"I think today it feels devastating but tomorrow it is not disastrous”, were the words spoken by Mark Palios as Tranmere suffered relegation out of the Football League four years ago.
"The club will return to the Football League," added Palios —and after three seasons spent in England’s fifth tier, the Rovers chairman has seen his prediction come true.
Tranmere ’s first campaign back in the Football League was intended to mark gradual progress, recovery and limited expectations following their three-year absence, though Micky Mellon has guided the Whites to an unimaginable position—and this is something the players are not prepared to give up on just yet.
But just what exactly has fired Rovers so high up the League Two table?
James Norwood’s 27 league goals have, certainly, proved influential in making this campaign such an unprecedented success, but everywhere you look on the pitch, each player has played their part in defying the odds upon Rovers’ return to familiar surroundings.
Scott Davies has led by example in goal, registering 19 clean sheets in 44 league appearances, with defenders Manny Monthe and Mark Ellis providing all the necessary protection in front of the Rovers shot-stopper.
Jake Caprice has struck fear into opposition defenders with his mazy runs into attacking positions, while Liam Ridehalgh and Zoumana Bakayogo have both impressed on the opposite flank at left-back.
In midfield, the wealth of experience brought by David Perkins has made this an area of the pitch in which Rovers have only gone from strength-to-strength.
Ollie Banks’ silky, elegant play has been coupled with the drive and dynamism of Luke McCullough and Jay Harris.
Elsewhere, Connor Jennings’ selflessness has enabled Norwood to sit comfortably at the top of scoring charts, and the duo have both spoken with admiration of the partnership they have formed.
Partnership is the key word here, because so many have been formed in this side.
Monthe and Ellis, Perkins and McCullough, Jennings and Norwood, Mellon and the fans.
At the very beginning of the campaign, the Rovers boss made clear on several occasions how he was ‘cautiously optimistic’ about the months that were to follow. The Super White Army may not have quite been on the same page at this stage, but any uncertainty and doubt would soon vanish.
One third of the way into the campaign saw Mk Dons in second place, Exeter City positioned in the top-three, Newport County fourth and Colchester United fifth. All of those sides have since fallen further down the table.
Tranmere were seventh, one point and two places ahead of Crawley Town—the side Rovers will face on the final day of the season.
Connor Jennings talks automatic promotion chances as Tranmere look to heal old wounds versus Bury
When they meet on May 4, separating them now is 13 places and 22 points.
Mellon’s men, unlike other sides, have refused to stand still.
The seven-game winning streak that the Whites embarked upon from mid-February until the end of March really showed their true colours.
As the race for promotion began to hot up, they produced a number of scintillating displays to ensure that those who were, potentially, beginning to remove Rovers from the play-off picture were left to reassess the situation.
Micky Mellon provides injury updates and explains the message Tranmere players must remember
‘We were somewhat of an unknown quantity’— is a phrase that has been deployed by Norwood on more than one occasion this term to describe what Tranmere were at the start of this term. And he was right.
But, make no mistake about it, this no longer applies. Every side within the division are now fully aware of just how dangerous Mellon’s men can be.
Automatic promotion, while still possible, may be one step too far for the Whites, though there can be little room for disappointment if this is the case.
With a place in the play-offs all but confirmed, this is the third year running in which Tranmere have been pushing for a division breakout.
2017 brought heartache at the hands of Forest Green Rovers, 2018 saw wounds healed as Boreham Wood were defeated, but just what will 2019 have in store for the Whites?
No matter what the outcome is at the end of the season, pride should be the overriding emotion.
Tranmere have done what not many imagined was possible all the way back in August: they have gone toe-to-toe with the big-hitters of the division, refused to let their newcomers status restrain progress and have shown just what is achievable with the appropriate mentality, team-spirit and game application.
Jake Caprice on why Tranmere are not giving up on promotion dream
