Tranmere Rovers
Match Preview: Tranmere Rovers v Guiseley
By Louis Formston
November 19 2015
As Tranmere prepare for their first home game in three weeks against Guiseley on Saturday afternoon, Louise Formston returns with her match preview ahead of the game.....
Despite it being almost the end of November, Rovers play their second game of the month this Saturday as they welcome Guiseley to Prenton Park. The game takes place on the club’s Women in Football Day and Rovers are pulling out the stop with former-white and current England international Jodie Taylor returning to Prenton Park whilst Natalie Quirke (BT Sport Presenter) and freestyler Liv Cooke will also be in attendance.
Form Guide:
With no previous meetings between Tranmere and Guiseley, it’s straight onto the form guide ahead of this game. Rovers’ form has dipped of late and they’ve found themselves sitting 12th in the table having lost four of their five league games (a 2-0 win away at Forest Green is the only exception there). Perhaps more of a concern is the fact that aside from the two goals against Forest Green, Tranmere haven’t actually scored in any of those four losses. Regardless of all that; Gary Brain has said this week that Rovers have the third best defensive record in the league - really? It doesn’t feel like it Gary!
Guiseley meanwhile sit just four places and four points behind Rovers despite having lost their last two games as well, conceding nine during those. In the last five games Guiseley have scored eight goals so whilst they’re conceding more than Rovers, they are at least scoring some in the process.
Injuries and Suspensions:
This weekend will see the return of Lois Maynard and Luke Pilling following their international call ups, hopefully coming back with some great experience! Mekki returned from injury last weekend to play a small part against Lincoln but Adam Dawson remains sidelined for a few more weeks as he works his way back to action. Guiseley will travel to Prenton Park with few injury concerns.
The Opposition Dugout:
Mark Bower is Guiseley’s current first team manager having taken the job in 2011 as caretaker manager. The 35-year old started his playing career as a defender for Bradford City, before moving to Darlington, Halifax Town and then settling at Guiseley in 2011, forming the backbone of their defence with Danny Ellis. Following the departure of Steve Kitterick, Bower took over as caretaker manager before the appointment was made permanent. Bower oversaw a late play off charge that season, but it ended in heartbreak for the Lions. However Bower’s first full season as manager saw Guiseley promoted to the National League after the Lions came down from 2-0 down in the Play-Off Final to win 3-2 against Chorley.
The One To Watch:
Guiseley’s top scorers are Adam Boyes and Liam Dickinson with four goals a piece so far this season. Liam Dickinson has only made eight appearances this season for Guiseley having signed last season from Stalybridge. Dickinson didn’t start his career at the basement end of the football pyramid, having signed for Derby for £700k from Stockport. However, after a series of loan spells out to Huddersfield, Blackpool and Leeds, Dickinson left Derby without making an appearance for the Rams.
The now 30-year old struggled to cement himself in any side, bouncing from team to team before he signed for Southend in 2011. Also amongst the ranks at Guiseley is Oli Johnson - a former Stockport County and Norwich City player. Johnson was signed to Norwich alongside Zak Whitbread currently playing for Shrewsbury. Johnson scored during his last visit to Prenton Park when he was on loan at Yeovil.
Over the last two weeks, Guiseley have also signed Oliver Norburn (formerly of Plymouth, Bristol Rovers and Leicester) as well as Torquay’s defender James Hurst who is available for Saturday’s game. Admittedly, Hurst has signed for the Lions following him being suspended from Torquay after a nightclub altercation - first Labadie now this, Torquay must be sick of suspending players!
Around The League:
Cheltenham vs Forest Green: Not only is this a top of the table, winner takes all clash; this is also a Gloucestershire derby. The game is set to be a goal fest with the winner coming out League leaders.
Chester vs Woking: Chester sit 13th in the table and are chasing down Rovers. They take on Woking who sit in 17th.
Gateshead vs Halifax: Tranmere sit just a point behind Gateshead in the table, who host bottom of the league Halifax - here’s hoping for a Halifax fight back!
Grimsby vs Eastleigh: Both of these sides are in play off positions and are aiming to gather as many points as possible as soon as possible.
My Starting XI:
I don’t envy Brabin this weekend - I honestly hate having to chose a team each week of late. I think our players have the capability to win this league, but for whatever reason they’re struggling to show it. Perhaps we should take note of the Premier League sides who employ psychologists to ensure their players are in the right frame of mind - would this rid Rovers of their inability to believe they can win?
Anyway the team - Scott Davies in goal - he commands his area more than I saw Turner do (albeit in his small spell!) and he’s done nothing to justify dropping him.
For our back four - Ritchie Sutton, Liam Hogan, Martin Riley and Matt Hill - I am not a fan of McNulty and so far I’ve yet to see him make the fee we paid for him seem worthwhile. I would also argue to see Mike Ihiekwe return to the side - he was an adequate right back and was making progress before suffering injury.
In Midfield - this is where it gets tricky. Without a doubt a Jay Harris and Lois Maynard in the centre - Jay is essential to break down play, whilst Maynard’s forward runs are ideal to help our forwards. Either side of them? Mekki and Ridehalgh - it’s well known that i’m not a Jackson fan and Dawson isn’t fit yet.
Up front - I would still say Andy Mangan and Gary T-F for the same reasons I said last week. Norwood is out of form (although aren’t they all?!) and I feel that Mangan would be putting away some of the chances that GTF provides Norwood.
I’m not a Brabin sympathiser but I am also not ready to call for his head. This game is a big one in terms of kick starting a season that has stalled as we head into the busy winter period but it is not a Win or Walk for Brabin. We’ve chopped and changed Managers too much in recent years and it’s done us absolutely no good. Having said that, I need to see a willingness to change and adapt from Brabin - currently both him and the players are not performing to a high enough standard.
Also apologies for such a late preview this week, I am a trainee teacher and this week has been full of observations, phonics and how to explain African Music to 5 year olds!
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19/11/2015 19:00
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I'd go with Harris Maynard and Mekki but not Ridehalgh. I'd actually put G-TF in midfield behind Mangan and Norwood.
Whilst Norwood has been poor lately I think we have to persevere with him .I'd definitely drop Jenno.
Quote:Inflatablebone
I'd have McNulty in for Riley , I think we need to see these two together but would have Sutton and Hill in there. Whilst Sutton isn't a right back he is a good defender and I think these four would be solid.
I'd go with Harris Maynard and Mekki but not Ridehalgh. I'd actually put G-TF in midfield behind Mangan and Norwood.
Whilst Norwood has been poor lately I think we have to persevere with him .I'd definitely drop Jenno.
Pretty much agree with all of that! Agree about Norwood and about McNulty/Hogan!
Davies
Maynard McNulty Hogan Hill
Mekki Harris Jennings Norwood
Taylor-Fletcher Mangan
Reasons: Maynard offers something different at RB, and hogan has been our best defender this season. Mekki is our best available winger, so needs to start.
I would play Norwood on the wing, it's not quiet working for him up top at the minute, and he spent most of his time at Forrest green on the wing, and is more attacking minded then Ridehaulgh
