Summer Transfers update

Last updated : 28 April 2008 By Matthew Jones
Michael Jones has been a very much underused player in his time at Tranmere Rovers, many of the Prenton Park faithful would argue.

The youngster, who turns 21 in August, made his full debut for Tranmere against Doncaster Rovers on the final day of the 2005/06 season, when Jason McAteer took charge of the team after they had escaped relegation. In this match, Jones thoroughly impressed. He wowed Tranmere fans with a Man of the Match performance, where the Tranmere number 21 showed good pace and skill, whilst he wasn't scared to take on and beat his man.

Since Ronnie Moore's arrival at the club though, Jones has struggled to even get a place on the substitutes bench, let alone a starting role at Prenton Park.

In the two seasons since his debut, Jones has made just twleve more appearances for the club, of which eight have come as a substitute. His solitary goal for the club came in March as he scored in Tranmere's 3-1 defeat at Oldham after replacing the injured Ian Goodison just before half time.

On Saturday, it emerged that the winger is likely to be leaving the club on a free-transfer. Although hardly surprising news, as the player, who played fourteen times and scored once in a three month loan spell at Shrewsbury last season, has been sparsely used by Ronnie Moore since his arrival, it will be dissapointing to most Tranmere fans should the player leave.

As somebody who regularly watches the reserves at home, and has done over the last three seasons, I've invariably been very impressed by Jones, who looks a class above many other players at that level.

He has a quick turn of pace, a good first touch and a very useful cross, all things that are certainly good attributes for a young winger. With Shuker and Davies both spending time out with injuries this season, most fans believed Jones might finally get a chance in the first team, but instead, Ronnie Moore opted to bring in Andy Taylor and Jennison Myrie-Williams, leaving Jones in the hands of Reserve Team manager Shaun Garnett.

Should Jones leave in the summer, as is expecting after news broke on Saturday, it will be a good move for the player as he looks to further his career at a place where he wil be allowed to show his true potential and ability in the first team, as opposed to being left to rot in the reserves, which he has disgracefully been doing for most of the last two years.

Tranmere Rovers Mad would like to wish the player all the best of luck and indeed it would be great to see him back at Prenton Park sometime, even if it isn't as a Tranmere player.

News also broke on Saturday that utility player Shane Sherriff could be set to join former club Leeds United in the summer on a free-transfer. Sherriff, who can play at left-back, centre-back or left-midfield, was watched by Leeds boss Gary McAllister on Saturday and put in an excellent performance, culminating in his assist for Antony Kay's goal in the second half.

The player joined the club in July 2006 and has gone on to make nearly 100 appearances, becoming a firm favourite of Ronnie Moore, although he has not been immune to critisism from certain quarters.

Should the player leave to Leeds, Rovers would probably be advised to keep Mike Jones as back-up for the wings, especially if Steve Davies fails to sign a new contract, but of course this looks unlikely, meaning Tranmere will certainly be in the transfer market for a winger this summer.

Tranmere Rovers Mad would like to express the best of luck and wishes to both players should they leave the club in the summer. Also, keep checking the website for latest news on player contracts and new signings through-out the summer months.