Tranmere Rovers
Southend United v Tranmere Rovers: Match Preview
By Louise Formston
April 9 2015
Our new Match Preview writer Louise Formston takes a look ahead to Saturday's away trip to Southend United.......
With the games coming very quickly now Tranmere head south this weekend to taken on Southend United hoping to pick up all three points. With Rovers still occupying one of the relegation places, just one point from safety, fifth placed Southend will be a difficult task for a struggling Rovers side.
Form Guide:
Tranmere’s last away game saw them draw 2-2 with promotion chasing Stevenage whilst before that they managed all three points against a struggling Cambridge side. Admittedly these reasonably solid results came after a run of four losses on the road. Southend however, will head into the game following a 1-0 away win over Hartlepool United on Monday and will be looking to ensure that a playoff place is secure. With nine home wins and only three losses this season Southend at home is a tough fixture, especially when compared with Tranmere’s four wins and eight losses on the road.
Previous Meeting:
The last meeting between these two sides came in November at Prenton Park with Rovers coming off second best in a 2-1 loss. An own goal from Tranmere loanee Will Aimson and a Jack Payne tap-in meant Rovers were two down before half time. However a Max Power penalty closed the gap in the second half after Fenelon was brought down in the box but Rovers could not find the equaliser. Interestingly to note, the Southend game was the last that Brezovan played in before his recent stint in the Tranmere goal. Following the defeat, Tranmere then went on a six game unbeaten run.
Injuries and Suspensions:
Tranmere will head into the game against Southend with a similar looking squad to the one that faced Luton on Monday, but with the additions of Josh Thompson and Cole Stockton who are reportedly set to return to fitness this weekend. Matt Hill also came one step closer to returning to first team football this week as he completed ninety minutes for the Reserves on Wednesday. Perhaps most importantly for Tranmere fans will be whether or not Max Power returns to the side following his collapse during the game against Luton.
Although Power himself has confirmed via social media he is feeling much better following a night in hospital, it remains to be seen if the medical team at Prenton Park will take another risk and play him. Dan Gardner caused quite a stir amongst Rovers fans on social media this week, as he appeared to have played in Chesterfield’s 1-0 win over Crewe on Monday despite Rovers fans being led to believe he was on loan with us until the end of the season. I think it’s safe to say he won’t be a feature of Rovers’ squad on Saturday. For Southend, Goalkeeper Dan Bentley appeared to have broken his nose during the second half of United’s game against Hartlepool on Monday and despite continuing to play the ninety minutes, is a doubt for Saturday’s game.
Max Power may be unavailable for Rovers on Saturday following his on-field collapse on Monday
The Opposition Dugout:
Phil Brown is the man currently tasked with taking Southend to League One. Having had a fairly successful playing career, making over 600 league appearances for Bolton, Blackpool and Hartlepool amongst others before trying his hand at management. His first job came as caretaker manager at Bolton Wanderers before becoming assistant manager at the club for Sam Allardyce. Brown then moved to Derby where he spent seven months in charge before being sacked after defeats to Coventry and Colchester. Following a short spell out of football, Brown was appointed first-team coach at Hull City in 2006 before eventually taking over as manager after leading Hull out of the relegation zone and onto promotion to the Premier League the next season.
However following a tough few seasons in the Premier League marred by improper conduct charges and defeats Brown left the Tigers in March 2010. After another spell out of football, Brown took over at Preston North End in January 2011 but was unable to stop them being relegated from the Championship. Although Preston lost the first game of the League One season, they went on an unbeaten run that saw them second in the League before key players suffered injury and North End dropped to tenth within weeks. This drop in form saw Brown leave the club in December 2011. Brown spent more time out of the game before Southend came calling with Brown being appointed manager in March 2013 where he has remained ever since.
One To Watch:
Barry Corr (Ireland) - 30
Southend Striker Barry Corr is this week’s one to watch. Having scored 13 goals already this season in 36 appearances, a lot of his goals have come in the second half of the season. Despite this he remains Southend’s top scorer by some margin. Corr started his career at Leeds before moving to Sheffield Wednesday after making no appearances at Elland Road. His two years at Wednesday saw loans to Bristol City and Swindon town before in 2007 he made the move to Swindon permanent.
After two years at Swindon making only a handful of appearances and scoring even fewer goals Corr made the move to Exeter City where he remained until 2010 making 34 appearances and scoring just 3 goals. In 2010, Corr was reunited with Wednesday manager Paul Sturrock as he signed for Southend and in his first season scored 21 goals for the club. He then spent much of the following season out through injury before returning in 2013 and signing a two-year deal under new manager Phil Brown.
He is Southend’s highest scorer in history and is showing no signs of stopping with his last goal coming against Mansfield on Good Friday. Corr is over six foot and seems to do best when he’s receiving crosses from wingers David Worrall or Kevan Hurst. Having mostly played upfront this season with Joe Piggot, the best way of stopping Corr from scoring appears to be isolating him and stopping the service to him.
Around The League:
Cambridge vs Accrington: With both teams winning on Monday, this game will inevitably have been targeted as a chance to build on form. Cambridge are not yet safe from relegation and will be keen to gain points as quickly as possible whilst a loss for Stanley would see Cambridge leap-frog them in the table.
Carlisle vs Dag & Red: Carlisle head into this game following a 3-1 loss to Stanley last week whilst Dagenham managed a 4-0 win over Wimbledon. A loss for Carlisle could see them drop into the relegation zone depending on scores elsewhere whilst Dagenham will be looking to finish the season strongly in mid-table.
Plymouth vs Mansfield: A few weeks ago Mansfield were looking safe but a run of bad form has left them hovering not far above the relegation zone. Both teams lost on Monday so will be looking to grab that all-important win with Plymouth still in with a chance of playoffs.
Wycombe vs Cheltenham: Wycombe suffered defeat against Burton last weekend so will be keen to show that was a one-off as they try to put space between them and the chasing playoff pack. Cheltenham need wins, sitting bottom of the table a change of manager has so far not been enough to kick start their survival battle.
York vs Hartlepool: Possibly the most interesting game this Saturday as far as Rovers go. A win for Hartlepool, whose unbeaten run came to an end at the hands of Southend last weekend, could put them out of reach for those still looking for safety whilst a win for York and good results elsewhere could see Hartlepool drop back into the relegation zone.
My Starting XI:
My starting XI is simple this week – play our players in their right positions. Having a good right back on the bench whilst you play another fairly decent right back out of position and a centre back at right back is managerial-nonsense. Preferences and opinions aside, a relegation battle calls for all players to be comfortable where they are playing in order to play their best. For a keeper, I’m not too bothered. Brezovan did well on Monday and was unlucky that none of our players followed in after his penalty save but I do feel Fon Williams has had a solid season given what he has in front of him and its perhaps unfair to leave him on the bench.
Up front, it’s getting harder. With Hume returning to the squad he has the footballing brain to make the runs that George Green is looking to provide for. However, Donnelly remains our second top scorer in the league despite spending the last few months either on the bench or out on the wing and Odejayi provides another option. Our midfield did well first half on Monday then all but disappeared in the second, potentially something to do with the loss of Max Power. Since Green’s appearance in the side, Power appears to have upped his game and played well first half Monday, I don’t think anyone noticed he was ill until his collapse. Jennings had his best game for a while and is a guaranteed starter on Saturday but struggled when left to do it alone after Power was subbed off.
Digg
Delicious
Facebook
Reddit
Stumbleupon
09/04/2015 18:44
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Perhaps Micky Adams could tell the players instead of a win bonus they'll all get cod and chips instead.
On second thoughts maybe not, Tranmere don't want to be fattened up and have to play Bury needing 3 points to guarantee survival and get whooped, because they'd be carrying a few extra pounds of unwanted fat and retained water.
Then I ate his Liver.......... with some baked beans and a can of coke.
