretaker manager Andy Crosby said, per Wirral Globe: “It was a good three points and another clean sheet.

“It’s important that we stay humble, we enjoy tonight’s victory, which you’ve got to do when you win and then we go again on Tuesday.

“I thought we made a slow start and we gave the first real good opportunity of the game to the opposition with the header in the box.

“But we grew into the game and got a foothold and started to play through their press and some of the football we played was really pleasing.”

“We’ve managed to not give them much throughout the game and I felt we could have taken advantage of some of the situations we created.

“But we’ve had 15 shots and we’ve got to keep focusing on that part of our game.

“We need to keep working, we’ve had a good month and the crowd were amazing again, but we have to stay humble and think about what we’re doing to try and win games.”

Cheltenham boss Michael Flynn said: “We weren’t good enough tonight.

“They outbattled us, they used the ball better than us and we conceded from another set play, which is disappointing.

“But I’m not going to come out here tonight and kick my players when they’re down. They are hurting in there and they’ve lost a bit of form.

“So this is when they need me to stick up for them and back them and that’s exactly what I’m going to do. They’re trying and we’re just falling short in terms of a bit of quality.

“There are a few things missing like the quality on the ball, defensive set plays we haven’t been good at, decision making and the energy we need to press wasn’t there.

“We haven’t been setting up negatively or changing what we are doing, it’s just that they haven’t been producing to the levels that they were earlier in the season.

“We’ve just got to regroup, stick together and try and finish the season as strongly as we can.”

As mentioned, Andy Crosby was praised by fans as the Tranmere win over Cheltenham puts relegation pressure on Carlisle and Morecambe…

@Al_TranmereFan: He has managed to turn around a team that was looking for guidance into a form team with loads of fighting spirit. He’s got to be manager of the month across all divisions.

@trfcdanny1884: L2 manager of the month for March 🤙

@Stever62Roberts: He’s been very impressive. Hope he puts himself forward for the permanent managers job.

@AndyBuchanan72: There is something refreshing about him… long may it continue

@RobertsRay1978: What a manager

@N_Macca74: Give him the job FT

@Jack_jones067: Gaffer 💙

@Davismax1884: Andy Crosby’s su why army

@bigtrucky: Just get us safe then build

@ianwebs01: Outstanding tonight from whole team, no way are we the 3rd worst team in league 2 after that performance. Tonight is why I want to be a Tranmere fan

@JCrook93: Fair crack to you lads, you’ve had the ability to change it up where we haven’t & it’s worked.. can’t say we deserve to stay up with all the points we’ve thrown away 🦐

@SterTrfc: Such a turnaround from performances and goals. This had to happen fairplay to everyone behind the scenes. Well in Finley aswell. Took shit he never deserved

@Liam_O8rien: This is some team. Got to give plaudits to Merrie, he’s improved so much lately, Rolls Royce in midfield. Wood had a blinder there too 👏 just going to stick on a Doncaster shirt

@SouthernSWA1: Get in! Massive win that. Well done lads 💪