Tranmere Rovers
Stevenage v Tranmere Rovers: Match Preview
By Louise Formston
April 2 2015
Our new Match Preview writer Louise Formston continues her writing debut as she takes a look ahead to the Good Friday away trip to face Stevenage.......
With the Bank Holiday weekend meaning a packed fixture list for many clubs, Tranmere will make the trip down south to Stevenage in their first of two games in four days. Rovers will be keen to build on their 1-1 draw to AFC Wimbledon last Saturday, and travel to the Lamex Stadium hoping to take three points off a Stevenage side who held Burton Albion to a draw on Monday night. A win for Tranmere could see them jump out of the relegation spots where they currently sit in 23rd place whilst all three points for Stevenage would place them just into the play-off places – depending on results elsewhere.
Form Guide:
Tranmere finished March having amassed just four points from six games whilst Stevenage gained a slightly better nine points in the same period. Stevenage’s home record is strong, boasting twelve wins so far this season and only five defeats - mostly notably is that both York and Oxford have beaten Stevenage at home this season. Tranmere, however have only four wins on the road, racking up a staggering eleven defeats in the process.
With Rovers’ last clean sheet on the road coming against Morecambe on the 11th January, it’s likely they will need to score two or more against a Stevenage side who are scoring an average of one goal a game this season. Despite the statistics suggesting that this is going to be an extremely hard game for Rovers, the draw against the Dons last week will have inevitably raised spirits and hopefully boosted confidence leading to a renewed energy within the side come Friday.
Previous Meeting:
The sides first met in League Two back in November where it finished a 2-2 draw. Stevenage went in 1-0 up at half time following a Michael Ihiekwe own goal before they doubled their lead shortly after the break. However a fight back from Rovers with goals from Jennings and Ihiekwe (this time in the right net), meant Rovers grabbed their share of the points and stayed unbeaten under Micky Adams.
Injuries and Suspensions:
A long injury list for Rovers is beginning to look a little shorter with Danny Holmes returning to the squad against Wimbledon as well as both Josh Thompson and Matt Hill featuring for the reserves mid-week. Although Friday may come a little too soon for Hill who is attempting to get match fit, the game could see Thompson return to the squad. Iain Hume also made the team sheet for the reserves notching a goal in the process, which following his substitute appearance last weekend suggests Micky now feels he’s ready to play his part in our relegation battle. It was revealed this week that Cole Stockton is back in training but is yet to join back up with the first team whilst there is still no news surrounding Danny Gardner’s injury.
Having played on Monday night on a very wet pitch, Stevenage will have had less time to recover ahead of Friday’s game so whilst their injury list is not quite as extensive as Tranmere’s, tiredness may play a part towards the end of game on Friday. However, Dean Parrett limped off in the second half against Burton following a strong challenge so its unknown if he’ll feature come Friday.
Danny Holmes could be in Contention for a Rovers Return at Stevenage
The Opposition Dugout:
For Rovers’ fans Graham Westley needs no introduction. A familiar face from League One, Westley brings with him both his reputation and his own brand of football back into League Two. Currently in his third spell at Stevenage, Westley has seen his club climb from non-league football right up to League One before dropping down to League Two and is on the brink of a play off spot this season. In 2012, Westley departed Stevenage to take on managing Preston North End (also in League One) where drama was far from being in short supply.
Following a loss in his first game in charge, it was revealed the players had found out the starting line up for the game via text in the early hours prior to kick off. The scandals for the Manager didn’t end there, with Westley claiming that his tactics had been leaked to Sheffield Wednesday following another defeat. Releasing 21 players at the end of the 2011-2012 season Westley set about making Preston his own. However by February 2013, Westley had been sacked and when March rolled around he had been reinstalled as Stevenage manager.
This 3rd spell at Stevenage has seen a relegation and a win rate of just 33%, however things are changing at Boro’. I watched the game against Burton (thank you Sky Sports!) and Stevenage were a world away from the physical team we’ve come to know in League One. Despite the conditions, they were keen to play the ball on the ground and pass it around, using their physicality only when necessary. Has the Westley brand of football been rebranded?
One to Watch:
Chris Day (English) - 39
In a change from the other two previews, this One to Watch is all about Stevenage keeper Chris Day. He was the standout player for me when I watched Burton versus Stevenage on Monday night. Having been at the club since 2008, he’s notched up over 250 appearances for the club. Starting his career at Tottenham Hotspur as a youth player before making the move to Palace then Watford. With Stevenage his home time club, it was only a matter of time before he made the move to the Lamex.
Starting the 2014-2015 season playing second fiddle to Sam Beasant (son of Dave Beasant – Dons, Newcastle, Southampton and Stevenage), Day soon moved up to first choice following injury to Beasant in September and has yet to relinquish his position in goal. Only beaten by a deflected own goal against Burton, Day made sure his team were never going to fall further than one goal behind and will prove tough to get past for Rovers on Friday.
Other notable Stevenage Players include Calvin Zola who signed for the club last summer following his release from Aberdeen. However, Zola has made only a handful of appearances this season and there is no guarantee Rovers fans will spot him on Friday. Former Rovers’ loanee Danny Johnson has since signed for Stevenage and found himself on the bench on Monday night so may make an appearance on Friday.
Around The League:
Cambridge vs Bury: A few weeks ago, Cambridge seemed relatively safe but failure to win on Friday could see them slide into a relegation battle. Bury on the other hand, are seven points away from the automatic promotion spots but will be keen to develop a solid run of form heading into the play offs.
Carlisle vs Portsmouth: Hovering just above the relegation spots, Carlisle are far from safe but they face a Pompey side who are short of form lately so whilst my heart says a Pompey win, I have a feeling Carlisle might be too much for them.
Newport vs Hartlepool: Hartlepool are on the verge of a completely possibly the greatest escape since Tranmere’s at Stockport in 2010. The resurgent Pools are showing no signs of slowing down as they travel to Newport. However the Welsh team are just inside the play off spots and won’t be looking to relinquish their position just yet.
York vs Cheltenham: Possibly the most important game as far as Rovers’ fans are concerned. A Cheltenham win could be catastrophic for Rovers should they fail to get anything from Stevenage, but with York just ahead of both sides, a York win would further the gap between safety and the drop. Maybe a draw here with both teams being docked points for fielding ineligible players is the best outcome all round?!
My Starting XI:
OFW
Donacien Thompson Ihiekwe Molyneux
Myrie-Williams Jennings Power Green
Odejayi Hume
Whilst Brezovan had a reasonably solid game against Wimbledon, I would like to see Owain Fon Williams retake his place in between the sticks. He’s been a consistent highlight of this season despite being regularly let down by those in front of him. Defence wise, Donacien has to retake his position at RB should Holmes not be fit. He is not comfortable at centre-back and it is a waste of Ihiekwe to stick him out wide when Danny Holmes is sat bench warming.
Left-back is more of an issue; I don’t rate either of Ridehalgh or Molyneux in this position but think they can both provide something going forward. With Ihiekwe back at centre-back he could potentially provide cover for either of Ridehalgh or Molyneux. The other centre-back position I hope to see occupied by Thompson in a best of a bad bunch move.
Midfield wise Green has to start. That debut was something else, and hopefully not a one off! Although I’d position him on the wing, I’d make sure he knows when attacking he has the freedom to move wherever, he was outstanding when he cut back inside on Saturday. Power seemed to up his game somewhat, possibly due to being outshone by Green first half whilst Jennings did a solid job mopping up in front of the defence every time Dons tried to play it along the floor.
Odejayi’s sheer size will be a bonus against a tough Stevenage side as he tends to draw defenders away allowing other players to take advantage of the space. Up front with him is harder, Donnelly has yet to rediscover his form but I’m not sure if Hume is fit enough for entire 90 minutes. So my plan would be to start one of them and sub the other on, however which way around to do it is anyone’s guess!
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02/04/2015 18:11
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