Moore hoping that silence proves golden for Millers

AMID the silence of a Wembley dressing room, Ronnie Moore knew what needed to be done.

Having watched his side fail to perform in the League Two play-off final, the summer would bring the first major shake-up of his return to Rotherham United.

But while seven of the men involved in the game have moved on, the crown jewel has yet to be prised away.

Striker Adam Le Fondre bagged 30 goals prompting talk of a summer move.

According to Moore, however, there has not even been a phone call for the striker's services.

Not all silences are bad news.

Whether Le Fondre is still a 'Miller' come the end of this month's transfer window remains to be seen.

His former manager, Mark Robins, now at Barnsley, is a huge admirer and Leeds United are still looking for a striker having lost Jermaine Beckford to Everton.

"I am surprised we have not had any offers but I am very happy," said Moore philosophically. "When a guy gets 30 goals, you think someone might have the cheek to ask – even someone from your own league – but I have not even had a phone call.

"To be fair, we have a strong chairman who wouldn't sell him for any less than we think he's worth and I would want 3m – but it comes down to who the club are and what level they are at."

Reassuringly for Moore, Le Fondre signed a three-year deal with the Millers last summer and has not expressed any desire to leave.

"If there was any sincere interest out there, I am sure we would have heard about it by now," says Moore.

"A lot of clubs will probably sit and wait and see how he does this season.

"Nobody has come to me saying they want to leave the club and, if they do, you have to think about it, but it hasn't happened. I don't see Alfie going – not in the near future anyway."

Midfielder Nicky Law, the subject of interest from Blackpool last season, is another player that Moore does not want to lose.

As a teenager, Law played in the Premier League for Sheffield United but, at 22, is now approaching a make or break stage in his career.

"People say Nicky should be playing at a higher level but he's got to be more consistent in his play," stressed Moore.

"Without criticising, I know there is an awful lot of talent inside the lad.

"He has got the quality to play at Championship level but whether he will play there or not is down to his desire. He can be whatever he wants to be – but sometimes I wonder if it hurts him enough when he doesn't play particularly well."

Moore admits that the pain of the play-off final defeat put a major dampener on his summer but is confident that the club will avoid any 'hangover' and challenge for automatic promotion this season.

"People sometimes say that footballers 'don't care' but they should have been in our dressing room at Wembley after the game. It was the first time in my career that I have never had to say a word. Heads were down, it was like someone had just died.

"It still sticks in my throat and will always be in the back of my mind until the day I die but you can't let it affect you," he added. "I have not banned the word but no-one has mentioned 'Wembley' since we have been back training and, hopefully, that experience will spur us on this season."

Reflecting on the summer surgery of his squad, Moore says: "We needed to change things around. We had 26 or 27 players last season and they were clones of each other really!

"I have changed one or two things at the back and we have gone for a bit of strength and experience.

"We have brought in a few players who have played at the level above and I would still love to get another striker."

With both Tom Pope and Ryan Taylor ruled out by injury at the start of the season, Moore is weighing up a swoop for Nigerian striker Jeremiah Ani, 22, who has been on trial following spells in Malta, Portugal, and China.

Moore's target this season is simple – automatic promotion – and chairman Tony Stewart wants the club in League One or higher by the time the club's new stadium opens in summer 2012.

"It won't be easy but we have to make it happen," admits Moore. "The only time I have ever said that my ambition is to 'finish with 50 points' was when we were in the Championship. We are now in a position where, realistically, we have a chance of being in the top three."

INS AND OUTS

IN: Tom Elliott (Leeds United) pictured, Johnny Mullins (Stockport), Ryan Cresswell (undisc, Bury), Tom Newey (Bury), Marcus Marshall (Blackburn Rovers), Mark Bradley (Walsall), Luke Ashworth (Leyton Orient), Exodus Geohaghon (Peterborough).

OUT: Ian Sharps (Shrewsbury Town), Pablo Mills (Crawley Town), Drewe Broughton (Lincoln City), Mickey Cummins (Grimsby Town), Mark Lynch (Stockport County), Marc Joseph, David Haggerty (Eastwood Town), Andy Nicholas.

LAST SEASON: 5th, League Two (play-off final losers)

YP VERDICT: Top three. The stakes are even higher for the Millers this season as the clock ticks towards the opening of a new stadium. Manager Ronnie Moore is under pressure to win automatic promotion and a good start is imperative. Central to everything will be striker Adam Le Fondre. If sold, the club will need to invest the transfer fee wisely. If not, Le Fondre needs to repeat last season's goalscoring exploits. Moore has breathed new life into his squad this summer and there are plenty of reasons for optimism at Don Valley.