Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game

[selby]

  The boxing day fixture, followed a few days later v Rochdale two of our oldest foes and never easy, Tranmere like us not playing last weekend will want to get back on Track (we are good at getting teams back on track, one of our strengths) not having won a league game in the last six, drawing three and losing three, and without a win in the last nine in all competitions.
  So not two great sides meeting, and with Rochdale completing the group of three teams the Covid era, and their insistence over that time running the clubs sustainably now seems to have affected all three disproportionally to other clubs who carried on spending money they didn't have.
   Tranmere came down in  that period when falling foul to the points system when looking like in the form to get well away from relegation if the season had been completed so very unlucky and have found it difficult since.
  They usually play the all action in their faces game we always find difficult to play against in recent times, but in ten league games on home soil have only scored seven goals, which is another thing that teams having difficulty with we tend to help them out with and get them back on track scoring goals.
  So we have to break our bad habits to get a result, and after the Newport result us the supporters and the players should be looking to build on what was a decent performance and in the end a good result, but against a side that didn't show a lot against us and I expect a harder test Boxing Day.
  Our injury problems seem to be starting to be in a better place, so the squad could well see additions of players coming back from injury, which is good news after missing so many in the first half of the season.
  How do you see it playing out?
  Do you expect changes to the side that played at Newport?
  Can this be the start of a little run of Victories after the Newport game?
  Are you going to the game?
  Can Danny out think Mickey Mellon tactically?
  Lots to discuss about this game, please have your say.

[Chris Black come back]

They are on a very poor run. Haven’t won in last 10 and only scored 6 times in those 10 games. They haven’t scored in their last 3 home league games or won in their last 4 home league games. Which is odd as they had previously won 5 league games on the bounce before this latest run.

[Campsall rover]

They are on a very poor run. Haven’t won in last 10 and only scored 6 times in those 10 games. They haven’t scored in their last 3 home league games or won in their last 4 home league games. Which is odd as they had previously won 5 league games on the bounce before this latest run.

Well done CBcb you have just given us the kiss of death AGAIN.

Please, please pack it in.     

[ravenrover]

They are on a very poor run. Haven’t won in last 10 and only scored 6 times in those 10 games. They haven’t scored in their last 3 home league games or won in their last 4 home league games. Which is odd as they had previously won 5 league games on the bounce before this latest run.

Guaranteed 3-0  home win then!

[Campsall rover]

Anderson and Olowu both have to play if 100% fit.

I don’t see Knoyle and Rowe as centre backs.
If we play 3 centre backs then Knoyle and Rowe wing backs.
I know Seaman played well at Newport but it has to be Knoyle for me in that position.
I don’t think Tommy Rowe should be shoe horned into the team. If DS wants Maxwell at full back or wing back then maybe TR has to go on the bench.
Or do we leave out Clayton, Biggins or Close, and play TR in midfield.
Clayton out possibly but not the other 2 no way imo.

[bpoolrover]

Saw on official site all tickets for this match need collecting before 12 noon on Friday in case anyone missed it

[Scooter]

Saw on official site all tickets for this match need collecting before 12 noon on Friday in case anyone missed it

Thanks. I’ll go through Thursday to buy mine

[ForsolongaRover]

Looking at Tranmere’s 4 most recent You Tube videos - Grimsby, Carlisle, Wimbledon and Northampton, you might be rather more depressed than we have been with our Rovers performances. Their defending is half-hearted and there is not much bite about their attack. Their goal against Grimsby came when the opposition goalkeeper kicked his clearance straight at a Tranmere player and ricocheted into the net! They give away penalties despite seeming to be generally averse to tackling in the penalty area and they miss the penalties they are awarded. So they are at a really low ebb and look genuinely poor.

Let’s hope that we will get some pace and penetration from the start. It’s time we saw more evidence of expert coaching and improved training to improve stamina and speed.

It would be so good to have something to really get excited about for a change. There hasn’t been much since those John-Jules/Richards goals and those runs by Sims and Taylor are fading away, a distant memory.

 

[Scooter]

Anyone got any good car parking tips? I have read there is a car park at the ground for 7 quid but I am a Yorkshireman.

[Janso]

Went when Ramsey scored a few and there was quite a bit of street parking a few minutes away.

[selby]

We desperately need a result out of this game and the Rochdale game, get  points and it could be pivotal to the rest of the season and project us into play off places  with things to play for the rest of the season.
  Fail and it is a long way back, we need to put a good run of results together now to keep supporter interest and turn the clubs future around.
   A very important period ahead.

[drfchound]

Brian, I have spoken to quite a few Rovers fans over the last few weeks and the apathy is already there with plenty of them.

[mushRTID]

Any pub suggestions pre match, been ages since I have been Tranmere. Cheers

[selby]

  Yes Hound I know, but experience tells me a lot of them are ruled by the moon and easily coerced back into the fold and get giddy with a few wins on the board.
  It seems the modern way, just hangers on to winners with no real connection to clubs just wallowing in the glory of supporting winning team.
  Pity about the airport really. it must be hard for the Real Madrid and Barcelona supporters.

[scawsby steve]

Brian, I have spoken to quite a few Rovers fans over the last few weeks and the apathy is already there with plenty of them.

Totally agree, mate, and it's not just Rovers. Since Covid, and especially now with the war in Ukraine and the cost of living crisis, the life seems to be getting sucked out of all of us, in every possible way.

Look at this forum; it's died a death in the last few weeks. It's as though no-one can be bothered any more.

I honestly don't know what the answer is.

[selby]

 A run of ten games without defeat Steve, works every time.

[Chris Black come back]

Rowe out again. Griffiths back in the squad.

That leaves Younger, Olowu and Faulkner the long term injured. Potentially Rowe depending on his current injury.

[Padge_DRFC]

Rowe now picking up injuries like sweets..

[Colemans Left Hook]

Rowe now picking up injuries like sweets..

Rowentrees ????

[Chris Black come back]

Taylor taken off injured after 10 minutes.

[bpoolrover]

If this is how schofield wants to play please go now

[Butchers Red]

I now understand why he let Faulkner out on loan - he put's a tackle in and plays the ball forwards.

How many times have we seen the ball sat in our own half with absolutely no urgency, desire or intent to attack - it's pathetic.

And this is how they are after 14 days of "getting plenty of training into them and learning what he's trying to teach"

[Chris Black come back]

Whether he wants to play like this or only has the players to play like this, it is dreadful. Slow passing out from back, no pace or urgency anywhere, then long ball hoofed up to Miller. It's the same every single time without fail.

Slow, slow, even slower, lose possession. It's the rhythm of our game these days.

And of course, we concede and go behind yet again. Absolutely terrible defensive unit.

[ForsolongaRover]

Where is the evidence of good coaching or super-fitness that we are told about? Knocking it around at the back then the long ball upfield with the home side showing more energy regaining possession almost every time. We lose almost every fifty-fifty ball. The home crowd are even jeering our back-passing!

[selby]

  They have got Long spotted as the weakness most attacks going down our left side and just a matter of time before they got behind.
  The mid field once again just short balls and not showing for the ball, we are too easy to play against and poor in a lot of positions, Millar feeding off scraps and wide players rarely getting a pass forward.

[Butchers Red]

Tranmere look equally shocking - if he cannot change things 2nd half then the writing's on the wall for us this season. I've never, ever seen a Rovers side putting in fewer challenges than this and just going through the motions no passion,no desire nothing

[Chris the Rover]

It is so boring to watch. Total lack of urgency all over the pitch. I was really looking forward to this game but am starting to wish I hadn’t bothered. Just hope we show more spirit and oomph in the second half.

[bpoolrover]

The defence and midfield don’t actually know what there doing

[Butchers Red]

I feel for the poor sods that have gone there today - by a mile the worst, most inept,gutless display I have even seen from my team in 55 years.

[colincramb]

Absolutely disgraceful this performance