By Matthew Jones
September 3 2009

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Double Hit:

Defender David Raven represented Tranmere during the 2005/06 season before joining Carlisle United, then in their first season in League One.

Raven started his career with Tranmere Rovers a youngster before joining Liverpool at the age of 14. Originally an attacker, Raven converted to a defender whilst at Anfield and he made four appearances for the Reds in his time there.

Whilst at Anfield, Raven was also the reserve and youth team captain, winning a number of trophies for his club as well as international honours at school boy level for England.

In January 2006, Raven fulfilled a life long dream as the former Tranmere Rovers season ticket holder joined the club on loan and made his debut in a 1-0 defeat at home to Barnsley.

Raven went on to make eleven appearances for Tranmere, all in the league, under manager Brian Little before returning to Liverpool at the end of the season when his loan spell expired.

As Brian Little left the club, his chances of signing for Rovers permanently appeared to dissapear and in July 2006, having been released by Liverpool, he signed for Carlisle United on a free transfer.

The 24 year old has now made 140 appearances for the Cumbrian side, scoring just the once. Playing at either centre back or right-back, Raven is still with Carlisle and has been a solid, consistent performer for the club through-out his time at Brunton Park.

Graham Kavanagh is Carlisle's 'One to Watch'

One To Watch:

Experienced central midfield Graham Kavanagh has now been at Carlisle United for nearly a year, having joined the club on-loan in October of last year.

A former Republic of Ireland international, Kavanagh started his career in his home country, before moving to Middlesbrough in 1991.

After failing to get a good run in the first team at Middlesbrough, Kavanagh moved to Stoke City after an initial loan spell with club for £250,000.

It was at Stoke City where Kavanagh's career kick started, as the midfielder stayed with Potters for five years, playing a major role for the club over the next half decade.

He made nearly 250 appearances for the club, scoring nearly 50 goals, before moving to Cardiff City in 2001 for £1,000,000.

With the Bluebirds, again Kavanagh excelled in the centre of the park, playing over 150 games for the club in both Divisions One and Two.  He was a key man in Cardiff's midfield and scored 31 goals.

It was when Kavanagh left Cardiff in 2006 that his career began to go down hill, however, as after a move to Wigan, which saw him have a successful season in the Premier League, he joined Sunderland, his career began to stall.

Failing to ever get a good run in the first team, Kavanagh had two loan spells at Sheffield Wednesday before joining Cardiff on loan in October 2008, joining the club permanently in January 2009.

A goalscoring and goal creating midfielder, Kavanagh, who has won 14 caps for Ireland, has played 34 games for the Cumbrian side and, aged 35, has proved he is still a player very capable of playing at League One level.

Around League One:

There are two teams in Coca Cola League One who still have 100% records in Leeds United and Charlton Athletic, and each side has home matches this weekend, with table topping Charlton hosting fifth placed Brentford and second placed Leeds United taking on Stockport County at Elland Road.

Aidy Boothroyd's first match as Colchester United manager is away to Southampton, who remain bottom of League One on -7 points, whilst second bottom Brighton host Wycombe.

On Friday night, Oldham host Hartlepool and Southend take on Leyton Orient, with all four teams currently occupying places in mid-table.

Third placed MK Dons are at home to fourth placed, big spending Huddersfield Town in the game of the weekend in League One, whilst elsewhere Yeovil host Swindon Town in a West Country derby.

Marlon Broomes Could make His League Debut for Rovers

Team News:

Tranmere Rovers are once again without striker Bas Savage, who is out until February with an ankle injury, though he is the club's only injury worry ahead of the game.  John Barnes could hand Marlon Broomes his league debut, after the centre back signed a one year contract with the club on Tuesday, whilst Michael Ricketts may make his full debut for the club.

However, the mystery surrounding striker Kitson Bain remains, with Barnes promising the striker would be at the club by Tuesday, though fans are, as yet, to hear anything about the Grenedan's arrival.

Jones' Prediction:  Carlisle United 2-1 Tranmere

If Tranmere are to win this game, then, in my opinion, they absolutely must make changes to the side that lost 4-0 against Charlton lost weekend, starting with the midfield.

Mahon and Shuker have both struggled on the wings for Rovers, and whilst Mahon may well suit a move into the centre, where he is better placed to both create and score goals, manager John Barnes may well be well advised to drop Shuker.

Ryan Fraughan has proved that he is capable of playing at this level when he has come on as a substitute so far this season, whilst youngster Charlie Barnett is also waiting for his chance this campaign.

McLaren and Welsh have proved in the centre that they will struggle to create much this season, especially if they continue to sit deep, as John Barnes instructs them too, and as such playing somebody like Mahon in the centre may well help.

If Tranmere are to get anything, then the midfield must start providing chances for the strikers, who we know are well capable of scoring goals, should they get the opportunities.

Tranmere also need to sure up in defence, where they have been leaking goals recently, and the addition of Marlon Broomes in defence should help, with his experience, height and ability looking likely to be more than useful.

Rovers though have seriously struggled in recent weeks, and unless they put in the effort and commitment on Saturday, they will once again come away empty handed, regardless of what the tactics are.