As Tranmere travel to Forest Green on Tuesday evening keep up to date with the action and have your say on what’s unfolding with our Match Thread.......
After a long road trip broguth three more points for Rovers at Braintree on Saturday, Rovers are back at on the road again on Tuesday as they travel to face League leaders Forest Green Rovers. Tranmere will be looking to keep Micky Mellon's unbeaten League run going since he took over at Prenton Park in October.
Whether you are at the game or are following from somewhere else, why not discuss what you are seeing or hearing from the match as it progresses, using our Message Forum facility at the base of this story? Fans of both Tranmere and Forest Green are welcome to join in the discussion before, during and after the game.
Tranmere travel to Forest Green Rovers on Tuesday night
Also for anyone who is part of our Total Tranmere Prediction League, don't forget to make your prediction for this game by clicking on the 'Prediction League' option at the top of our left page menu and then clicking on 'My Predictions'. Any predictions made can be changed any time up until kick-off.
I think a lot will depend on who takes the field, Maynard and Tollit should come back in, and possibly Norwood too.
Looking at the FGR forum their fans are not at all confident of a win.
If we play like we did at Dover, no problem, but if it is like Braintree it will be tough, but we should battle out a win.
I have never seen the logic of the adage not to change a winning side.The challenge of winning at FGR is very different from that of winning at Braintree.
We need our strongest side and I would start with Norwood and Tollit replacing Mangan and Dawson. Would also start with Maynard.A draw would be a good result but it is a game that we could sneak
DevonExile I have never seen the logic of the adage not to change a winning side.The challenge of winning at FGR is very different from that of winning at Braintree.
We need our strongest side and I would start with Norwood and Tollit replacing Mangan and Dawson. Would also start with Maynard.A draw would be a good result but it is a game that we could sneak
I've never totally understood the logic either, to some extent it shows a lack of imagination from management, fara better to look at the opposition and the squad and pick the best 11 for the job, ideally with a plan B on the bench, particularly going forward. MM has made changes in each game, either by choice or tactics.
The bigger question is who replaces Vaughan at right back if his fifth card of the season is confirmed by the match report. The FA's disciplinary website is not right up to date but Vaughan in his post match interview thinks he's banned.
With Micky trying to win every game, I suspect that he will move Sutton to right back with Ihiekwe back to partner McNulty in the middle of the defence. Maynard to feature on the bench again methinks.
Micky has said previously that if a team wins, he will leave the team as is and I think this tells the players that have come in for injured and suspended players that they won't be straight out again irrespective of how well they play. This is a boost for all squad members and intensifies the fight for places.
Therefore he could well leave both Tollitt and Nors on the bench for the first hour at least and both Mangan and Dawson will know that they will have to perform really well to stay on the pitch at the New Lawn. Tollitt and Nors are not a bad pairing to make in a double substitution if the momentum of the game needs changing! Hot on the heels of their shock defeat to Lincoln (in that they were winning after 89 minutes) they could well be susceptible to such irrepressible attacks in the second half.
Psychologically, a win here could really harm FGR as due to their bringing forward the North Ferriby match a few weeks ago, after Tuesday they find themselves with an away game at Wrexham next Saturday and then only one more league game before Christmas! We only have three ourselves after next Saturday but they have two blank weekends on FA Cup 2nd round day due to Eastleigh's continued involvement followed by an FA Trophy tie.
Interestingly before the game on Saturday, their manager, Cooper said that their weakness was that they are too ponderous at times when keeping possession (a bit like us under Brabin then!) and after the game he publically criticised one of his midfielders (Noble) for giving Lincoln their first goal. Mark Cooper has never managed a team to promotion before and he could really feel the pressure in this one. If anything it was HIS mistake that gave Lincoln that win as, like us against Chester, he moved to a three man defence just minutes before the chaos in FGR's penalty area led to the equaliser and subsequent winner. Could he be having doubts in his own mind about his and his team's ability to run the full course of the season out in front? Possibly not.
I'll be listening in on Wirral radio with all my fingers crossed for this one. It is the biggest battle of the two footballing sides in the league and whoever does come out on top will be set fair for the rest of the season. I'd be happy with a point though. 2-2.
I would certainly settle for a point! There was also talk after the match that Harris might be suspended for Tuesday but I am not so sure! I would definitely bring Maynard back and I fail to see how Dawson can start after such a poor game on Saturday. I would definitely start with Tollitt in the hope that he can terrify their defence!
This is our biggest test and it will be interesting to see what team Mickey puts out. Personally I can't see lightning striking in the same place twice after FGR's home defeat on Saturday, so a draw is looking likely.
A 1-0 is all that is required and if Cooper has doubts or is feeling the pressure at all, then maybe another defeat will see them have a wobble that could benefit Tranmere.
Then I ate his Liver.......... with some baked beans and a can of coke.
If Rovers are to win the league it's a must win game, have to show the intentions against the rivals. Lots to play for after Xmas so to reduce the gap to 6, makes things much easier an even better if we can win the game in hand. Points a good return though
gonna have to set the alarm here in hk for this one. can't miss this. will try and get to bed early tmrw night, get up for the game on the radio [ should get full match commentary ] then back to bed for about 2 hours.
Confirmation on the FA website, both Vaughan AND Harris suspended for this match. Hard to see how we can put a midfield together with both Steve Jennings and Harris absent that can out battle FGR. Hopefully Micky is on the phone today looking for a midfielder he can get on a last minute loan deal. Maynard and Hughes, although good in the roles they are given, do not fill me with confidence as a central midfield pairing.
Koppette Confirmation on the FA website, both Vaughan AND Harris suspended for this match. Hard to see how we can put a midfield together with both Steve Jennings and Harris absent that can out battle FGR. Hopefully Micky is on the phone today looking for a midfielder he can get on a last minute loan deal. Maynard and Hughes, although good in the roles they are given, do not fill me with confidence as a central midfield pairing.
If club secretaries are encouraged to use the FA website to see which players are suspended for which games then there could be some confusion around this as the FA's website does not always give consistent results. I've definitely seen both Vaughan and Harris suspended starting on 19/11 and ending on 22/11 (after the FGR game) but a lot of the time the request returns "No suspension records to display in this category". If we are docked three points for fielding an ineligible player, this post may be used as crucial evidence that the FA website is incorrect!
Absolutely hammering down in Stroud and no let up expected until Tuesday morning, could see this one being postponed, anyone making the trip would be well advised to confirm the game is going ahead.
With Vaughan suspended wouldn't Mitch come in, a midfield including Hughes and Maynard should be able to cope, so many attacking options the only one nailed on to start is Cook.
I think we would settle for a 1-1.
Higgosboots Don't see Harris and Jennings as a big loss.
That might be an unfortunate choice of words HB! No-one else in midfield does what Harris does. I thought with a (recent) full strength side we could get a good draw down there. We seem to be meeting teams that are reacting to a loss to Lincoln at the end of an unbeaten run lately. That reaction coupled with a weakened central midfield I think could result in us being overrun tomorrow. I'm now mentally preparing myself for "a big loss" . 3-0 FGR.
Higgosboots Don't see Harris and Jennings as a big loss.
That might be an unfortunate choice of words HB! No-one else in midfield does what Harris does. I thought with a (recent) full strength side we could get a good draw down there. We seem to be meeting teams that are reacting to a loss to Lincoln at the end of an unbeaten run lately. That reaction coupled with a weakened central midfield I think could result in us being overrun tomorrow. I'm now mentally preparing myself for "a big loss" . 3-0 FGR.
Well looking at there managers comments they are scared. There not a footballing side as we saw last year and will struggle to stick it out at the top, D & R are the danger this season. If it were me I wouldn't be selecting them anyway for tomorrow's game if they were available, FG are a strong side for that reason Maynard would start for me in alongide Hughes and Sutton. FG have two tactics bombard the 18 yard box from deep or knock it long into space over the top, so the midfield battle will be key, no space for short ass players in there IMO.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2016:11:21:20:44:10 by Higgosboots.
This is my home game for the season, so I'm buzzing for it. However, it has absolutely hammered down all day down here. Don't be too surprised if it's off.
Higgosboots Don't see Harris and Jennings as a big loss.
That might be an unfortunate choice of words HB! No-one else in midfield does what Harris does. I thought with a (recent) full strength side we could get a good draw down there. We seem to be meeting teams that are reacting to a loss to Lincoln at the end of an unbeaten run lately. That reaction coupled with a weakened central midfield I think could result in us being overrun tomorrow. I'm now mentally preparing myself for "a big loss" . 3-0 FGR.
Harris has been playing well, and does some great work at corners when positioned on the post. Maynard needs to come in to give some fight in midfield and Tollit will scare the living@#$%&out of them.
pez We have to try and keep Tollitt until the end of the season.
He's pure class at this level and could be crucial to winning promotion.
There are few players at any level that when you see them get the ball you get out of your seat, he is one of them. I think with some guidance Mekki could fill the gap if we can't retain him until the end of the season. There are few thing more wonderful to watch than a winger in full flight, driving at the defenders and sending in a killer cross....Morrissey and Nevin were the two who I remember most
vitallincoln Every picture tells a story.
Mark Cooper's face during his post-match interview with BT was the kind of picture you want to enlarge and place on your mantelpiece. Green about the gills, sour as a sucked lemon, his omnipresent condescending smugness had been well and truly knocked into a red and white striped cocked hat. Incapable of being even a tiny bit magnanimous in defeat, Cooper was trying his utmost not to break down in front of the cameras and cry his eyes out. Instead of congratulating Lincoln on a terrific comeback - which is what Danny Cowley would have done had the boot been on the other foot - he chose to wade into poor Liam Noble as if it was entirely his fault. That little outburst reveals a manager entirely devoid of class. It also reveals a manager under extreme pressure. But if he thinks that his team lost because of one dodgy backpass, he is ignoring what was blatantly obvious to everyone else - that his team has serious problems when attacked and appears perilously close to spineless in the face of a team that wants it more. That does not bode well for Mr Vince's eco-children or for Mr Cooper: perhaps he realises that his notorious five-year deal may actually be dependent on year 2 beginning in League 2.
Now watch Sean Raggett's face when he scored, and the sheer ecstasy of his celebration with the Imps fans behind the goal. Twelve points had become nine points had become six in the space of two glorious minutes, and Lincoln were determined to enjoy every moment of it. Furthermore, compare the confidence oozing from every pore of Raggett and skipper Luke Waterfall when speaking to BT to the face we began this piece with - the sickly-looking Mark Cooper. There could not be a greater visual contrast, but perhaps those faces revealed more than just the story of a match won and lost. How Forest Green react to this may well define their season, and Lincoln's. One thing is for sure: Tranmere Rovers will have looked on with extreme interest.
Maybe the bigger match of the next month will be when we visit Sincil Bank on Dec 17th?
Rain has eased, NO pitch inspection planned by FGR so expect game to be on but a heavy pitch, sort of takes some of the skill out of the game.
Still check before you leave but weather forcast looking ok from this afternoon onwards.
Looks like its going to be their biggest gate of the season, if you are driving there be warned that parking can be a problem, the school next to the ground has parking, think its about a fiver, but don't expect to get a drink as I recall huge queues at the bar, I won't even mention the food. Can also be a pain getting out of the ground.
I should try and park in Nailsworth and go for food and drink in the town, its only a 10 minute walk (uphill).
Looking at their forum they are worried about us, after we battered them last season I'm not surprised
swa
It sounds like Hughes and Kirby in midfield are too lightweight. The commentary on Merseyside are calling for substitutions but I can't see how we can shore that department up without Harris or Jennings.
We are getting absolutely hammered. If it wasn't us at the other end of it, then I would be quiet enjoying watching Forest Green! 2 fast wingers followed up by 2 fast full backs.
We can't cope at all. I can't even see how we can change it, but tollit isn't offering Ridehalgh or Ihiekwi any support.
decent point in what sounded like a really exciting game. seemed like a real turnaround at half time and we could have won it. certainly FGR have been stopped in their tracks over the past 4 days.. Lincoln win 4-1 away at York. not happening for gary mills.
Fair play to Micky, a combination of his half time team talk, substitutions, and a possible tactical tweak seemed to counter the momentum that FGR had built up in the first half. I really didn't think they had it in them to do that but if we've had our fair share of injuries in the first half of the season we could really push on after Christmas. With Lincoln winning 4-1 at York, I'm not even sure FGR are the biggest threat to that one promotion spot now!
pez We have to try and keep Tollitt until the end of the season.
He's pure class at this level and could be crucial to winning promotion.
There are few players at any level that when you see them get the ball you get out of your seat, he is one of them. I think with some guidance Mekki could fill the gap if we can't retain him until the end of the season. There are few thing more wonderful to watch than a winger in full flight, driving at the defenders and sending in a killer cross....Morrissey and Nevin were the two who I remember most
A combination of 5 words very rarely if ever previously seen together, Full flight Morrisey and Nevin. Best wingers we've ever had put the original purveyor's of walking football.
OK, it's a good result but what concerns me a bit is that the players, the captain and so on weren't able to sort themselves out in the first half. From what I heard on Wirral FM we were poor, we could have stopped them from playing the way they did. All credit to MM who could see what was wrong and changed what he had to to sort it.
We need some better defenders ,the lack of goals is going a long way to being sorted ,a couple more defenders to cover plan b ,Hughes booked again tonight ,next on the list for a ban ,a good point I would have settled for that this morning
Sounded from the commentary like it was a point won rather than two lost a draw away is a good result. I take positives from the result, we scored two goals, one of them from midfield, having gone behind twice came back, that shows some real character. There were also what would be considered 4 starting players out, so there is some depth in the squad. The substitutions and tactical changes at half time show some good management.
Great point considering it sounded like they could of had a hat full. Really pleased with how we finished and indeed could/should of nicked it. Last season we were running out of gas in the last ten mins so this is a massive positive. Well done to the lads and the fans that travelled. Down to 5th as everyone else won but still right in there.
Absolutely brilliant second half. Man for man we won the battle. Jeff Hughes bossed the game, Maynard battled for everything, I can't fault a single player in the second half.
Both teams could have won it, end to end action. The best game I've seen in a very long time.
Nice finish from Nors for the equaliser. His post match quote was, "I spent four years here trying to tell them I'm a striker!"
Looking forward to the highlights coming up on Tranmere player to see some of the misses. You could tell that Micky was biting his tongue over one or two of them but was clearly disappointed that we hadn't scored a winner.
Also, while you're on you tube, have a look at last season's highlights at FGR we looked really good. Compare it to the Sutton game!
Interestingly despite the feel that we have a relatively (in relation to the Micky Adams era at least) settled side, only three of the starters in last year's game started in this one. Davies, Ridealgh and Maynard. That surprised me.
mini_andy Absolutely brilliant second half. Man for man we won the battle. Jeff Hughes bossed the game, Maynard battled for everything, I can't fault a single player in the second half.
Both teams could have won it, end to end action. The best game I've seen in a very long time.
Your last comments are echoed on the FGR forum (me and other teams forums!!). A number of complimentary comments and a fair reflection of the game make it interesting reading and reflects well on us. To be fair they seem to have well-balanced, civilised and honest contributors (just lik us!). An excellent point in the end yesterday against a strong Forest Green side. Well done to all those who travelled. Would love to have been a fly on the wall for Mickey's half-time "chat"! I think we showed our character in the second half and that we should have complete faith in Mickey "Messiah" Mellon!
A result I think we would have taken before the match. Well played Rovers. Great credit to the SWA following who made the journey midweek on a cold winter's night. Great support!
Yes great following from the rovers fans.. it looked to me that there were more rovers fans there than what lincoln had last saturday. Mind you, the FGR v Lincoln game was live on tv.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2016:11:24:06:35:50 by hong kong rover.
Just watched the highlights. When there are 8 minutes, you know it must have been a good game. FGR looked impressive with what is evidently a settled squad if not side (not sure how many changes from their game against Lincoln). I think that given the suspensions and injuries, Tranmere has done remarkably well and I think it can only get better when everyone available. Just think our strikers should "do an Aldridge" and spend hours on shooting practice. Quite a few chances missed although excellent build up to the chances.
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