At the start of last season, Rovers were hot on the striking situation. Eugene Dadi had scored 19 goals in the previous season, Simon Haworth was coming back to fitness and Iain Hume was getting better and better. Whilst Calvin Zola had been signed on a free transfer having been released by Newcastle United and had plenty of potential whilst Chris Dagnall was rising through the reserves and making himself known, as was the less successfull reserve player, Paul Robinson. So Tranmere effectively had six strikers, plus Gary Jones who could of course play in the Rovers front line and had scored ten goals + in the previosu season.
However, it all went pair shaped on the striking front mid season. Simon Haworth didn't fully recover from his broken leg. After making just three appearences, he was forced out again through the leg not proply healing, and has not played since - probably never will play again. Calvin Zola was forced out of the side and not permitted to play because of work permit and visa problems, whilst Paul Robinson was released after a successfull trial at Grimsby. Gary Jones was playing some of the poorest football in his carear, whilst Eugene Dadi was playing so bad that he couldn't even get in the first 16 sometimes. This left Rovers with just two strikers really. Iain Hume and Chris Dagnall. However, Paul Hall stepped forward and played an important roll up front for Rovers, ending the second highest goalscorer behind Iain Hume this season. Eugene Dadi also found some form from no-where, giving him a much better second half to the season.
Then in the twilight of the season, Gary Jones was released, as was Simon Haworth - still just three recognised strikers.
But now, Tranmere have Calvin Zola back and raring to go, whilst Chris Dagnall has another season to proove himself as the top-class finisher which got Arsenal and Manchester United intrested in him when he was just a young lad playing in the Tranmere youth teams. Iain Hume looks as if he will stay at Prenton Park (touch wood) for another season and Eugene Dadi has one year left on his contract to proove he is worth another one. Plus Paul Hall can play upfront should he be needed - so from this perspective, Tranmere do not need another striker.
However, what if Paul Hall leaves Rovers this summer? He is yet to agree a new contract with Tranmere and is expected to leave to either Bristol City, Walsall, Chesterfield or Brentford. That leaves Tranmere with only four strikers. Then what if one player gets suspended? It's noticable that all three of Eugene Dadi, Chris Dagnall and Iain Hume were suspended this season. The first two getting sent off in atleast one match. That leaves Rovers with three strikers. Supose another gets injured at the same time? That leaves Tranmere with just two strikers - no fresh legs to bring on up front (unless you count Ian Sharps!) if a player is on a booking or if Rovers are loosing and need to get the win, there is no striker to bring on if Rovers already have two up front.
Therefore, I come to the conclusion that Rovers really do need a new striker. Preferably a poacher and/or a target man who will score plenty of goals next season to help Tranmere to promotion (touch wood again!).
It has been rumoured that Luke Beckett is on his way to Prenton Park, he is just one of many options. David Johnson of Nottingham Forrest and Juan Ugarte of Wrexham have also been linked with Rovers. But as I said earlier, there are many possibilities if Little wants a new striker, which I hope he does, then lets hope he makes the right choice.