By Matthew Jones
September 10 2009

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Double Hit:

Released by Tranmere Rovers last summer, winger Eddrissa Sonko joined the Prenton Park outfit on a one-year deal from Walsall in July 2008.

Starting his career in Belgium with Anderlecht, Gambian born Sonko scored once in six appearances for the club, before joining Roda in 2000.  It was at Roda where the winger was most successful, as he scored 20 goals in 112 appearances for the club over a seven year period.

A brief stint at Skoda Xanthi, Greece, in 2007 was followed by Sonko's move to English football, as he joined Walsall on a one year contract.

A player who very much blew hot and cold for the Saddlers, Sonko could be brilliant on his day, but truly awful on other occasions.  He lasted just one season at the Bescott, as having scored five goals in thirty seven appearances, he was released.

That summer, Sonko joined Tranmere Rovers, again on a one year deal, and though his committed attitude and clear love of football endeared him to many of the Rovers fans, he was a hugely frustrating player.

He scored some key goals for Rovers, netting his first league goal for the club in a 2-1 win at Huddersfield Town, but he was released by Rovers last summer having scored five goals in thirty eight league games for the club.

Currently unattached, the Gambian international had pace to burn, but his first touch and crossing ability often let him down.  However, Sonko, now 29, was always committed and a hard worker, and as such won himself plenty of fans in English football.

Eddy Sonko Has Played for Both Walsall and Tranmere

One To Watch:

Northern Ireland winger Stephen Jones joined Walsall in the summer after being released from his contract by Premier League side Burnley, following their promotion to the top flight.

Born in Londonderry, Jones, who can also play in attack, started his career in English football with Blackpool, where he failed to make an appearance before joining Sligo Rovers and later Leigh Genesis, between 1999 and 2001.

Whilst at Leigh, Jones built himself a reputation for being a free scoring striker and, after netting 45 goals in 103 games for the non-League club, he joined Crewe Alexandra for a fee of £75,000 in 2001.

Initially, Jones failed to break into the first team at Gresty Road, but a loan spell at Rochdale saw his form progress, and the following season, Jones became a regular for Crewe, either up front or on the wing.

In five years with the Railwaymen, Jones made over 150 appearances and scored nearly 50 goals, making him an important player over the years for Dario Gradi's side.

However, after failing to agree a new contract in the summer of 2006, Jones joined Burnley on a free-transfer and remained at the club for the next three seasons.

Injury and form though hampered his first team opportunities at Turf Moor, and a loan spells at Crewe, Huddersfield and Bradford followed for Jones, who was released by Burnley in the summer, having made 64 appearances for the club, scoring six goals.

In the summer, Jones signed for Walsall, following a long list of players to join the club this summer, including former Millwall and Oldham striker Darren Byfield.

Joining on a free-transfer, Jones has so far made six appearances for the club, scoring once in the clubs 2-2 home draw with Southend United.

An explosive winger, the 32-year old has won twenty-one caps for his country, Northern Ireland, and scored one goal.

With pace and trickery the key to his game, Jones, who wears the number seven shirt for Walsall, likes to hug the touch line, beat his man and get crosses into the box.  He is a dangerous player when presented with a shooting opportunity.

Around League One:

The League One football this weekend kicks off on Friday night, when Southend United, currently twelfth in the table, host Leeds United.  With a 100% start to their name, Leeds will be able to top the table, at least until Saturday evening, with a win, jumping above Charlton Athletic.

Like Leeds, Charlton have a 100% ahead of the weekend's fixtures, their best ever start to a league season, and they will be hoping to extend that run over bottom of the table Southampton this weekend, with two of the three relegated sides meeting at the Valley.

Third placed Huddersfield, fresh from a 3-2 victory at Stadium MK last weekend, host eighth placed Brentford, whilst Bristol Rovers who are fourth entertain Oldham Athletic, who have picked up six points from their opening six games.

Fifth placed MK Dons host Norwich on Monday night in a game to be televised on Sky, whilst elsewhere Brighton travel to Carlisle and Wycombe have the long trip north to Hartlepool ahead of them.

Ash Taylor May Take the Place of the Now Departed Gavin Gunning

Team News:

John Barnes will have to make at least two changes to the Tranmere side that lost 3-0 at Carlisle United at the weekend, with Shay Logan suspended following his sending off, whilst Gavin Gunning has returned to Blackburn following his one month spell.

This should mean that Gareth Edds comes in at right-back, whilst either of Marlon Broomes or Ashton Taylor could replace Gunning at centre-back.

Bas Savage remains out for Rovers with an Achilles injury that will keep him out until February, though following his appearance for the reserves on Wednesday night, Kithson Bain is fit and available for selection.

Jones' Prediction:  Tranmere Rovers 0-0 Walsall

Things are looking woeful and hopeless for Tranmere at the moment, but things aren't looking much better for Walsall, who come into this fixture on the back of three successive 0-0 draws.

Neither side have scored in their last four outings, which suggests fans will not be in for a goal feast this weekend at Prenton Park, though with Tranmere's defence's recent history, anything is possible!

Tranmere come into the game with the worst defensive record in the division, having conceded a hugely depressing fifteen goals in their opening six matches, something that the absolutely must improve on if they are to stay up.

But most importantly, if Tranmere are to get anything out of this game, they should strengthen up in midfield.  Whilst McLaren and Welsh have been ineffective in the centre, Shuker and Mahon have been even poorer on the wings.

Barnes employs McLaren and Welsh as holding players who must sit back, and with such a tactic, it leaves Mahon and Shuker a lot of work to do going forward, a work load they've been unable to handle.

Tranmere must attack more, but currently, their tactics starve their strikers of chances, and with no chances, you won't score.

At least one of the central midfielders must be released, otherwise Tranmere will not progress.  After all, they say the best form of defence is attack...