Tranmere Rovers
Carlisle Utd v Tranmere Rovers Match Preview
By Matthew Jones
September 3 2009
Ahead of Tranmere's trip north on Saturday to face Carlisle United at Brunton Park, Matthew Jones brings us all the pre-match build-up and information for a game which Rovers must win if they are to avoid losing further ground on the teams just above the relegation zone following recent results......
After a dismal start to the season, Tranmere Rovers take on Carlisle United at Brunton Park this weekend as they go in search of their first away win of the season.
Rovers take on a United side who themselves have yet to pick up a home league win this season, but John Barnes' side go into the game on the back of four straight defeats and having not scored in any of those games.
So with Rovers struggling for not only form but goals as well, it's crucial that Rovers can put in a display at least worthy of picking up a point, or even better, three, this weekend, as John Barnes and his side look to start winning the fans over.
Carilsle United Team Profile:
Formed: 1904
Ground: Brunton Park
Manager: Greg Abbot
Nickname: The Blues
Season finish 2007/08: 20th
Previous Meetings:
Tranmere Rovers completed an impressive double over Carlisle United last season when they beat the Blues 4-1 at Prenton Park in January.
After the first half of the match finished 0-0, Tranmere Rovers ran away with the show second half, following the inspired introduction of midfield Gareth Edds, who completely ran the show after replacing Antony Kay at half time.
Rovers took the lead on 49 minutes when Ian Moore scrambled home a corner, before Edds scored his first goal for Tranmere four minutes later with an excellent finish, firing home off the underside of the bar.
After Graham had pulled one back for United on the hour mark, scuffing Paul Thirwell's cross into the net, Tranmere restored their two goal cushion when Steven Jennings blasted home an Andy Taylor throw-in from 20 yards, firing a low shot in to the goal.
The scoring was completed on 77 minutes when Ian Moore scored his second goal of the match, a mangnificent curling effort from the edge of the area which left the Carlisle ‘keeper with no chance and gave Rovers a 4-1 victory.
Earlier in the season, Tranmere picked up their first away win of the season with a 2-1 victory on a very wet and windy day in the North West of England.
Torrential rain made playing conditions extremely hard for both sides, but it was Tranmere who came out on top and picked up an excellent three points after a superb, dominating display.
The game started brilliantly for Tranmere who took the lead after less than a minute when Ian Moore fired a deflected show home from outside the area.
Tranmere didn't get their second until the 80th minute when Ryan Shotton flicked a Moore cross over the goalkeeper when Carlisle failed to clear a corner properly, though Rovers had had numerous chances to increase their lead, with Kay and Sonko either finding the woodwork or the goalkeeper with their efforts.
Carlisle did pull one back in injury time when Danny Graham netted into an open goal at the far post, but it was too little, too late for United, who suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat.
Vital Stats:
Tranmere are unbeaten in their last four games against United, picking up four consecutive wins over the Cumbrian side
Rovers have lost just two of their last ten games against United (excluding penalty shoot out defeats)
In 34 trips to Carlisle, Tranmere have picked up nine wins and lost on sixteen occasions
Rovers have conceded 59 goals in their trips to Carlisle, scoring on 43 occasions
Tranmere have never achieved five successive wins over United
On This Day:
1992: Rovers draw 3-3 at Kenilworth Road against Luton Town in Division One
1988: A league cup game at Prenton Park between Tranmere and Stockport ends in a 1-1 draw
1987: Tranmere lose 2-0 at Scarborough in Division Four
Tranmere have played seventeen previous fixtures on this day, picking up six wins, two draws and nine defeats. They have scored 32 goals and conceded 28 on this day, though their last win on September 5th came in 1975.
The Form Book:
Tranmere last six games: LLLLWW
Carlisle last six games: DDWLWD
Tranmere's six game record coming into this match is abysmal, having lost their last four matches without even scoring a goal.
After a disappointing start to the season, which saw Tranmere lose 2-0 at Yeovil Town, they picked up successive wins at the start of their six match sequence, beating Grimsby Town 4-0 in the League Cup first round and then picking up their first league win of the season as they defeated Gillingham 4-2 at Prenton Park.
It's all been down hill since for John Barnes' side though, starting with a late 1-0 defeat at home to MK Dons, before Rovers lost 3-0 against Leeds United at Elland Road, putting in a dismal display as they failed to threaten their opponents at all.
A handful of days later, Tranmere were knocked out of the League Cup at the second round stage, as despite a promising display, they lost 1-0 at home to Bolton Wanderers, whilst in their most recent match, Tranmere put in an embarrassing display as they lost 4-0 at home to Charlon Athletic.
Rovers come into this game in 22nd place in Coca Cola League One, having played five games and picked up three points from an available fifteen, thanks to one win and five defeats. They have lost two out of two away games.
Like Tranmere Rovers, Carlisle United come into this game with just one league win to their name so far this season, but a further two draws from their opening two games see United lie two points above Tranmere in the table.
They started the season with a 3-1 defeat in the League to Brentford before beating Oldham 1-0 at Brunton Park in the League Cup first round, thanks to an 89th minute winner from Dobie.
Their six match sequence then started with a credible 0-0 draw at Millwall that was followed by an impressive 2-1 win at Stockport County, their only league win of the season to date, thanks to goals from Hurst and Anyinsah.
A 1-0 defeat at home to League One new boys Exeter then followed, though four days later United picked up an excellent win at Ashton Gate as they progressed to the third round of the League Cup thanks to a 2-0 win over Championship side Bristol City.
That however was their most recent win, as since Carlisle have picked up successive draws, firstly away at Leyton Orient in the League (2-2), before drawing 2-2 with Morecambe in the Johnstone's Paints Trophy, a match which United won on penalties.
Carlisle United have played three home games this season, picking up one win and two defeats. They have however lost two out of two home league matches.
United come into this game in sixteenth place in the League One table, having picked up five of an available fifteen points, thanks to one win, two draws and two defeats.
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03/09/2009 21:18
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