Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere Rovers v Burton Albion: Match Preview
By Louise Formston
March 18 2015
Our new Match Preview writer Louise Formston makes her writing debut as she takes a look ahead to Saturday's home game against table-topping Burton Albion.......
Burton Albion come to Prenton Park sitting pretty at the top of League Two following two home games consisting of a comfortable 3-0 win over Accrington Stanley and a last gasp 2-1 win over promotion chasing Southend United on Wednesday night. Regardless of the result against Southend, Burton would have held on to their top spot heading into Saturday’s game. Tranmere, however will welcome the Brewers after a potentially confidence boosting trip to not quite safe from relegation Cambridge United, with Rovers currently sitting 22nd in the table with 37 points after the 2-1 midweek away win at Cambridge United.
Form Guide:
On the road this season Burton have amassed eight wins, five draws and five losses and when compared to Tranmere’s record of only five home wins this season, it’s not looking bright for Rovers. Tranmere have not kept a clean sheet since the 3-0 win over Accrington Stanley on January 17th whereas Burton had kept two clean sheets on the run since the end of February prior to Southend's goal on Wednesday. Tranmere’s win at Cambridge – made all the more significant when Jennings saw red and Rovers held on through six minutes of injury time – will have hopefully boosted their confidence.
Rovers seem to struggle in the short periods after conceding, often conceding again, but Tuesday proved that we can hold on, and we can come back. The loss of Jennings for Saturday’s squad is a difficult one. His form has been hit and miss lately but losing a captain is never ideal for a team so desperate for leaders. Whilst Burton have had a slightly patchy few games, they are top of the table for a reason. Perhaps Tranmere’s hope rests on a quote from Gary Rowett following Burton’s move to train at St George’s Park – “sometimes we get too used to good pitches”.
Injuries and Suspensions:
With Josh Thompson being subbed off in the first half against Cambridge with a head injury, its uncertain whether he will make a return to the starting XI on Saturday. Following his previous head injury he missed a game before sitting on the bench in the next game. Thompson will be a miss on Saturday, although he makes the odd mistake, he is still young and remains remarkably calm under pressure.
Danny Holmes is currently suffering with a knee injury
Danny Holmes has missed the last two games with a knee injury so has been experiencing life as a fan. Whilst I am a huge fan of Danny’s and think he’s a contender for Player of the Season (although don’t vote for him, he’ll only leave us), with Donacien back at the club, its less urgent for him to be rushed back.
Rob Taylor will most likely miss the game with a hamstring injury, as will Jason Koumas whilst Steve Jennings is set to spend a game in the stands following his red card against Cambridge.
Previous Meeting:
The previous meeting between the two sides on Boxing Day last year saw Burton comfortably take all three points in what was Tranmere’s only League defeat in December. Two first half goals (one a penalty) were enough to ensure the end of Tranmere’s unbeaten December but didn’t impact significantly as Tranmere went on to stay unbeaten for the entirety of January.
The Opposition Dugout:
Taking his place in the opposition dugout on Saturday will be none other than former Dutch international Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. Having played for Middlesborough, Atletico Madrid and Chelsea amongst others, Hasselbaink amassed 127 league appearances before retiring and turning his hand to management. Hasselbaink’s first appointment was in 2013 with Royal Antwerp in the Dutch Second Division, where he stayed for just a season guiding them to a seventh place finish.
In November 2014, following the departure of Gary Rowett to Birmingham City, Hasselbaink was named manager of Burton Albion, his first job in England. Beating off 59 other applicants for the job, Hasselbaink’s first training session didn’t go quite to plan, with his first choice keeper breaking a leg during a 50/50 tackle. Hasselbaink’s first game in charge started with a similar pattern; team coach stuck in traffic followed by a kit mix up meaning Burton played the 90 minutes in Wycombe’s spare socks. Despite this, Hasselbaink recorded his first three points in charge as Burton ran out 3-1 winners. Ever since, Burton have remained a constant at the top of the table and a successful first season in England looks certain for Mr Hasselbaink.
One to Watch:
Adam McGurk - Northern Irish (26)
Perhaps feeling unfairly treated at Rovers and never regaining form following a collapsed lung, McGurk signed for Burton in August 2013, going on to make 41 appearances in his first season, notching 12 goals in the process. This season McGurk has become a firm feature of the Burton squad yet again, acquiring 33 appearances in all competitions along with 6 goals and 2 assists. Taking on an attacking role in the matchday squad McGurk is allowed the freedom to make the runs as how he see’s fit and is definitely one to keep an eye on during the game at Saturday.
Adam McGurk is one of a number of former Rovers now at Burton
At Tranmere there were moments of brilliance with his crosses into the box and going off the current defence Micky Adam’s is playing around with, a McGurk assist may be a dead cert. Although we could hope he has an off day maybe? Other ex-Tranmere players set to make a return to Prenton Park include Lucas Akins, Robbie Weir and Shane Cansdell-Sherriff.
Although unlikely to feature, Marcus Holness made the trip the other way, joining Rovers last summer after a turning down a new deal at Burton. Holness made 53 appearances in his two-year spell at the Pirelli Stadium, which included a trip to the League Two Play-Off Final.
Around The League:
Other key games to keep an eye on during Saturday’s fixtures include:
Accrington Stanley v York City: York were the only team in the bottom five not to clock up any points on Tuesday night whilst Stanley held Wycombe to a draw.
Cheltenham Town v Exeter City: Both recording draws on Tuesday, Cheltenham’s failure to gain all three points has seen them drop into the relegation zone whilst Exeter remained in 11th after they failed to take advantage of Northampton’s loss to Carlisle. A win either way could close the gap at either end of the table.
Carlisle Utd v Morecambe: Carlisle took all three points against Northampton on Tuesday whilst Morecambe suffered a 4-1 home defeat to Shrewsbury. With Morecambe sitting in mid-table obscurity you could argue this game is all about Carlisle who with a win could climb to the dizzy heights of 18th in the table.
Hartlepool Utd v Mansfield Town: With Ronnie Moore working miracles at Hartlepool and Mansfield looking unlikely to be drawn into a relegation battle, this game is all about Hartlepool closing the gap on those above them.
My Starting XI:
Assuming Holmes and Taylor are still ruled out and no serious injury to Thompson....
OFW
Donacien Ihiekwe Thompson
Myrie-Williams Laird Power Ridehalgh.
Gardner
Odejayi Donnelly
To counteract Burton’s philosophy of playing it out from the back with a lot of movement in midfield, I suggest three strong defenders with defensive midfielders sat in front to add that little bit of protection. Play them at their own game with runners either side (Ridehalgh seems to do better going forward when he knows he’s not needed to track back constantly) and Gardner in the middle to play a role similar to Koumas.
Whilst Donnelly up front will hopefully see him return to the scoring for fun role that saw him win Player of the Month back in January whilst Odejayi provides an extra option and can hopefully hold up the play a little if we find ourselves pushed back and need a route out.
Disclaimer: This is my first attempt at a Match Preview. I welcome any feedback on bits you liked, you hated or you wanted to see!
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18/03/2015 21:45
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Personally I think it's a great first attempt! Thanks Louise!
Much love to you
“Physical reality is actually a mirror: Your physical reality is just a reflection of what you most strongly believe to be true. And like a mirror, physical reality will not change unless you change first”
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:03:19:08:54:35 by Shaumbra.
