Football Season Guide

Ian Dawes has been given the opportunity to lift Tranmere Rovers out of the doldrums. Dawes has spent the last three seasons as assistant manager and has twice been in caretaker charge before being announced as Micky Mellon’s successor. Mellon’s second spell as boss failed to bring the same success as the first with Rovers eventually finishing in 12th place. Some fans will be worried that Dawes represents the cheap option and that viewpoint is given further credence by the loss of their best two players this summer. The out-of contract Josh Dacres-Cogley has joined Bolton Wanderers whilst wing-back Ethan Bristow has joined MLS side Minnesota United for an undisclosed fee. It leaves Rovers with a rather underwhelming squad. 41-year-old Joe Murphy finished the previous campaign as their No. 1 goalkeeper whilst summer signing Luke McGee has failed to establish himself anywhere. Regan Hendry’s loan move from Forest Green Rovers has been made permanent despite some average performances. Kristian Dennis and Luke Norris are the standout signings so far, having both been promoted from League Two with Carlisle United and Stevenage respectively. The return of striker Connor Jennings for his second spell on the Wirral feels a little like a failure of recruitment. The likes of midfielders Brad Walker and Paul Lewis, winger Kieron Morris and striker Charlie Jolley return to pre-season training having missed the conclusion to the last campaign with significant injuries. Morris will be important player once he returns to fitness. Dawes can at least call upon two key men in centre-back Jordan Turnbull and winger Josh Hawkes, who were the best of a bad bunch at the end of last season. He will have to bring in some quality if they’re to improve on that disappointing showing.