Tranmere Rovers
We just have rumours for now
By Roy Anderson
May 24 2023
Play offs nearly sorted. We weren't invited to the party because we missed qualification by the skin of our teeth, well 17pts. No so much skin as the remains of several meals on our teeth that we really should have brushed after eating a few cows. Everton look like they have survived. Man City are Premier League Champions. Not much other news. In the absence of facts there is a rich array of rumours to explore. I love rumours because they more often than not are based upon a tiny scintillating bit of fact and a huge dollop of fantasy. Now, I'm not saying any of these rumours are true but some of them can't be dismissed.
The easiest place to start is player signings. In no particular order it is rumoured that Wrexham have stolen Kieron Morris from us for £350,000. Morris is allegedly settled locally so a move to Wrexham would mean he didn't have to move home and reunite him with Mullins. It's been suggested he will treble his wage and be given a flash car. As Kieron is our best looking player I'm surprised nobody has suggested he will also be offered a Hollywood movie contract.
Another player rumour is that we are about to bring back Max Power. I have no idea of the validity of the claim but any rumours involving ex players usually involve all or some of the following. The First bit is based upon somebody drinking in the same pub as his Dad/Gran/pet garden toad and being told by said relative it's a done deal. The second part works on the basis that a small number of our supporters would love to see Max back as he was great when he played for us and would 'bring some much needed experience to the team/would make a great Captain'. Yeah, well, some of this may be true, but most supporters have probably only seen players on the Football League highlights show, home from the pub on a drunken Saturday night after another abysmal Rovers performance. The nostalgia enzyme clicks in with the alcohol and before you know it they're not paying £5.99 to watch some dubious channel but happy that they achieved the same affect and saved money.
Finally, there are injured player rumours which mean that a player's career is in fact over and the club are just being nice before taking them to the vets to be put down. Given our extensive current injury list you can take your pick as to which of our players may never kick a ball again. Ideally it's a good player who we paid money for, such as Harvey Saunders, but fringe players like Paul Lewis, who divide opinion, are useful for this one. The rumour does not even have to have the slightest bearing on reality, it just has to divide opinion in the way that Jeremy Clarkson does (arse v superhero).
Away from the playing side there are manager rumours. We have just sorted our manager out so it's unlikely that Leeds United will be appointing Dawes as their new manager, but it's possible that Karl Robinson could come in once Leeds have been relegated. I think we can all agree though that rumours about our current manager are unlikely to be given any serious credence. That means we're into the ex-manager zone. Micky Mellon, still the king over the water, is likely to be linked with most managerial vacancies, but a good rumour would link him to either taking over at one of our rivals or a much better club. 'Mellon becomes Everton boss following their relegation'. Now that rumour would really get people worked up because it would show all those who doubted Micky's talent were naysayers and traitors. A whole other section of supporters would see this as a marriage made in heaven, a curse worth getting excited about. Ex-manager rumours are though a bit like ex-girlfriend, ex-husband rumours. You know the ones I mean 'We've just seen your ex-stepping out with Adele, they're dead happy'. Ex-rumours work even better if it's a club we hate. 'Mellon offered Bolton job' does the trick. It's like being told the person you sit next to at home matches has, all along, been shagging your other half when you've been at away matches. And come on, you always had your suspicions didn't you?
The final group of rumour stories we can explore are around the general future of the club. 'Arab investment to flood in to Rovers as Sheik Abdullah announces his interest'. When you delve deeper into these rumours it turns out a distant member of the Saudi royal family was seen wearing all white in Riyadh and the rumours start flowing. We have the ground move rumours to contend with in this closed season given that Mark Palios has said that this is still a project. 'Rovers to build stadium on Hilbre Island' looks like a probable rumour, Hoylake beach would be a better option and fits with conspiracy theories about green sludge. Where we play after this sets up a whole other range of option. 'Tranmere to share ground with Bolton whilst new stadia is built'. 'Tranmere to play at Vauxhall Motors for two seasons' Steam emerges from people's ears and pitch forks and smocks are grabbed as mass hordes lay siege to the club. 'How very dare they!'
Rumour has it that only one or two of the above rumours has any basis of truth in them. I will leave you to ponder which one it is or isn't. Rumour has it that you know already.
Digg
Delicious
Facebook
Reddit
Stumbleupon
24/05/2023 10:21
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:05:24:20:09:53 by Wozza.
Quote:ALOTBSOL
As regards moving to a new stadium not based in Tranmere, would that mean having to adapt the name in a similar way to Milton Keynes Dons? So as a nod to the ‘past’ location, something like ‘Wallasey Whites’ or ‘Tranmere Rovered’
Not having a stadium based in Tranmere hasn't been a problem for the last 111 years...
Quote:I'd go for something neutral like Viking TranmereALOTBSOL
As regards moving to a new stadium not based in Tranmere, would that mean having to adapt the name in a similar way to Milton Keynes Dons? So as a nod to the ‘past’ location, something like ‘Wallasey Whites’ or ‘Tranmere Rovered’
***SPORTY VIKINGS - BBC Radio Merseyside with Sean Styles****
👊👊 [tinyurl.com] 👊👊
Quote:dave-p
Tranmere Dockers?
Didn't pongo waring play for birkenhead docker's? I was boring my colleagues to death about the top 2 scorers in a season, before Harland playing for us. I think I stumbled on that.
Tranmere Trailblazers.
Near Rock Ferry Rovers.
Ball Kickers FC.
Fake Birkenhead United.
Then I ate his Liver.......... with some baked beans and a can of coke.
Quote:VFTRSQuote:ALOTBSOL
As regards moving to a new stadium not based in Tranmere, would that mean having to adapt the name in a similar way to Milton Keynes Dons? So as a nod to the ‘past’ location, something like ‘Wallasey Whites’ or ‘Tranmere Rovered’
Not having a stadium based in Tranmere hasn't been a problem for the last 111 years...
So ‘Misnamed Rovers” then. Or ‘Tranmere is three miles thataway Rovers’ Just to highlight how serious my post was.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:05:25:23:08:11 by ALOTBSOL .
Quote:Matt34
Wirral Wanderers.
Tranmere Trailblazers.
Near Rock Ferry Rovers.
Ball Kickers FC.
Fake Birkenhead United.
Wasn’t it Wirral Athletic in Mike Bassett?
Quote:Bristow is betterstek26
See MacDonald signed for Mansfield today
***SPORTY VIKINGS - BBC Radio Merseyside with Sean Styles****
👊👊 [tinyurl.com] 👊👊
Quote:Zint
Wasn’t it Wirral Athletic in Mike Bassett?
I think it was Wirral United wasn't it and their mascot was a wheelie bin.
The exteriors were shot at Stoke's Britannia stadium and the simulated matches at Vauxhall Motors, or the other way around.
Then I ate his Liver.......... with some baked beans and a can of coke.
Quote:stek26
See MacDonald signed for Mansfield today
6 clubs in 8 years at 25 perhaps says something though.
Either there's something about his character that clubs don't want, or he's a bit of a mercenary always looking for a better deal.
Quote:TSKQuote:stek26
See MacDonald signed for Mansfield today
6 clubs in 8 years at 25 perhaps says something though.
Either there's something about his character that clubs don't want, or he's a bit of a mercenary always looking for a better deal.
Ye I heard he was apparently hoping to sign for a league 1 club last season and that’s why he didn’t say go re sign a contract with us. Exactly the same thing happened with Khan the year before.
McDonald was a steady player, but I always thought we could better and Bristow I agree is miles better.
Quote:stek26Quote:TSKQuote:stek26
See MacDonald signed for Mansfield today
6 clubs in 8 years at 25 perhaps says something though.
Either there's something about his character that clubs don't want, or he's a bit of a mercenary always looking for a better deal.
Ye I heard he was apparently hoping to sign for a league 1 club last season and that’s why he didn’t say go re sign a
contract with us. Exactly the same thing happened with Khan the year before.
McDonald was a steady player, but I always thought we could better and Bristow I agree is miles better.
He went to Bristol rovers but couldn't break into the team
Then I ate his Liver.......... with some baked beans and a can of coke.
Quote:its only because he wants the flat to rent after the player and the agent wouldnt say who it wasMatt34
I bet he could have if he wanted to, because if saying anything risked legal issues, he never would have said anything at all.
Unless we're selling someone.
Or it's made up (just to be complete).
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:06:12:21:47:49 by dave-p.
***SPORTY VIKINGS - BBC Radio Merseyside with Sean Styles****
👊👊 [tinyurl.com] 👊👊
Quote:Crazylegs Cranebird
We want to keep Hawkes if we can.
Who do you suggest we should sell? Selling players on (..at the right time, at the right price) and reinvesting the profit into the squad is fundamental to the club’s strategy.
Quote:Crazylegs Cranebird
We want to keep Hawkes if we can. Cogley is replaceable: O'Connor could retake the RB spot, we already have too many defensive midfielders.
O'Connor can't cross and is a far better defensive midfielder than full back, the irish play him as wing back which is even worse.
Cogley is going and Hawkes would be an ideal sale, nothing special amid an army of midfielders
Quote:Top scorer 10 goals, 100% penalty record. The other midfielders scored a combined total of zero I think? Its not Hawkes who needs to goRhinemanQuote:Crazylegs Cranebird
We want to keep Hawkes if we can. Cogley is replaceable: O'Connor could retake the RB spot, we already have too many defensive midfielders.
O'Connor can't cross and is a far better defensive midfielder than full back, the irish play him as wing back which is even worse.
Cogley is going and Hawkes would be an ideal sale, nothing special amid an army of midfielders
totally forgotten about him.
Carlos Mendes Gomes
He was on loan at Fleetwood last year, but I would suspect Fleetwood can't spend massively above Tranmere and he could be a useful source of goals.
Then I ate his Liver.......... with some baked beans and a can of coke.
Quote:With the exception of Josh Hawkes - who netted 11 (not 10), it's pretty poor really.ALOTBSOL
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tranmere-rovers/top-scorers
\
Quote:ALOTBSOL
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tranmere-rovers/top-scorers
\
Looking at this list in terms of assists, this is is also quite poor.
For our forwards, midfielders and 2 wing backs:
Cogley is top on 5 (but with only 1 goal) in 49 games
Josh is 4 (with 11 goals) in 45 games
Morris is 4 (with 3 goals) in 24 games
Hemmings 3 (with 8 goals) in 42 games
Lewis 2 (with 2 goals) in 27 games
and even Bristow is just 2 (with 1 goal) in 49 games
Saunders is 0 (with 3 goals) in 19 games
O'Connor or Merrie aren't even on the list and even Henry - who many were sorry to see go - was only 1 goal and 0 assists in 19 games
This is clearly something that needs sorting. The only "must keep" player from all that is Josh Hawkes.
Quote:Crazylegs CranebirdQuote:ALOTBSOL
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tranmere-rovers/top-scorers
\
Looking at this list in terms of assists, this is is also quite poor.
For our forwards, midfielders and 2 wing backs:
Cogley is top on 5 (but with only 1 goal) in 49 games
Josh is 4 (with 11 goals) in 45 games
Morris is 4 (with 3 goals) in 24 games
Hemmings 3 (with 8 goals) in 42 games
Lewis 2 (with 2 goals) in 27 games
and even Bristow is just 2 (with 1 goal) in 49 games
Saunders is 0 (with 3 goals) in 19 games
O'Connor or Merrie aren't even on the list and even Henry - who many were sorry to see go - was only 1 goal and 0 assists in 19 games
This is clearly something that needs sorting. The only "must keep" player from all that is Josh Hawkes.
You are looking at the outcome not the cause.
The midfield was detached from the attack. Most supply to the attack was aerial for which it had no capacity to retain the ball. The right side mainly crossed to a non-existent target man. The left side produced next to nothing.
The team rarely dominated play and most goals came from scraps or strange/rare circumstances.
No one can seriously argue we missed a lot of chances or even failed to take shots. Indeed I was tired of commentators applauding have a go efforts that had zero chance of success.
The set up was wrong, significantly due to poor squad make up, and nothing changed even after the manager swap. The new signing is a replica to the existing forwards, ie has no physical presence which in this league is needed.
Quote:RhinemanQuote:Crazylegs CranebirdQuote:ALOTBSOL
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tranmere-rovers/top-scorers
\
Looking at this list in terms of assists, this is is also quite poor.
For our forwards, midfielders and 2 wing backs:
Cogley is top on 5 (but with only 1 goal) in 49 games
Josh is 4 (with 11 goals) in 45 games
Morris is 4 (with 3 goals) in 24 games
Hemmings 3 (with 8 goals) in 42 games
Lewis 2 (with 2 goals) in 27 games
and even Bristow is just 2 (with 1 goal) in 49 games
Saunders is 0 (with 3 goals) in 19 games
O'Connor or Merrie aren't even on the list and even Henry - who many were sorry to see go - was only 1 goal and 0 assists in 19 games
This is clearly something that needs sorting. The only "must keep" player from all that is Josh Hawkes.
You are looking at the outcome not the cause.
The midfield was detached from the attack. Most supply to the attack was aerial for which it had no capacity to retain the ball. The right side mainly crossed to a non-existent target man. The left side produced next to nothing.
The team rarely dominated play and most goals came from scraps or strange/rare circumstances.
No one can seriously argue we missed a lot of chances or even failed to take shots. Indeed I was tired of commentators applauding have a go efforts that had zero chance of success.
The set up was wrong, significantly due to poor squad make up, and nothing changed even after the manager swap. The new signing is a replica to the existing forwards, ie has no physical presence which in this league is needed.
I agree about the ifollow commentary. "Bebington End Regular" or Rob Edwards was quite honest with his criticism. I disagree about Dawes, I think he pulled us around well at the end of last season to steer us to a top half finish and knows what is required.
Including failing to beat any of Colchester, Harrogate, Wimbledon, Crawley and Rochdale. Five of the poorest teams in the division at the time we played each of them.
Let’s face it, both managers were dealt a shocking hand last season. Mellon, unsurprisingly, proved to be the more pragmatic of the two.
It’s imperative the club gives Dawes a balanced and competitive squad this season. At least then, if he fails to deliver again, his successor will have half a chance.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:06:15:18:49:42 by XFA.
