A look ahead to Rovers' second game of the Bank Holiday weekend as they travel to Solihull Moors on Monday afternoon...
At 16.35 yesterday, somewhere in Birkenhead, all the toys were out of the pram and I had resigned from penning this preview ever again. 8 minutes later, my six year old son was about to go crowd surfing as the ecstasy of a last minute equaliser was in full flow. These highs and lows that a football fan endures are hard to replicate in any other sport.
However, the dust has to settle quickly (and I do have to write this) as another fixture looms in the demanding National League calendar - a 110 mile trip to Damson Park to face Solihull Moors.
Team news is a bit sketchy with such a short turn around between games but there is information to share from the Rovers side. It appears that both Jack Dunn and Elliot Rokka will both be available for selection tomorrow and no injuries seem to have arisen from the game Boreham Wood. Suggestions on social media are that changes are due to be made to the starting line up but we will have to wait and see on that one. We will certainly have to wait until 3 o'clock to find out the team Solihull will put out.
Moors will arrive at the ground cock a hoop after their first win of the season away at Torquay yesterday, and will be relishing the chance to open their home account. The official Tranmere website preview (it's not bad) has identified former Birmingham City youngster, Jermaine Hylton, as one to watch. But I don't agree. 35 year old Nathan Vaughan could be the danger man as his long range effort from inside his own half turned out to be the winner at Plainmoor. Did I mention that he was the goalie???
Now comes what has started to be the really hard part of the match preview, the predictions. Solihull have started the season in a slightly more rubbish fashion than we have with just one win and a draw to their name. The bookies think blah blah blah......
Sorry, but I have interrupted this preview to add a dose of realism to proceedings. Match odds, past meetings (we won 3-0 there last season) and even current form all mean nothing when the three points get awarded for scoring the most goals. William Hill and his mates may very well make them odds on to go down and Rovers odds on to win tomorrow but that means nothing when the whistle is blown. The only thoughts in the Solihull ranks will be how to beat us and nothing else. It's up to those boys in white who are selected to play for our great club to sow seeds of doubt in midlanders hearts, so we can just experience just the highs this time.
mini_andy A big 0-4. I'll be with my little lad in his full pink kit, stood at the front, with him moaning he's tired, probably from before kick off!
Good luck with that one mini_andy; been there and done that! My son and I wanted to go , but I'm under orders from my Mrs to go on a family narrow boat trip and BBQ so won't be there (I'd like to drown Rosie and Jim!!). I think the turnaround on Saturday will stand us in good stead; going for a 2-0 victory.
Good on you mini Andy. Took my youngest to Wembley and he swore he would never go again. Took him to Eastleigh (we live down south) and he is now saying one more chance!
They'll be fired up after the 9-0 a few months ago and they'll also know we're under more pressure than them in this game. We should still win comfortably but I'd take a 1-0 win and a decent performance right now.
Ok lets see us play with some urgency this time from the off and give Solihull no doubts about who the better team is, press high and get the ball in the box feed the strikers and they will score,
cmon rovers
Jack of all Trades I will be interested to hear comments from people who went regarding overall performance.
Hopefully the start of a serious run of form, four points off top and two home games to come.
Jack of all Trades I will be interested to hear comments from people who went regarding overall performance.
Hopefully the start of a serious run of form, four points off top and two home games to come.
Anyone know why Pilling not on bench? Injured I assume but thought MM had said everyone was fit on Thursday?
Wasn't able to make today's game but from listening to Wirral Radio we were better though they missed a gilt edged chance I heard at 0-1. TBH even 2 against Solihull is only acceptable - hopefully however this will light the fires and confidence will return. Only slight disappointment aside from not giving them the promised pasting MM mentioned someone will get soon is when we went 2 -0 we didn't give Waring 10 minutes.
Onwards and upwards!
It wasn't the best game, but it was s hot day, so the players were using the regular stoppages for drinks breaks. We were never in danger of conceding, yet we could have scored 5 on another day
It seemed like now pre-season is over, the players are getting to know each other and what they're meant to be doing out there. Yes it could hs we been better, Norwood missed his regular one-on-one but hey-ho. Bring on Dover. It's looking like finally it's coming together.
Let's not get too carried away let's wait until the more challenging teams come before celebating to much, or the the dismal mood of everyone will be back again if we fail, but if we win 4 out ofthe next 6 we can start to celebrate and push on.
Jack of all Trades I will be interested to hear comments from people who went regarding overall performance.
Hopefully the start of a serious run of form, four points off top and two home games to come.
6 pts off top, jack.
Cheers HKR, I realized as soon as I posted and corrected myself, you were obviously quick off the mark.
The game was OK, in the first half there were not too many chances apart from the goal. Harris had a good game and was pressing their midfield all game, but he was to some extent alone in doing this, for me Norburn might look good while on the ball but does not press anywhere near enough when not in possession. In the second half we came into the game a little more and once Norwood and Jennings came on for Mangan and Norburn the performance improved a lot and many good chances were created, could have easily been 5 or 6. I don't recall Davis having anything to do and apart from one or two McEverly related moments the back line looked very solid, McNulty had a good game.
mini_andy It wasn't the best game, but it was s hot day, so the players were using the regular stoppages for drinks breaks. We were never in danger of conceding, yet we could have scored 5 on another day
+1. It was boiling hot ,yet the Solihull stewards would not let us sit in the same stand as last year despite the fact that it was just outside the away bar and there was loads of room in there. As I am fair skinned,I wasn't particularly impressed. Not bothered about the security checks coming in but steward number 7 was a bit zealous[in the stand area] even if he was only doing what he was told to do.
We allowed them to play their way rather than our way for the first 70 minutes. Norburn did what the midfield should be doing far more often for his goal.He burst forward into space giving Cook great support for once-great pass from Andy, fine finish from Olly.
Even though they didn't look like scoring,they were still in the game till the three subs came on.We were much the better team after that playing it on the ground more. Their keeper made an outstanding save from Norwood shortly before Cook scored and Jennings was very unlucky not to score near the end.
I thought mangan put on one hell of a shift today, chasing everything down. He was clearly knackered when he came off (a needed change). Norburn took his goal really well, ran the length of the pitch to support cook who did brilliantly.
The chances we could have scored:
1) Cook in the first half when Hughes ran though their defence.
2) Mangans bullet header
3) Norwoods 1 on1
4) Jennings shot from the corner
5) Buxtons 1 on 1
Then there wasabout 5 more half chances, that on another day.......
All in all, a good day out in the sun.
Any news on Norburn? Pulled up randomly and went straight off.
mini_andy I thought mangan put on one hell of a shift today, chasing everything down. He was clearly knackered when he came off (a needed change). Norburn took his goal really well, ran the length of the pitch to support cook who did brilliantly.
The chances we could have scored:
1) Cook in the first half when Hughes ran though their defence.
2) Mangans bullet header
3) Norwoods 1 on1
4) Jennings shot from the corner
5) Buxtons 1 on 1
Then there wasabout 5 more half chances, that on another day.......
All in all, a good day out in the sun.
Any news on Norburn? Pulled up randomly and went straight off.
Norwood's wasn't a one on one -it was a jinking run where he beat a couple of their players-the keeper then made an outstanding save.
I think Norburn's got a slight calf injury-MM didn't seem too concerbned about it when he was asked about it in his interview. Reckoned that fatigue might be part of it which,considering how hot it was,is not unduly surprising.
Great result today and important to get a result you can kick on with. Cook underlining his importance with a third goal for the season and Norburn is showing he could be a key part of the season and a good backup player for goals. If he scores at this rate it'll be around 12-13 league goals a season, but it's still early doors so he shouldn't feel too much pressure right now to support the front line selections.
Hopefully Tranmere can win the next one and kick on as they're only 2 points off the playoffs, so this is the time for a possible revival of fortunes and if Lincoln did it, then Tranmere just as well.
Then I ate his Liver.......... with some baked beans and a can of coke.
After Saturday, found plenty of reasons not to go to Solihull on Monday. Even de-fleaing the cat seemed a more pleasurable use of my time. Delighted with the result yesterday and that we have gone back to 3-5-2. Think it would have produced a win on Saturday with Buxton Harris & Cooke.
Better ,but against a poor side .this season is going to be the toughest yet not just the usual suspects to contend with but Leyton Orient starting to find there way .and the teams we never thought about doing well and with 7 in the mix any team can come out the woodwork and pinch that second place .its going to need luck to get out this League anyone can beat anyone more so this season. we are not good enough to win it so it's going to be a tough season
Fiftyyearsarover Better ,but against a poor side .this season is going to be the toughest yet not just the usual suspects to contend with but Leyton Orient starting to find there way .and the teams we never thought about doing well and with 7 in the mix any team can come out the woodwork and pinch that second place .its going to need luck to get out this League anyone can beat anyone more so this season. we are not good enough to win it so it's going to be a tough season
Not good enough to win it ! Presumably this is based on our shaky start when we should have collected more points. But we are still in August.
Nothing is won or lost in August! Cheer up.
No ,not based on early results just what I believe and I will be proved right end of season ,but hey we could be the team to come out the woodwork and get the second spot ..
Hoots mentioned the stewards who where all extremely courteous and helpful, except that after entering our 'end' my two mates who had thrown their ticket stubs away werent allowed in the bar...
acc928 Hoots mentioned the stewards who where all extremely courteous and helpful, except that after entering our 'end' my two mates who had thrown their ticket stubs away werent allowed in the bar...
Yes they were courteous but had obviously been told to rigidly enforce different guidelines from last year. The stand that we sat in last season having a good laugh/rapport with Solihull fans was deemed to be not available for us to sit in[out of the baking sun] despite the fact it was half empty and right in front of the away fans bar. I originally sat in there about 2-15 and a couple of minutes later was turfed out by steward number 7 and his mate. About 20 minutes later ,I went to go into into the bar area to see if some friends were there and to spend a penny and,on my way in,I was asked by the same steward who had turfed me out to produce my ticket again!! I know he was probably only doing what he was told to do but there was no need to be so zealous when he obviously recognised me. At half time I mentioned that due to these new rules,we were all frying in the sun in an open stand.He just looked at me as if I had a third eye and basically ignored me.
Solihull was my favourite awayday last season because we were treated so well. The off the pitch experience yesterday left something to be desired. It was just unnecessary.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2017:08:29:23:11:34 by Hoots Mon.
Fair enough Matt 34 ,buntings and fanfare not expected .😃 It gives me no pleasure being the resident gloom merchant .i just get a feeling about the team and just say what I foresee not been wrong last 2seasons hope I am this ,but
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