Fleetwood draw can be catalyst for survival, new Tranmere boss Pete Wild says

New Tranmere boss Pete Wild wants his side to use a goalless draw with Fleetwood as a catalyst to stay in League Two.

Rovers picked up their first point in six games after their shutout at Highbury.

It was Wild’s first game in charge of the club, ironically at Fleetwood – who sacked him earlier this season.

Wild said: “It’s a massive thing to keep a clean sheet. I just went into the dressing room and asked when the last time that happened was.

“I made it clear on Tuesday that this week was about stopping the rot.

“It was about giving ourselves a platform to build on, give ourselves something to hold on to and give the fans something to grab on to.

“Don’t get me wrong, there are a million things that could be better, but we’ve had three days and concentrated on defending our own box.

“As a team I thought we were outstanding at defending our own box, tracking runners.

“They had two shots the whole game, they had loads of possession. They’ve had a shot in the first half which Marko’s [Marosi] has made a good save from and they’ve hit the bar.

“In terms of defensively, we’ve ticked the box. That gives us something to push on from.

“Don’t judge this as Pete Wild’s philosophy. It’s about getting points on the board.

“We’ve got to get points on the board and got one here today. The last time we got points on the road was Harrogate away three months ago, so I’m pleased.”

Interim Fleetwood boss Matt Lawlor, who took over after Wild’s departure, was keen to take the positives despite a game which lacked lustre.

He said: “We had the lion’s share of possession, masses amounts of crosses, masses amounts of final third play, but they made it difficult for us.

“It’s frustrating but we’re eight unbeaten. If we do that more times than not with the performance, then we’ll win a lot of games.

“I think I can help this group of players.

“If one of those blocks, etc, goes in then we go on and win the game because our defence obviously had very little to do.

“My whole theory on football is exciting football. But when there’s 11 men behind the ball, what can you do? It’s difficult to produce that.

“I don’t want pointless possession, I want possession with a purpose.

“It’s hard to get in behind when teams are deep, but we still hit chances, we hit the bar.

“If we play like that we’ll win a lot of games of football, so I’ve got to take that.”