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Viking Chat => Viking Chat => Topic started by: selby on February 04, 2024, 11:04:01 am

Title: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: selby on February 04, 2024, 11:04:01 am: After a somewhat lucky point ( has our luck changed at last?) according to reports, we play Tranmere Rovers in a game that seems no less important, a win needed to settle nerves and hopefully improve confidence of the players.
I will take getting a point when we play poorly, we were the best side at Bradford just days earlier, got kicked off the park in a poorly officiated game and Bradford are still bathing in the glory of getting to a semi final whatever way they needed to do to get there, it is a cruel game when things don't go for you, especially when the supporters get on the teams and players backs.
We have no right to go to places like Sutton and expect the points presented on a platter, or to play like Real Madrid, we are a club and team in transition, and a fairly young side who are under tremendous pressure and are now in the spotlight of a battle for the club to retain EFL status and their own careers in many cases.
So it started yesterday a battle one we rescued and on to the next. Wood is pivotal in this situation and Anderson should be part of it whether out of favour or not to me, Olowu looking more and more like a cat on hot bricks.
Ironside is our most important player, and we need at least one player to get up and around him during games and to contribute to our goal tally.
The mid field is and has been all season our achilleas heal, even with all the players fit only Westwood has shown anything like the consistency and mobility with a bit of class in that department, all the others having glaring weaknesses especially in the stop the other side playing department giving our own back line a torrid time in most games with players running through and at them, we have to be better at keeping player between our goal and the ball, and the use of the tactical foul further up the pitch.
To me we have done ok up front, waters needs to come on board with a few goals and not just look busy, but overall they have done well with little service.
Tranmere meanwhile have picked up under Adkins an old adversary and are now a solid not spectacular outfit who are set up well, a lesson for us to learn.
We need the points as simple as that, need to do whatever is needed to win the game, and get an identity to our game that has been missing all season when we have not got the best out of the players at our disposal.
Tranmere's mid field with players like Apter and Morris is the area we could be disadvantaged in, and we need to improve quickly, in my mind Flint could be a big player if given the chance in that area.
The one thing needed now is the club pulling together supporters and staff, we have all had a gripe including myself, the manager and owner coming under uncalled for pressure as well as the CEO. and even supporters thinking we do not do statistical analysis when we actually do, at least we do now.
So lots to discuss, the main thing giving everything to get a result however we need to do it, and the only place we can get the club up and at it again is on the pitch, things off it are nowhere near the position some are making out.
Things to mull over big style, have we yesterday taken a big step pinching a result, I think so, lots to discuss please have your say.
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: mushRTID on February 04, 2024, 12:02:21 pm: With Salford and Matt Smith to follow, this has to be another not lose game. Almost must win.
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: Lesonthewest on February 04, 2024, 01:11:37 pm: Tranmere have really improved lately, beating some of the better sides in this league, & score goals. Unless Grant can find a formula in midfield I can only see a defeat coming. Really hope I'm wrong.
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: steve@dcfd on February 04, 2024, 01:39:36 pm: Goals win games and apart from Ironside and Faal when he was here we don’t have anybody else above 4 goals.
In the 6 forwards Ironside 14 Molyneux 2 both have played nearly all our games. None of the others have scored yet.
Therefore we need Waters Adelakun Molyneux Hurst and Taylor to score when selected.
From Midfield we have had 13 goals scored yet Close Westbrook are injured.
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: ncRover on February 04, 2024, 08:21:28 pm: Tranmere have only had 5 shots on target in their last 4 games

They had picked up since Adkins took over but they look to have stagnated a bit
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: Chris Black come back on February 04, 2024, 10:20:36 pm: They are terrible away from home.
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: selby on February 05, 2024, 10:08:53 am: Tranmere are not going to lay down, but we need to concentrate on our own game and sort out our weakness's and create our own identity, something we have not had for some time, our most regular supporters not having a clue what way we will play or even who will play, and none of our players have shown consistency of form even week to week, s**t or sugar the phrase to describe us for the last few years.
First thing we need is just basic uncomplicated defending keeping defenders between our goal and the ball, something we have been poor at for a long time, and make the game difficult for the other side, something we do now and again instead of every game.
The real battle of the season started last Saturday trying to keep out of real doo doo, I will take a lucky point over the season we earnt it being unlucky in other games, we nead to battle and build all the way to the end of the season now.
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: Arsenal Of The North on February 05, 2024, 04:17:45 pm: We need to learn how to control a game. That means using a midfield, Bailey in my opinion isn’t a CM, or at least not what we need just now.

I’d be tempted to flood the midfield and go 5 in there, the more bodies the better and more likely we have a chance of carving out more chances.

Team for me would be

New lad in net

Sterry
Woods
McGrath
Maxwell (offers more of an attacking output than senior)

Molly
Biggins
Broadbent
Craig
Waters

Ironside
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: roversdude on February 05, 2024, 04:23:00 pm: Is Biggins injured ?
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: Lesonthewest on February 05, 2024, 08:26:14 pm: Get Nixon in midfield, he would give more resistance than anyone currently in there.
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: philsky on February 05, 2024, 09:03:12 pm: I’m up again for this one after Bradford and Sutton.

Wouldn’t mind 3 points.

At least the McDonalds on my way up will be decent.
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: Chris Black come back on February 06, 2024, 05:56:05 am: You will rarely see an improvement in form as stark as Tranmere this season. 30 league games so far. First 15 they managed 10 points, losing 11 games. Last 15 managed 27 points, losing 4 games.
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: BigH on February 06, 2024, 06:24:25 am: Entirely down to Adkins working with the existing squad of players after they sacked Dawes seven games in.

Also no signings in January other than renewing Apters loan.

Another example of what can be done at this level with minimal resources.
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: DonnyOsmond on February 06, 2024, 01:56:13 pm: Ironside
Maxwell Molyneux Adelakun
Bailey Biggins
Senior McGrath Wood Sterry
Lo-Tutala

Jones
Nixon
Olowu
Flint
Broadbent
Taylor
Waters
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: Chris Black come back on February 06, 2024, 02:54:36 pm: Lo-Tutala

Maxwell
Wood
McGrath
Sterry

Bailey
Close / either Biggins or Broadbent

Molyneux
Waters
Adelakun

Ironside
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: ncRover on February 06, 2024, 03:58:31 pm: I feel like the full backs either have to be

Nixon and Maxwell

Or

Sterry and Senior

For the sake of balance. Then Bailey or whoever is in midfield can defensively cover the more attacking full back’s side.
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: Sammy Chung was King on February 06, 2024, 06:52:08 pm: We need a settled side, especially at the back. Players need to start taking charge of things, make things happen. Ironside needs service, give him that and he will score goals. Waters has a few in him as well.
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: Lesonthewest on February 06, 2024, 07:53:11 pm: Quote from: Chris Black come back on February 06, 2024, 05:56:05 am
You will rarely see an improvement in form as stark as Tranmere this season. 30 league games so far. First 15 they managed 10 points, losing 11 games. Last 15 managed 27 points, losing 4 games.

Absolutely, recently away from home they've won at Harrogate, thumped Salford 1-5, & won at Grimsby. Recently at home they've stuck 4 past Notts County .
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: In the box on February 07, 2024, 04:06:14 pm: Quote from: DonnyOsmond on February 06, 2024, 01:56:13 pm
Ironside
Maxwell Molyneux Adelakun
Bailey Biggins
Senior McGrath Wood Sterry
Lo-Tutala

Jones
Nixon
Olowu
Flint
Broadbent
Taylor
Waters
play three at the back fill the midfield to support a front two . McGrath is left sided and looks effective going forward .
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: ncRover on February 09, 2024, 03:20:14 pm: Lo-Tutala

Sterry
Bailey
Wood
Senior

Craig
Broadbent

Adelakun
Waters
Molyneux

Ironside

Senior to stay back more and cover Wood’s lack of pace. Sterry pushing forward.

That front 3 behind Ironside could be fluid and change positions throughout the game while offering him better support.

Broadbent improved us by all accounts when he came on for Rowe and is more defensively sound than Biggins.

Bailey’s best position is CB. That’s where he played when we got the good results vs Mansfield and MK.
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: Alan Southstand on February 09, 2024, 03:50:04 pm: Scrap 4-3-3 and go 4-4-2 or even 4-5-1.
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: GazLaz on February 10, 2024, 09:11:57 am: I will start worrying if we don’t put up a show today. I think we could/ should win. Couple that with Sutton having every chance of getting a result at Morecambe.

This feels like our most winnable game left in the season. We still have FGR to play at home but there will probably be a different dynamic to that game, especially if they are <6 points behind us at the time.

Just win Donny FFS!!
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: Chris Black come back on February 10, 2024, 09:36:33 am: Since Adkins was appointed on 2 November, they have scored in 5 of their 7 away league games, including scoring 2 at Mansfield and Harrogate and 5 at Salford.

The problem we have is that if the other side score first, we generally then lose.
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: Colin C No.3 on February 10, 2024, 11:22:35 am: A scoreline that will have the ‘stay always’ scratching their heads as Rovers run out 3-1 winners with two goals from Joe Ironside, one from the penalty spot, which will take his total league goals for the season to 14 (yet only 8 from open play so don’t count the other 6) & one for Billy Waters.
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: Chris Black come back on February 10, 2024, 11:46:40 am: Quote from: GazLaz on February 10, 2024, 09:11:57 am
I will start worrying if we don’t put up a show today. I think we could/ should win. Couple that with Sutton having every chance of getting a result at Morecambe.

This feels like our most winnable game left in the season. We still have FGR to play at home but there will probably be a different dynamic to that game, especially if they are <6 points behind us at the time.

Just win Donny FFS!!

Tom Biltcliffe reckons that Tranmere have won just 2 of their 35 away league games against us (D12 L21).
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: ncRover on February 10, 2024, 11:58:11 am: Richard Wood will score his first Rovers goal today. I can feel it down in my plums.
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: Padge_DRFC on February 10, 2024, 12:17:26 pm: Quote from: Chris Black come back on February 10, 2024, 11:46:40 am
Quote from: GazLaz on February 10, 2024, 09:11:57 am
I will start worrying if we don’t put up a show today. I think we could/ should win. Couple that with Sutton having every chance of getting a result at Morecambe.

This feels like our most winnable game left in the season. We still have FGR to play at home but there will probably be a different dynamic to that game, especially if they are &lt;6 points behind us at the time.

Just win Donny FFS!!

Tom Biltcliffe reckons that Tranmere have won just 2 of their 35 away league games against us (D12 L21).

Don't forget we are Christmas when it comes to this sort of thing. On a losing streak? End it by playing Doncaster Rovers.

We absolutely outplayed them at their place but we had Westbrook and Close in midfield. The option we have today are pretty useless. Bailey is better at CB. Then again he's not being utilised sat in front of the back 4 like I thought he would where I think he'd be okayish
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: drfcsteve on February 10, 2024, 12:25:40 pm: This one worries me because for me McCann has been tactically naive at times this season. I reckon Adkins will have worked out how to nullify our attacking threat, which is basically nonexistent anyway. Can we stop them scoring? I doubt it.
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: GazLaz on February 10, 2024, 12:27:03 pm: Quote from: drfcsteve on February 10, 2024, 12:25:40 pm
This one worries me because for me McCann has been tactically naive at times this season. I reckon Adkins will have worked out how to nullify our attacking threat, which is basically nonexistent anyway. Can we stop them scoring? I doubt it.

If Adkins out tactics you it’s time to give up.
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: drfcsteve on February 10, 2024, 12:34:39 pm: Quote from: GazLaz on February 10, 2024, 12:27:03 pm
Quote from: drfcsteve on February 10, 2024, 12:25:40 pm
This one worries me because for me McCann has been tactically naive at times this season. I reckon Adkins will have worked out how to nullify our attacking threat, which is basically nonexistent anyway. Can we stop them scoring? I doubt it.

If Adkins out tactics you it’s time to give up.

Tbf though it won’t be that hard. If they stick two big lads on Ironside we’re stuffed.
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: Barmby Rover on February 10, 2024, 01:05:29 pm: Tranmere is about as difficult a team that we can handle at the moment, but even then I can't see the current team being able to score, 0 - 2 today.
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: ChrisBx on February 10, 2024, 01:06:46 pm: Score draw.
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: graingrover on February 10, 2024, 01:45:50 pm: How do you feel this Saturday midday guys and gals?I am up for it!
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: roversontheup on February 10, 2024, 01:54:37 pm: As ever I am hopeful. Not sure I can quite reach optimistic yet. Every game is a clean sheet of paper when I try to believe this will be the start of our upturn.
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: DonnyOsmond on February 10, 2024, 02:01:53 pm: That's an alright team imo
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: Chris Black come back on February 10, 2024, 02:03:30 pm: So long as Bailey and Craig don’t move past half way line it’s good, and Waters behind Ironside.
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: NickDRFC on February 10, 2024, 02:08:12 pm: “Grant, the options you’ve had in midfield recently - Biggins, Rowe, Broadbent - haven’t looked up to it. How do you propose to sort that out?”

“I won’t play any of them”

Interesting to see how we will set up. The idea of Wood and Olowu as our 2 centre backs doesn’t fill
me with much confidence but equally if Bailey is part of a back 3 then you’ve got a 18/19 year old who hasn’t looked ready playing by himself in central midfield. At least with Molyneux, Waters and Adelakun behind Ironside it feels like we should offer something in attack.
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: Petche on February 10, 2024, 02:14:16 pm: No Taylor again?
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: Chris Black come back on February 10, 2024, 02:31:42 pm: Taylor played last Saturday.
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: dickos1 on February 10, 2024, 03:37:49 pm: Quote from: Chris Black come back on February 10, 2024, 02:31:42 pm
Taylor played last Saturday.

I think it’s pretty obvious what he meant when he said again
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: GazLaz on February 10, 2024, 05:04:12 pm: Great result that gives us some breathing space. Fancied us today, tougher tasks to come. Midfield looks poor but in a way having less of the ball does help us.
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: Dare to dream! on February 10, 2024, 05:14:27 pm: Thought the young lad Craig played well today - had loads of confidence and made some great passes toward the end.
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: Wiltshire Exile on February 10, 2024, 05:14:41 pm: Now unbeaten in 2 league games! :woohoo:
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: Jonathan on February 10, 2024, 05:15:35 pm: Big win. Some quality end product in the final third that’s been lacking. Also, Richard Wood will be key to us doing okay.
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: mushRTID on February 10, 2024, 05:19:23 pm: Wood and Ironside magnificent. Don’t think Joe got one decision all day!

New goalie shits me up with his passing, very nearly caught out in the end.

Still don’t get the Hurst sub, not strong enough for me thought it was a backward sub.

But a good game, really enjoyed it for once. Big win….get in!!
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: Sammy Chung was King on February 10, 2024, 05:23:39 pm: Important to win the game, however we managed to do it. Ironside gets another, Adelakun gets off the mark. We haven’t beaten a great side, but it’s a real confidence booster. Our problems are still there, but we got away with them today. Nice to have a positive result.
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: DonnyOsmond on February 10, 2024, 05:25:19 pm: Quote from: Dare to dream! on February 10, 2024, 05:14:27 pm
Thought the young lad Craig played well today - had loads of confidence and made some great passes toward the end.

Thought his interviews and how he started with us he was a bag of nerves but today, especially in the second he was full of confidence. A couple of very nice threaded balls in the second half.
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: Arsenal Of The North on February 10, 2024, 09:07:12 pm: For those not on Twitter or don’t follow Tom bitcliffe, he posted this before the match

‘Across football league history, Tranmere rovers have won just two of their 35 away league games against Doncaster rovers.(D12 L21)’

Well that’s 36 games now with 22 losses, are we the ultimate bogie team for Tranmere? Some record if correct.
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: NickDRFC on February 10, 2024, 09:09:55 pm: Quote from: Arsenal Of The North on February 10, 2024, 09:07:12 pm
For those not on Twitter or don’t follow Tom bitcliffe, he posted this before the match

‘Across football league history, Tranmere rovers have won just two of their 35 away league games against Doncaster rovers.(D12 L32)’

Well that’s 36 games now with 33 losses, are we the ultimate bogie team for Tranmere? Some record if correct.

There’s one or possibly more typos in there given the wins, draws and losses he mentioned add up to 46. Even if it’s 2 wins, 12 draws and now 22 losses it’s a pretty poor record.
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: Arsenal Of The North on February 10, 2024, 09:11:37 pm: My mistake, edited the original post.
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: ncRover on February 10, 2024, 09:41:21 pm: Ironside looked onside at the end when he was clean through.

I wasn’t in line with it but was the linesman looking at the wrong defender?
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: Dutch Uncle on February 10, 2024, 09:44:46 pm: First match I ever saw Rovers play we lost at home to Tranmere by 1-4 - it was an FA Cup tie though
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: Filo on February 10, 2024, 09:46:14 pm: Quote from: ncRover on February 10, 2024, 09:41:21 pm
Ironside looked onside at the end when he was clean through.

I wasn’t in line with it but was the linesman looking at the wrong defender?

I was dead in line with it, a yard onside, number 5 in the middle of the pitch was playing him on
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: idler on February 10, 2024, 10:02:45 pm: We couldn’t believe it either. It was an awful decision.
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: Chris Black come back on February 11, 2024, 07:34:21 am: Quote from: Petche on February 10, 2024, 02:14:16 pm
No Taylor again?

Injured again. McCann says he needs another operation on his knee after getting injured at Sutton. He played 15 minutes.
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: mushRTID on February 11, 2024, 07:49:29 am: Did I miss the Taylor news yesterday or have they let it out on the quiet?

This is quite unbelievable. Have you ever known anything like this? Imagine how he is feeling poor bloke. Astonishing really
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: Rovers91 on February 11, 2024, 08:10:12 am: If he needs another operation I will be shocked if he doesn't retire at the end of the season especially since he was close to previously, lads had no luck.
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: Chris Black come back on February 11, 2024, 08:16:47 am: Terrible luck for him. You do wonder who would now ever give him a contract. Cruel game.
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: Avsuptem on February 11, 2024, 08:17:03 am: Quote from: Dutch Uncle on February 10, 2024, 09:44:46 pm
First match I ever saw Rovers play we lost at home to Tranmere by 1-4 - it was an FA Cup tie though
You and me as both Uncle. It was the first match i saw too. Tranmere played in yellow.
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: Chris Black come back on February 11, 2024, 09:56:08 am: Quote from: Rovers91 on February 11, 2024, 08:10:12 am
If he needs another operation I will be shocked if he doesn't retire at the end of the season especially since he was close to previously, lads had no luck.

Since he signed his 3 year deal he has played the following in all competitions:

2021/22 season - 3 appearances (22 mins, 69 mins and 67 mins)

2022/23 season - 14 appearances (45 mins, 26 mins, 28 mins, 62 mins, 63 mins, 22 mins, 18 mins, 12 mins, 57 mins, 4 mins, 26 mins, 12 mins, 25 mins, 16 mins)

2023/24 season - 5 appearances (68 mins, 1 min, 8 mins, 54 mins, 15 mins)
Title: Re: Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game
Post by: Chris Black come back on February 16, 2024, 02:20:04 pm: Quote from: Chris Black come back on February 11, 2024, 08:16:47 am
Terrible luck for him. You do wonder who would now ever give him a contract. Cruel game.

I don't think it will make too much difference for this season tbh and of course it is never good when the club gets their hands on a player during his rehab, but McCann now saying that Taylor is having operation next Thursday and then only out for "two or three weeks".