Parkes' striking concern

TONY Parkes headed for Tranmere today concerned that Blackburn Rovers' play-off ambitions could hinge on whether they can solve the scoring drought which continues to dog the club.

The Ewood boss has been patient with his four main strikers so far, though there were signs of his dis-satisfaction in the last home game when he made a straight two-for-two switch.

And Parkes stresses that he is equally worried about the team's failure as a whole to kill opposition sides off.

He also admitted the situation might force him into the transfer market with deadline day looming later this month.

Realistically, however, that must remain an outside bet unless the manager and his scouts can come up with a better striker than they already have and one who is available.

Money to buy someone is not the problem. But which clubs will sell at this stage of the season?

Team-mate Keith Gillespie believes his colleagues will come good again but time and games are starting to run out.

"We can't rely on strikers to score all the goals for us. We need everybody to contribute but we certainly need the strikers to help," said Parkes.

"It's a concern that, without their help, we don't score many goals.

"But it's also a concern in that we don't win by big scores. "As a team we don't seem to beat anybody well.

"It's usually going to be a 1-0 or a 2-1. I think we have scored three 'threes' this season, two in the Worthington Cup against Portsmouth and one against Bolton.

"So, when we are on top, we don't score the goals that kill the game off.

"And I think that's as big a concern as the strikers not scoring."

Just how long does Parkes keep faith in selecting from the four men who have filled those roles so far - Ashley Ward, Nathan Blake, Egil Ostenstad and Matt Jansen?

It has been stressed by the club on more than one occasion that money is available and Parkes readily agrees that he has the choice to buy if he thinks fit.

"I'll give them until we get a new one, if we decide to do that," said the manager.

"As I've said before, we are looking at all positions, including striker.

"But they aren't easy to get at this stage of the season. Nobody is really willing to let you have their best strikers and until that happens - if it does - then we have to be patient.

"It might go on to the end of the season, or until transfer deadline day. It's always been an option. There's always been money available but we have got four strikers and, if we do get another one in, we need to make sure that he is the right one.

"But it's not easy to get them and we are on the lookout for different positions, not just strikers."

Rovers have made ample chances in most games but have not been ruthless enough to make them count.

The 5-1 defeat at Barnsley was an extreme example of Rovers failing while the opposition succeeded in taking a large proportion of their chances. "We make quite a few chances and we don't score enough goals from them," added Parkes.

"But we're working on it and we hope it's going to turn very quickly.

"If we could put our finger on it we might be able to do something about it.

"I think Fulham have the same problem, they have four strikers and they have only scored 29 goals."

Gillespie, who scored his first of the season against West Brom last Saturday, reckons his team-mates will come good and will get it right.

"It's hard to put your finger on it but, if we keep creating the chances, we've got the players here who can convert them.

"Hopefully, we can all do our little bit. It's not just down to the strikers we all have to take responsibility.

"The strikers will all go through spells where they aren't scoring.

"But, with the strikers we have got at this club, we don't need to worry about scoring goals because I am sure they will start putting the chances away sooner, rather than later."

Welsh under-21 striker James Thomas was expected to travel to Tranmere with the squad today, following his two goals for the reserve side. But, with so many players available, he would find it hard to break into the 16.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.