Not just because we are going into the League 2 Play Off Semi-final 2nd leg with a 2-1 lead (Did I just really type that?), but because the fans are back and it is going to be an amazing atmosphere! It has been far too long without our Red Army and if last night is anything to go by at Prenton Park we are going to make so much noise the players will know exactly what they mean to us this season. It is our chance to thank them and really get behind them!
It is a real shame that we cant have a full house and I feel desperately sorry for all the regular supporters who didn't manage to get a ticket. (Shame on anyone who doesn't usually go but bought a ticket BTW). We have missed every one of you this season, I promise. All I can say is that you will be there in spirit and I know that we will hear the roar all over Morecambe. The lucky 1,500 will also quadruple their efforts to represent each and every one of you and give you every chance of getting the opportunity to go to Wembley!
I know that Derek will have a plan and that the players will know exactly what that plan is and go about executing it to the letter. That is what they have done all season. It might mean taking it to them. It might mean just keeping possession. It might mean sitting back a bit and soaking it up. Whatever that plan is, it is our job to support the players, not offer our own tactics or have a groan when something doesn't work. Let them get on with what they have been doing all season and back them 100%. Positivity creates positivity.
I saw first hand what happened last night at Prenton Park when the fans got restless. We scored just before half time (The winner as it turned out) and the fans thought there should have been a handball just before the goal. The referee blew for half time and the fans started booing! You could see the Tranmere Players heads go down as they walked off the pitch to the boos. They didn't realise that the fans were booing the Ref as he was the last one off the pitch and they were already gone when they started giving him ‘feedback’. In the second half the restlessness started at around 70 minutes and then the vocal criticism and the groans. It completely destroyed the Tranmere players' confidence (Which was great for us!). I know we won't fall into that trap.
Let’s use Sunday as a celebration of the season. Let’s really get the atmosphere bouncing and really get behind the players. This will be the first time that many have played at the Mazuma in front of fans and could be apprehensive. Let’s show them what this has meant to us and what they have done for us throughout the season. They have done us proud. Let us do them proud! If we win on Sunday it will be the biggest achievement in our history. We go to Wembley which will be the biggest match in our history. Then we are back to nervous! Until then, let’s all get behind Derek and the Shrimps, wherever we are watching, and enjoy the excitement and cheer them on to victory. We have the best fans in the league. Our turn to step up and make a difference!
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