ANTHONY Elding insists there is nothing wrong with his attitude as he prepares to lay claim to a starting place again at Tranmere tonight.

Elding re-emerged during Tuesday's demoralising defeat at Yeovil with a lively display from the bench.

Crewe's summer capture from Leeds had dropped off the radar after his early burst of goals dried up.

He also had to issue an apology to fans when he over-reacted to being hauled off in the 2-0 home win against Colchester. Elding demonstrated his displeasure at Steve Holland's decision by sitting by the corner flag.

But the former Stockport striker stresses his relationship with his manager is good ... and reveals how he has been putting in extra hours on the training ground to win back his starting place.

"People who know me will know there is not a problem with my attitude. I am fully committed to Crewe and to my job," declared Elding.

"To me this is the best job in the world and I have come to Crewe to try to win something.

"I was just a number at Leeds, but have had this opportunity to come here and play.

"Hopefully I can get back in the team, put in some good performances and do what I know I can do ... score plenty of goals."

Elding opened with plenty of promise by scoring three times in Crewe's opening games to clearly demonstrate the clinical touch which helped him to a haul of 26 in 45 starts for County.

But he has failed to register since the August 26 Carling Cup victory over Bristol City, and after his protest against Colchester he found himself confined to the bench, apart from one game against Northampton.

The fierce competition for places up front after the summer influx of forwards has enabled Holland to chop and change, but he has failed to discover his optimum frontline combination.

With Elding poised to link up with Clayton Donaldson against Rovers there is perhaps a strong argument to be made for the coach settling on a pairing and giving them a run.

So far he has tried out no fewer than six different striking combinations, but Crewe's form has progressively deteriorated. Elding continued: "Steve has tried to change it around and get the right combination up there. I think it is fair to say the right combination hasn't been put out yet, but that's not to say it is his or anybody else's fault. Steve is trying all sorts of things at the moment and I feel for him. It is a tough time for him. He has spent a lot of money on a lot of players, plenty of strikers, and I think it is fair to say we're not really doing it. But we know if we can do what we are capable of doing then it will be fine.

"I always think it is positive if you've got plenty of strikers in your squad because if one isn't performing then the other one can come in. Even with players injured we can have four forwards – two on the pitch and two on the bench.

"You can look at in different ways. If we can get the strikers doing what they were brought here to do then it's a positive for the club."

Elding's experience of being cast aside at Elland Road should have stood him in good stead. Snapped up by outgoing Leeds boss Dennis Wise, the Boston-born player found himself a victim of circumstances as the in-coming Gary McAllister made it clear he wasn't part of his plans.

But Holland, pictured right, has re-assured Elding there is no question of him being ignored at Gresty Road.

"Steve has told me to keep my head down and work hard. I try to get to the training ground an hour-and-a-half before everyone else and do my training. I'm doing plenty of fitness work on my own to try to get in the team," said Elding.

"That's all off my own bat, but it has been difficult as I am doing a lot of work without getting any rewards.

"To be fair to the boys who have been starting, they have been doing well. It's a team effort and the gaffer chose Clayton and Calvin over me on Tuesday. But I've got to keep my head up and keep working hard in training.

"I need to be patient and wait for my chance. Hopefully I did enough when I came on at Yeovil to be recalled.

"I definitely want the shirt. The reason I left Leeds was to come here and play as many games as possible."

Elding's introduction, along with Byron Moore, transformed a hitherto sorry showing at Huish Park.

Both players inspired a fight-back inside a purple five-minute spell when a two-goal deficit was levelled up. Yet Darren Way's late winner offered Yeovil their first win on home soil and condemned Crewe to the indignity of bottom spot in League One.

"It's frustrating as we worked hard all week and we went to Yeovil with a game plan. For it to be destroyed in the last few minutes was disheartening," said Elding.

"But we've got to keep going and try and keep out chins up.

"Yeovil's winner hit both posts and went in – we're not getting any luck at the moment.

"But the Tranmere game is coming around quickly and after losing on Tuesday it is good we get another game under our belts.

"We need to go there and get a result. Hopefully I made enough of an impact to get in at Tranmere."