Tranmere Rovers
Match Preview: Forest Green Rovers v Tranmere Rovers
By Louise Formston
October 15 2015
As Tranmere prepare for their first ever meeting with and visit to Forest Green Rovers on Saturday afternoon, Louise Formston returns with her match preview ahead of the game.....
After two home games on the bounce, Tranmere travel south to face another Rovers team aiming for promotion this year. The two sides have never met before and this is set to be a good test for The Whites who’ve been struggled the last week or so.
Form Guide:
Despite achieving some consistency with results over the last few weeks, Brabin’s men have fallen to two defeats one after another inside the last seven days. During these last two games Rovers have only managed to score the one goal (a Steve Jennings consolation late on in Saturday’s game against Eastleigh) and with key players struggling with injuries this lack of goals may prove to be our downfall.
Having said that, Forest Green have also lacked a cutting edge over the last few weeks. After a record-breaking start with nine wins out of nine, The Green went on to lose three of their next five games, drawing the other two. Despite that, they still remain top of the National League Table with thirty-five points. Since their rocky patch, FGR have won two and lost one (against Eastleigh on Tuesday’s night) so there’s hope for Rovers’ fans who may have started to doubt the team after a few poor results.
Injuries and Suspensions:
Where do we start with Tranmere? The bad news is that Andy Mangan and Adam Dawson are both unlikely to be fit for the weekend, with the latter potentially out for up to twelve weeks depending on the results of further scans being undertaken this week. Having bumped into Dawson in Nandos earlier in the week, he did look like he had a pretty bad limp as he walked so here’s hoping the scans show he’ll be back sooner rather than later. The good news is that Lois Maynard returns from suspension this Saturday and should take his place back in the starting eleven. Both Michael Ihiekwe and Marcus Holness took their places on the bench on Tuesday night so I’m assuming they are both now fit, if not almost close to full fitness.
Forest Green on the other hand have had their own injury problems of late. Jon Parkin missed out on the trip to Eastleigh on Tuesday after he picked up an injury the previous weekend but is expected to return for Saturday. James Jennings returned from a hamstring injury in the week and spent his night on the bench but may make the starting eleven on Saturday. Darren Jones meanwhile missed out on Tuesday’s trip and is not known if he’ll make Saturday’s game.
The Opposition Dugout:
FGR are currently managed by Ady Pennock, who’s been at the club since November 2013. A former footballer himself, Pennock started his career in 1989 at Norwich City, before moving to Bournemouth, Gillingham and eventually ending his playing days with Gravesend and Northfleet, retiring in 2005. Following retirement, Pennock went into management taking over at Welling United in 2006 and took them to their highest league position in six years. However, at the end of the season Pennock moved to Stoke City taking up a coaching position under former boss Tony Pulis (Pulis had managed Pennock at both Bournemouth and Gillingham).
Pennock stayed until 2013 but the call to be a first team Manager was too strong and he took over at FGR in 2013, with the club finishing 10th that season. Last season, Ady oversaw The Green’s promotion challenge with the club finishing in fifth but eventually losing in the play off semi-finals to Bristol Rovers. This season, FGR have started brightly (understatement of the year maybe?) and Ady’s already one won Manager of the Month award.
Ones To Watch:
After signing in the summer, Aaron O’Connor has quickly settled at Forest Green, scoring nine already this season. The 32-year old has played for a number of clubs in his time including Grays Athletic, Rushden and Diamonds and most recently Newport County. Whilst at Newport, O’Connor helped them end their 25-year absence from League Football, by scoring the second goal in their 2-0 win over Wrexham in the Conference Premier Play Off Final in 2013.
Other notable names at FGR include Keanu Marsh-Brown. The 23-year old received his football education at Fulham before signing for Oldham in 2012, then moving to Yeovil shortly after and then settling at Barnet in 2013. Despite being a defender Marsh-Brown’s already scored three this season and has been a consistent name on the team sheet. Marsh-Brown played against Rovers for both Oldham and Yeovil but it’s probably his appearance at Prenton Park for Yeovil he’ll wish to forget. Yeovil came in Prenton Park in October 2012 to face a Rovers’ side who were flying high in League One (yes that season!). Rovers won 3-2 with Marsh-Brown picking up a yellow card in the process.
Another name Rovers’ fans might remember is Tom Bender, who signed for The Green in February 2015 and helped FGR to the play offs - although he’s only made one appearance so far this season. Rovers’ last encounter with Tom Bender ended with him leaving the field in an ambulance after being knocked unconscious whilst playing for Stanley by his own keeper. The game was soon abandoned due to the severity of the injury and replayed at a later day. It’s good to see a horrible injury hasn’t put him off playing and since leaving Stanley, Bender played for Millwall and then Dartford.
Around the League:
Cheltenham vs Eastleigh: Cheltenham are closing in on top of the table whilst Eastleigh have found form of late, so much so they sit on twenty-seven points with Rovers.
Kidderminster vs Southport: A bottom of the table clash this weekend as both teams go in search of all three points. However given that Kiddy have yet to register a win this season maybe place your bets on Southport?
Lincoln City vs Braintree: Tranmere’s opponents in the FA Cup next week Lincoln City will play hosts to Braintree, who sit just above Tranmere in the League table.
My Starting XI:
Davies
Sutton Riley Hogan Hill
Mekki Harris Maynard Ridehalgh
Margetts Norwood
Whilst I don’t think Margetts impressed on Tuesday, with Mangan out and Stockton at Southport there’s not really any other option up front I don’t think? Maynard should come straight back into midfield – we’ve looked a lot better going forward with him in the side so maybe that will help Margetts. Ridehalgh and Mekki to remain on the wings, simply because I don’t rate Jackson and I hope Ridehalgh will helpfully provide some defensive cover down the wing.
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15/10/2015 23:39
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