Tranmere boss Ronnie Moore has given his squad 'back to basics' training in an effort to iron out the mistakes of recent games, telling the Liverpool Echo: "The work ethic wasn't there on Friday night and that's what we have to put right. I'm looking for a massive reaction from the players.
"We are working in training on getting back to basics – closing the opposition down, stopping them playing and earning the right to play ourselves. We have gone away from that recently. Defending from the front is a big issue. The players up there have got to work harder to stop the opposition full backs getting out.
"The midfield players have got to concentrate on screening the back four. There were times when I felt we did not do that against Bristol Rovers. But if the centre backs are not winning headers, as ours weren't on Friday, the pitch becomes massive because we are on the back foot."
Moore admits the loss of captain Ian Goodison to suspension has seen a massive downturn in results. Since Goodison was dismissed at Crewe, the club have conceded nine goals in three and a quarter games: "I think the results speak for themselves in how much we have missed Ian.
"We have not won a game since he went out of the side. He has been an immense influence for us this season. It's not just the work Ian does himself that makes a difference. His presence makes other players around him perform better."
Goodison will be missing from tomorrow night's replay as the final game of his ban.