Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game

[selby]

  After a disappointing display at AFC Wimbledon and failing to look after the top scorer in the division Stevens we move on to take on our old adversary Nigel Adkins Tranmere Rovers hoping to improve on our recent home game performances and results.
  We may not get any easier chances to score than the early two we had at Wimbledon, but we will need to sharpen up on the performance all round if we are to get back on track before a tricky Christmas period if we are to stay in touch with the top sides coming up to the new year.
  I have always contended that leagues and promotions are won by the form sides from January on to the end of the season, but the different levels of our performances at the moment is disturbing, good players like Bailey, Moly, Ironside, and Sharp looking way off it, and in a word tired, and others just not sharp enough.
  I don't expect this to go on and on but we need to snap out of it quickly and go on another little run which would build confidence at a time of the year when games follow on each other quickly, and it's a couple of years  since we had a very merry Christmas.
  While we were getting mullered at Wimbledon Tranmere were doing what we find impossible and beating Harrogate 2-1 with both wingers Dennis and Patrick doing the business in front of goal, and from reports played some good football in the process, and after a sticky start are now showing better form to get away from the relegation places.
  Both sides now sit mid table in the divisions form table which is not where we want to be, and we are in a run of drawn games in our home matches which is not ideal especially with the supporters who expect better, especially against some of the teams themselves not in great form who have left the Eco Stadium with a share of the spoils.
  Predicting our line up is beyond me and most on here I suggest as we search for an answer to our drop in form and lack of clinical finishing by players we know are better than what they are showing at the moment. Predicting our line up I will leave to others.
  Tranmere are a better football side than their present place in the table indicates so we will need to get back on our game quickly, and be better at the back and more clinical up front when chances present themselves, hopefully the early start will brush the cobwebs off our players.
  So what do you think? is the early start to your liking? what do you see as the problem in the team? is it just a lack of collective form? is it Tactical? have some of our players been rumbled by the opposition? have we to change our game to get results? have all the players we signed shown their true ability in our formation? Lot's to discuss, lots of questions to ask, please have your say.

[graingrover]

I think we will beat Tranmere go third and wonder what all the noise is about .

[rich1471]

Don't forget it's a 12.30 kickoff

[selby]

Yes I hope so and have that little feeling you could be right, but even if we do win Grainge we still need to look to strengthen and cut what weakness's out that are being repeated too often, especially at both ends of the field.
 We are not that great in both penalty areas.

[ncRover]

I think we will beat Tranmere go third and wonder what all the noise is about .

Yes so do I, but I don’t think that cancels out the noise. Tranmere are bloody awful.

We have some good fixtures coming up when you take out Walsall away. A chance for a consistent team to be put together and get some decent results as a springboard. Then sprinkle some January signings in.

[danumdon]

I think we will beat Tranmere go third and wonder what all the noise is about .

Yes so do I, but I don’t think that cancels out the noise. Tranmere are bloody awful.

We have some good fixtures coming up when you take out Walsall away. A chance for a consistent team to be put together and get some decent results as a springboard. Then sprinkle some January signings in.

Agree, its more important for the rest of our season that we have some sort of stability in formation, tactics and players. I fail to see how players can form partnerships and develop the understanding of playing in a formation with the same personnel when we constantly change both almost every game.

Its one step forward and three steps back every week at the moment, we need stability in thought and deeds.

[Fal]

Don't forget it's a 12.30 kickoff

On sky too if anyone can’t make it

[selby]

  We need a win even a scruffy lucky one to get our home form back on track.

[Chris Black come back]

Tranmere have the worst away record in League Two and the worst away goal difference. They have lost their last three away league games and scored only one goal in those three games.

[drfchound]

Tranmere have the worst away record in League Two and the worst away goal difference. They have lost their last three away league games and scored only one goal in those three games.

Mmmmm.

[BigH]

Nailed on win for them then!

[selby]

  That information on how bad they are frightens me yo death with our record of getting teams back on track after a bad run of results.

[Usher wide.]

I firmly believe it’s a game we will win however, it’s ‘how we win it’ that is more important going forward.

A clean sheet is a must, no more giving away a ‘soft goal’ first which then enables the away team to ‘shut up shop’ thus stifling our game plan & frustrating the supporters.

We need not only to be on the front foot (as we were against Wimbledon) when we could & should have gone in at half time 2-0 up, but to score first then more importantly for morale all round, to go on & dominate Tranmere & win by at least 2,3 or 4 goals.

Time to ‘buck up’!

[Pancho Regan]

Tranmere have the worst away record in League Two and the worst away goal difference. They have lost their last three away league games and scored only one goal in those three games.

Well that's buggered our hopes of winning.....

[Nudga]

It's also our Santa is a Rover day. Hoping to see as many of you in the stands with your santa hats or suits on.

My lot will be in town at The Red Lion for around 10am in full santa suits, hopefully see a few of you in there for a jar.

[selby]

I hope you have a great day Nudger, and we get three points we can celebrate

[steve@dcfd]

Listen to Thierry Henry last night he was talking about Arsenal attacking. How the players on the left don’t use their speed and take the safe option and pass backwards or give the ball to Saka and he’s closely marked all the time.

So looking at us our wide left players or attacking player down the middle do not drive with the ball and give a good pass. They end most time giving to Molyneux who is marked by two defenders all the time .
If Gibson and Hurst are to improve they need to drive with the ball quickly snd find a good pass to the strikers i( whoever plays) our play around the box is to slow.
Although Biggins was never brilliant in the games from January he use to drive forward either with or without the ball get on the end of good passes. Now Sbarra doesn’t do that . Clifton try’s and Hurst could but he’s not consistent with his decision making or shooting.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Feels like a must win. Anything less further sews the seeds of doubt. Back to basics with sheer hard work with key players always trying to find space. We've been tending to drop too deep at home so I feel we have to push up more consistently to make sure those big gaps between the lines don't appear.

[donnyguy]

According to bbc weather at mo game should be played in winds 40mph +

[LincolnDonny]

It was going to be difficult as it was a 12.30pm KO.
As i would have to get my Pammy up at 5.30am for her care needs, as we would need to leave Lincoln at 10.30am to be sure of getting there at least 30 mins before to park in the disabled bay west side.

But sadly my health took a knock last friday early in the morning at 1.30am ...........

Seems i have a bladder infection ..those that know 1 of the symptoms will understand the scare i had for over a day .
Its taken it out of me somewhat and don't feel well enough to go, I have had to "plod on" with my carer duties with my Pammy still but she comes first everytime.

I have put Donny down to win ........let it be saturday .......and lets get the season back on track.

THAT will put a big smile on our faces.

I look back to the friendly we had before the season started where we played HULL.
We ran rings around them ....i know most were their reserves etc but who cares......

BUT I remember turning to Pammy and saying ..............OH MY GOD ...........if this is how we are going to play this season ..we will break all records for goals,  wins ,...................... and loss of voices as screaming with joy.

COME ON LADS put a smile back on our faces ....and for our other supporters near and far including SPILSBY RED

[mushRTID]

It’s vital for confidence we don’t concede first again.
Surely we have to take the game to a team at home at last.
Concede first and it’s “here we go again”.
Score first and we will get a few.

[mattco]

I see the ref is the American who erroneously sent off our keeper against Gillingham last seaso .

[Pancho Regan]

According to bbc weather at mo game should be played in winds 40mph +

BBC weather now saying only "moderate breeze" until 4.00pm

[andy didcott]

3-1.

[selby]

 Just win, how does not matter.

[ForsolongaRover]

Listen to Thierry Henry last night he was talking about Arsenal attacking. How the players on the left don’t use their speed and take the safe option and pass backwards or give the ball to Saka and he’s closely marked all the time.

So looking at us our wide left players or attacking player down the middle do not drive with the ball and give a good pass. They end most time giving to Molyneux who is marked by two defenders all the time .
If Gibson and Hurst are to improve they need to drive with the ball quickly snd find a good pass to the strikers i( whoever plays) our play around the box is to slow.
Although Biggins was never brilliant in the games from January he use to drive forward either with or without the ball get on the end of good passes. Now Sbarra doesn’t do that . Clifton try’s and Hurst could but he’s not consistent with his decision making or shooting.

I don’t see all the games, but I don’t entirely agree about Fleming and Gibson. Maybe progress is slower as defensive pressure increases, but its my impression that they move the ball positively at least to be level with the box at which point they tend to work inwards rather than keeping wide. Down the right with Sterry or Emmanuel, progress is often more direct with Molyneux involved obviously. Up the middle without Clifton and Kelly we are soggy. Sbarra is easily dispossessed and is not skilful enough to compensate for his lack of power. Midfield caution, epitomised by Close, just allows the opposition to redeploy.

[ncRover]

Few injuries for them:

Regan Hendry - in midfield. Thought he looked a good player when we played them before.

Luke Norris - their target man. So if they go more direct we should deal with it.

[mushRTID]

Loads of positives and a few negatives from that.
A relief though to get back to winning ways at home.
Kelly, Broadbent and Olowu very good.
Roll on Walsall.

[moses]

I thought Fleming was very good today. Particularly first half. Gets some stick but keeps going forward.

[Spilsby Red]

Perfect tonic today. We should have had more but 3-1. Home win.
Thanks to everyone for all the messages on my update title. You make me feel good and what a great club/supporters we have. I have a bit of a journey ahead. Unfortunately can’t attend any matches for a while. But I am there in spirit