TRANMERE Rovers boss Nigel Adkins has been putting his squad through their paces on the freezing cold Wirral coastline as they look to recover their form. 

After a resurgence before Christmas that saw them win four consecutive League Two games, Rovers have fallen to consecutive defeats away at Barrow and to MK Dons at Prenton Park on Saturday. 

Adkins is hoping that the losses are a blip in his efforts to drag Rovers away from the bottom of the table and towards safety. 

"What a stunning day," said Adkins after the side returned from training on the beach. "The Wirral is a beautiful place to be - we're so lucky and we've got to appreciate it. 

"The pitch was frozen and it was even treacherous walking in the paths but we managed to find an area on the beach after a recce. 

"The scenery was stunning with the Welsh mountains in the background and it was about having different stimulus and having a bit if fun as well as some technical work."

Adkins admitted he was disappointed with the performance against MK Dons that saw Rovers lose 2-1 to the visitors. 

"We weren't at the level we needed to be at," he said. "But you have to give the opposition a lot of credit - they are in excellent form and they were exceptional in how they played.

"Our performance wasn't what we wanted but you learn by failure as long as you reflect on it and we have had some really open dialogue with everyone taking responsibility.

"We've lost in the 96th minute to a set piece and on another day it could have been a totally different story."

Adkins is not afraid to reveal how he wants Rovers to play with his side's pressing style already having reaped benefits during the December run of games.

"Wherever you are on the pitch you need a compact shape in order to press aggressively," he said. "Make sure you have a compact shape so whoever has the ball you get after them and you're not going on your own.

"Some teams are playing very expansive football and there are a lot of goals but we've been doing well on the counter attack so if they are open we can get at them. 

"I watch a lot of Premier League games and if you look at Tottenham against Manchester United at Old Trafford the other night, United couldn't get near Spurs and they're playing at home in front of 80,000 people and they're dropping off and dropping off on the edge of their own box just to stay in the game so there are different ways of doing it.

"But for me we're not going to lose our identity as a pressing side. I want to get after teams but the other day was a great opportunity to go and learn because it was a big challenge."

Tranmere travel to Swindon Town just days after the Robins sacked manager Michael Flynn with the side 15th in the table and having won just three of their past 15 matches, losing 10 of them.

"They've made a change which is a shame because you don't want to see managers lose their jobs," said Adkins. "There's a way they want to go and play and recruit and whoever they bring in they will be looking for a bounce because players probably up their game a bit more.

"From our point of view we've got an idea of what they're going to do but we've got an identity and we know what we want to go and do. 

"Fortunately we've now won some games away from home so we shouldn't go anywhere with fear. We'll go down there knowing it'll be a tough game but all the games in this division are."

One massive bonus for Adkins has been the capture of Rob Apter on loan from Blackpool for the remainder of the season.

"I'm delighted and I'm really pleased that Robbie has come in," added Adkins. "He wants to be here and he's exciting to watch. 

"As a fan you want him to get the ball and get on with it and get you off the edge of your seat. 

"I keep saying to the players 'it's special to play for Tranmere' and we've got to make it special - when we've all finished you want to look back and think 'those were special times' and you want to make it special for the fans who are paying hard-earned cash to come.

"They want to be entertained and know that you are going to run for the shirt and do everything you can to win a game of football. Make that two hours special for people and that's what I try and keep emphasising to everyone."