Simonsen wary of Moore’s effect on Tranmere

The 59-year-old former Rotherham chief took charge again of Tranmere Rovers on March 5 and has already inspired the club to an upturn in fortunes.

Two wins and a draw from Moore’s first three games have raised hopes Tranmere can stay in League One and Simonsen, who started his career at Prenton Park, admits the Blades must be on their guard.

The United goalkeeper said: “Tranmere gave me my chance in the game and I will always be grateful to them for that. I have a lot of affection for the club and I want to see them stay up.

“Ronnie knows everything about Tranmere so it is a pretty good appointment. He has had a positive effect already and I have no doubt that will continue through to the end of the season.

“We have got to be on our guard but if we play our game and do what we can do then I have no doubt we will have three points.”

After a stunning run that yielded 11 wins from 13 games in League One, the Blades have stumbled in recent weeks with the draw at Colchester United on Tuesday meaning Danny Wilson’s men have claimed seven points from their last six outings.

United still occupy the second automatic promotion place but Wilson said: “Sir Alex (Ferguson) always refers to this stage of the season as squeaky bum time.

“A lot of that is psychology on his part but he still does have a point if you are a team who have been getting good results but then, for some reason, they start to go against you. That can create a panic. But that is a time when, as a manager, you need to stay cool, calm and collected, and just carry on going about the job as you have done all season.

“You have got to be composed because that helps the players.

“In my opinion, there is nothing to be gained by going off at tangents and starting to rant and rave if that has not been your way previously.

“I would be all right trying to give the players here the hairdryer treatment – have you seen the size of some of my lads?” joked the Blades chief.

“Seriously, though, in situations like that you have just got to talk things through calmly and settle the players down.”

On today’s game, Wilson added: “We have got our philosophy on the way football should be played. But, at this stage of the season, it is all about results and getting as many points as possible as you enter the final straight.

“If it is a game against Tranmere for the purists then brilliant. But if it one for the Dog and Duck, I will settle for that, too, just so long as we win it.”