By Joe Torpey
August 3 2017
A look ahead to Rovers' opening game of the season which comes in the shape of a long trip to Torquay United on Saturday....
The Superwhite Army have a long journey for the opening fixture of the 2017/18 season. Plainmoor, the home of Torquay United, is situated on the English Riviera and is a ten hour round trip from Birkenhead - not the ideal way to start the season some might say. But with the school holidays in full swing and a huge Southern division of our fanbase, a good following is expected to cheer the boys on.
Team news is a bit difficult to predict for the first game of the season. For Tranmere, the only certainties are that Wallace, Kirby, Tollitt and Waring won't feature due to injury. Apart from that, pre-season saw a variety of partnerships and formations so I suppose we will have to wait until 2.15 pm on Saturday to find out the exact details.
As for Torquay, a lot of new arrivals in their squad suggests they will need a bit of time to gel together. But with the addition of the experienced Rory Fallon and Jon-Paul Pittman up front, they have the experience to pull the strings and help the team find its feet.
The Bookies have got Tranmere down as odds-on favourites to win the game with the home team at a long price (16/5) to gain the victory. Largely this is down to last season’s finishing positions (2nd compared to 17th) but Torquay should not be under estimated.
The Gulls finished last season with three wins and a draw in the final 6 games and the corresponding fixture was a physical encounter, resulting in a 0-0 draw. The game at Prenton Park was also a close affair last season with two goals from Andy Mangan helping Tranmere to a narrow 2-1 win.
All in all then it's a challenging game to open up the campaign with but the mantra from Mickey Mellon of building on last season and always looking to improve, we should be heading to the south coast with confidence. As title contenders, it is simply a game we should be looking to win.
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Quote:RonnyBE
I'm mainly curious on what line-up we will appear in - will Mellon stand by the Fleetwood eleven that did so well?
Quote:mini_andy
I think the starting 11 will be something like:
Davies
Buxton McNulty McEveley
Dunn Ridehalgh
Norburn Hughes
Jennings Norwood
Alabi
Quote:jonesy792
Davies
Buxton Mcnulty Sutton Ridehalgh
Norburn Harris
C Jennings
Norwood Cook Alabi
Quote:whats the odds not really a betting man so if I was to throw £20 down what would I get in return 👍853OKG
First time for a while i cannot make first game of the season but will go to the next two home games. Hope those spending nights csmping sre rewarded with a thumping Tranmere win. I amoff to do my annuall bet on them being champions. Got to win sometime!
Quote:[m.oddschecker.com]WozzaQuote:whats the odds not really a betting man so if I was to throw £20 down what would I get in return 👍853OKG
First time for a while i cannot make first game of the season but will go to the next two home games. Hope those spending nights csmping sre rewarded with a thumping Tranmere win. I amoff to do my annuall bet on them being champions. Got to win sometime!
Quote:hong kong rover
last time I can recall having 2 sent off was at prenton against that disgraceful Lincoln side in late 80s
Quote:Hoots MonQuote:hong kong rover
last time I can recall having 2 sent off was at prenton against that disgraceful Lincoln side in late 80s
Didn't we win that 1-0
Quote:BELMONT
Could this sending off be the pattern for the season for other teams, rough us up a bit to try get players sent off or stop us playing football. If it is it's seems to be working so far.
Quote:2 the moon
Just seen a video of the sending off. First impression AND I COULD BE WRONG looks like a blatant elbow from Norwood and a deserved straight red
Quote:Viking TranmereQuote:2 the moon
Just seen a video of the sending off. First impression AND I COULD BE WRONG looks like a blatant elbow from Norwood and a deserved straight red
is there a link?
Quote:Viking Tranmere
Away from our game, Wrexham got 6100 fans, although they lost.
Quote:2 the moon
Just seen a video of the sending off. First impression AND I COULD BE WRONG looks like a blatant elbow from Norwood and a deserved straight red
Quote:OnelastroverQuote:2 the moon
Just seen a video of the sending off. First impression AND I COULD BE WRONG looks like a blatant elbow from Norwood and a deserved straight red
I've seen it and it looks a pretty blatant elbow. As much as we'd like to blame the referee utterly pathetic discipline and the selfish braindead actions of two players have probably cost us a win.
What was promising at least is that even with 9 men we sounded like the better team whereas last year we crumbled after every sending off.
Quote:Hoots Mon
I've just looked at this refs stats. It appears that he refereed no less than FIVE Torquay home games last which I find astounding.
Quote:it was on the TRSA Facebook page. Someone was streaming the 2nd half. Skip to 39 mins. Think Ian Goodison at Bradford is the best I can explain itViking TranmereQuote:2 the moon
Just seen a video of the sending off. First impression AND I COULD BE WRONG looks like a blatant elbow from Norwood and a deserved straight red
is there a link?
Quote:jonesy792
Norwood red card could be blessing in disguise. I'm really starting to think he's part of the problem rather than the solution to our present plight.
Misses too many chances and has other flaws in game.
I'd have started Cook and Alabi.
Whatever the issue is between Mellon and Cook it needs to be sorted. Put egos aside and start Cook for the benefit of the club.
Quote:2 the moonQuote:it was on the TRSA Facebook page. Someone was streaming the 2nd half. Skip to 39 mins. Think Ian Goodison at Bradford is the best I can explain itViking TranmereQuote:2 the moon
Just seen a video of the sending off. First impression AND I COULD BE WRONG looks like a blatant elbow from Norwood and a deserved straight red
is there a link?
Quote:Robbie126Quote:jonesy792
Norwood red card could be blessing in disguise. I'm really starting to think he's part of the problem rather than the solution to our present plight.
Misses too many chances and has other flaws in game.
I'd have started Cook and Alabi.
Whatever the issue is between Mellon and Cook it needs to be sorted. Put egos aside and start Cook for the benefit of the club.
I think Cook & Alabi could be a dream team. Give them a bit of decent service and the goals will pour in. I also think Hughes is part of the problem, no creativity and caught in possession far too often. Norburn, Kirby and Jennings in midfield for me.
Quote:pez
I think Micky's starting lineup dilemma has been clarified today!
Alabi and Cook all day long, Norwood tries very hard but doesn't deliver that game changing moment whereas the other two do.
Another one on one went begging today and that should have well been addressed in the closed season.
Don't get me wrong, Norwood works his socks off, but unless he addressed his ineptitude in front of goal, he may well find himself sitting it out on the bench!
I wasn't there today, but I believe the sending offs were very controversial?
Quote:hong kong roverQuote:Hoots Mon
I've just looked at this refs stats. It appears that he refereed no less than FIVE Torquay home games last which I find astounding.
5 torquay home games last season hoots?
Quote:Robbie126
I would leave Hughes on the bench as I dont think he offers much, no creativity.
Quote:DCTRFC
Alabi was poor and Cook seemed a revelation when he came on but he did look shattered after the 20 mins he had been on.
Torquay looked awful going forwards with only the full backs throw ins and the occasional foray forwards from Jake Gosling causing concern. Their striker Keating was dreadful but managed to wind Steve up sufficiently. The Torquay fans I saw after the game couldn't believe we kept a player like Cook on the bench for 74 minutes. McEvely looked solid as did Sutton when he came on.
On a side note I was chatting to my mate Jake Gosling from Torquay after the game and he also said he was suprised how poor Alabi was.
Had a nice suprise too the entire team and MM came out (bar Steve and Nors who must have already been on the bus) and posed for photos with my lad and took time to talk about the game. My lad was blown away. Mangan even rushed back in to get the lads to all sign a programme for him. Norburn said he was frustrated coming off but understood why and Jack Dunn said the game wasn't set up for him to come on which suggests MM will be using him when he thinks we need to run directly at the opposition. Tranmere squad with Ethan
Quote:bheadlad
Encouraging to keep it scoreless and even having chances after sending offs
It will take a few games to get going and hopefully should get better once we win to start momentum
Quote:mini_andy
As aside note. Some of our 'fans' threw items onto the pitch during the first sending off. Nice work nob heads!
Quote:rover87
Cook and Mangan for me up top on tuesday, big fan of Norwoods work rate let himself down today though Mangan also a hard worker would like to see him get a run of games and get some match sharpness.
Quote:Hoots MonQuote:DCTRFC
Alabi was poor and Cook seemed a revelation when he came on but he did look shattered after the 20 mins he had been on.
Torquay looked awful going forwards with only the full backs throw ins and the occasional foray forwards from Jake Gosling causing concern. Their striker Keating was dreadful but managed to wind Steve up sufficiently. The Torquay fans I saw after the game couldn't believe we kept a player like Cook on the bench for 74 minutes. McEvely looked solid as did Sutton when he came on.
On a side note I was chatting to my mate Jake Gosling from Torquay after the game and he also said he was suprised how poor Alabi was.
Had a nice suprise too the entire team and MM came out (bar Steve and Nors who must have already been on the bus) and posed for photos with my lad and took time to talk about the game. My lad was blown away. Mangan even rushed back in to get the lads to all sign a programme for him. Norburn said he was frustrated coming off but understood why and Jack Dunn said the game wasn't set up for him to come on which suggests MM will be using him when he thinks we need to run directly at the opposition. Tranmere squad with Ethan
Good post. Nice photos.
Quote:ming05
http://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/match-info/match-centre/1-2849417
Quote:mini_andy
The Buxton tackle happened right in front of me (and the linesman) What a tackle!! Then the player did his fake collapsing so the ref stopped it (no foul given). Then it just got silly. Buxton was booked for the non foul, McNulty decided to push their gobby striker and got a second yellow. Stupid decision from the captain. From that moment the plot was lost, every dubious tackle the players were going down like they'd been shot (including ours). The ref totally lost control.
Motm was Buxton for me. Solid at the back, good going forward, great set pieces, closest to scoring and knocked one of their players into next week.
Quote:Hoots MonQuote:mini_andy
The Buxton tackle happened right in front of me (and the linesman) What a tackle!! Then the player did his fake collapsing so the ref stopped it (no foul given). Then it just got silly. Buxton was booked for the non foul, McNulty decided to push their gobby striker and got a second yellow. Stupid decision from the captain. From that moment the plot was lost, every dubious tackle the players were going down like they'd been shot (including ours). The ref totally lost control.
Motm was Buxton for me. Solid at the back, good going forward, great set pieces, closest to scoring and knocked one of their players into next week.
It's been posted elsewhere[by someone who posts on here] that Buxton is ''a sending off waiting to happen '' and ''if we risk him''
Quote:Jack of all Trades
Just noticed the referee against Woking is one Karl Evans, the same official who sent Adam Buxton off against Bromley for a similar "meaty tackle"
I think MM needs to remind him of this, as no doubt similar tackling will probably be dealt with in the same way.
In my mind the two points dropped at Torquay last season along with the two points dropped against Bromley, from a comfortable 2.0 lead, were what cost us IMO the Championship.
Quote:mini_andy
Just back after a ice meal on the seafront. Well that was entertaining!
I take back what I said about McEveley when he signed. He's a touch of class. Once he's fully match fit he'll be spot on. Great signing!
We started the game well, Norwood had a great chance after a couple of minutes. I wasn't keen on the formation and it didn't really work. Jennings isn't effective out wide, he needs to be behind the strikers. Alabi was pretty isolated up top. We were trying to play some good stuff, but dare I say it, our match sharpness wasn't there. Norburn is skillfull, but will talk his way into a lot of bookings.
0-0 was a fair reflection at half team. Neither side deserved the lead.
The Buxton tackle happened right in front of me (and the linesman) What a tackle!! Then the player did his fake collapsing so the ref stopped it (no foul given). Then it just got silly. Buxton was booked for the non foul, McNulty decided to push their gobby striker and got a second yellow. Stupid decision from the captain. From that moment the plot was lost, every dubious tackle the players were going down like they'd been shot (including ours). The ref totally lost control.
Norwood was stupid. He went in with his elbow, so fully deserved his red.
Can't really judge the performance after that, we just had to hold on. I thought everyone did well today. Alabi needed players close to him, and the ball to his feet. He won't win many headers.
Motm was Buxton for me. Solid at the back, good going forward, great set pieces, closest to scoring and knocked one of their players into next week.
On to Tuesday.
Quote:Phil65Quote:mini_andy
Just back after a ice meal on the seafront. Well that was entertaining!
I take back what I said about McEveley when he signed. He's a touch of class. Once he's fully match fit he'll be spot on. Great signing!
We started the game well, Norwood had a great chance after a couple of minutes. I wasn't keen on the formation and it didn't really work. Jennings isn't effective out wide, he needs to be behind the strikers. Alabi was pretty isolated up top. We were trying to play some good stuff, but dare I say it, our match sharpness wasn't there. Norburn is skillfull, but will talk his way into a lot of bookings.
0-0 was a fair reflection at half team. Neither side deserved the lead.
The Buxton tackle happened right in front of me (and the linesman) What a tackle!! Then the player did his fake collapsing so the ref stopped it (no foul given). Then it just got silly. Buxton was booked for the non foul, McNulty decided to push their gobby striker and got a second yellow. Stupid decision from the captain. From that moment the plot was lost, every dubious tackle the players were going down like they'd been shot (including ours). The ref totally lost control.
Norwood was stupid. He went in with his elbow, so fully deserved his red.
Can't really judge the performance after that, we just had to hold on. I thought everyone did well today. Alabi needed players close to him, and the ball to his feet. He won't win many headers.
Motm was Buxton for me. Solid at the back, good going forward, great set pieces, closest to scoring and knocked one of their players into next week.
On to Tuesday.
By the way mini_andy, did your son have the full orange goalkeepers kit on?
Quote:Phil65
Just returned from my camping expedition in Torquay and have had time to digest and rationalise the events at Plainmoor. The following is therefore presented in a calm and considered tone: "The Deranged Clown From Ghandy's Circus Strikes Again" would be an appropriate title (for those who remember his antics at Prenton Park last season). The clown officially goes by the name of Samuel Allison, although he he has previously used the aliases of Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles and Blind Lemon Jefferson. Mr Allison has clearly been in exile in the English Riviera; obviously couldn't afford the French equivalent on Ghandy's wages or indeed his duplicitous masquerading as a football referee (without doubt the worst I have seen on the evidence of his performances involving TRFC). In my eyes there is only one reason he is still a referee at this level................(the referees association are all clowns so he is one of their own; sweaty palm time there as I could feel the racism card being brandished). Don't get me wrong, he didn't cost us the three points, we were actually better with 10/9 men. However, he did ruin the occasion; an occasion that cost me an arm and a leg. Well at least I still have my eyesight so chew on that Mr Allison. To be fair, he was ably assisted by his assistant who saw all (99% of it being wrong; he did spot Norwood's elbow and the correct decision was made). Mr Allison at least heard the call from his assistant so his ears are in fine working order! Can we just rewind to Buxton's tackle; perfect for those who were there. Mr Allison played on, only to be corrected by the assistant who failed to graduate from clown school so wanted to make a show of his esteemed entertainer friend. Buxton was then wrongly booked and before the free kick had been taken McNulty received a second card for splitting up the handbags. "Roll up, roll up. The circus is in town". I blame the Torquay officials who should have suspected something when the crazy green wig, red nose and size 18 clown shoes were spotted before kick off in the referees changing room. Back to the football; Buxton was excellent for most of the game and unlucky with his free kick that hit the bar. McEveley looked a good solid defender. Norburn looked bright to begin with but then drifted. I thought Harris had a quiet game, but to be expected perhaps. Alabi needs more support around him; his control did let him down. Norwood quiet and the elbow was stupid. I agree about the idiots throwing bottles on the pitch at their goalkeeper Clarke, but Clarke's behaviour after McNulty's sending off was despicable, running virtually the whole length of the pitch celebrating and windmilling his arms to get the Torquay fans going; totally unprofessional and inciteful (I'd be utterly ashamed if any of our players behaved like that; to repeat, bottle throwing was out of order). Mr Mellon, play 8 v Torquay at home and we'll do them!
Disclaimer: some of this post is tongue-in-cheek(leave that up to you) and posted by a tired and financially bereft man; no lawsuits or verbal hounding so please; any monetary donations PM me.
Quote:Hoots Mon
First useless fact of the new week
I believe Spencer Myers,the player who in my opinion cost us promotion last season by breaking Vaughan's leg and stopping us from playing 3-5-2 at Wembley,was born in Torquay.
Quote:Hoots Mon
The ref Sam Allison who sent off McNulty and Norwood ,sent off two Wrexham players in three minutes today.
Quote:Hoots Mon
The ref Sam Allison who sent off McNulty and Norwood ,sent off two Wrexham players in three minutes today.
Quote:ADD
This may all be true Phil 65 and I agree he was completely useless with his own version of the laws of the game in that he decides to issue a yellow card even tho he hadn't originally even blown for a foul because he decides later it must have been a foul as the Torquay player was still rolling around on the ground BUT
Norwood was a straight red card any day of the week and McNulty also deserved a second yellow card for stupidly getting into a shoving match on the halfway line in front of the 4th official when he had already been booked.
In fact in that game he should have issued probably 2 more red cards - to their defender who was already on a yellow for squaring up to Norwood and as I recall (altho I have tried to forget this game) another of their players made a nasty challenge who had also been already booked...