Upcoming opponents - Tranmere Rovers

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Shade
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Location: Cheltenhamshire
Tranmere Rovers come to town for what is now a rare Friday night game at Whaddon Road. Managed by Nigel Adkins, "The Rovers" have won the third tier once (North, 1938)...and that's their only Football League triumph in their 140 year history, but they did win what is now the EFL Trophy in 1990. Other than three play-off wins (L1 1991, NL 2018, L2 2019), that's pretty much all they've won in 140 years. Seriously, we have had so much joy over the last 27 odd years, when compared to clubs who have spent decades longer in the Football League and just getting the odd 2nd, 3rd or play-off win, followed by a relegation, every 8-15 years. And people say WE'RE unambitious as a club...

Anyway, Tranmere currently sit 19th in League Two, with 4 wins, 5 draws and 5 losses, 10 goals for and 17 against. Scoring goals is obviously an issue for them (they're the lowest scorers by 4 goals)...and we've got the equal fourth worst defence in the division - I'll say no more about that. Rovers had a win in their last League game, which was on the 9th November, beating Newport, 2-1. Previous wins were back-to-back against Walsall (1-0, a game MF said Tranmere got battered in) and Carlisle (1-2) in August, and at Bromley (1-2) on 19th October. What stands out is that, apart from consecutive 3-0 away defeats at Gillingham and Colchester in September, all but two other games have finished with a 1 goal margin. There is no clear pattern in their stats - some games they have dominated the ball and possession, and won drawn or lost, and some games they have been dominated, and won, drawn or lost. Their current top scorer is Omari Patrick, with 4 goals in 14 appearances - an average of one goal every 272 minutes.

Players of note:
Kristian Dennis - 34yo striker, another one that we've faced dozens of time and still going. One L2 goal this season.
Connor Jennings - 33yo forward back at Tranmere for a third stint (I think), the 34 year old has faced us for them, Wrexham, possibly Grimsby, Macclesfield, Scunthorpe. Doesn't seem to have played this season, though.
Luke Norris - 31yo. Doesn't seem to have played this season... Seeing a couple of themes with their strikers? I think there's a clear reason why the team only have 10 goals so far this season.

Recent results:
2nd Apr 2024 - CTFC 4-0 TRFC - L2
19 Sep 2020 - TRFC 0-3 CTFC - L2
12 Jan 2019 - CTFC 1-3 TRFC - L2
11 Aug 2018 - TRFC 1-0 CTFC - L2

Overall (all comps): 9 wins, 2 draws, 6 losses. 23 goals for, 15 against.

Things of interest:
- There are three standout memories from two games when CTFC v TRFC is mentioned: that team/Holman free kick at Tranmere on our way to the NL title, then May's "Don't f#!$ stand up" after he scored and Callum "The Boy" Wright's phenomenal volley during the 4-0 Easter win live on Sky as we closed in on the L2 title.
- CTFC have won 7 of the last 10 meetings in all competitions since 17th March 2009.
- In those seven wins, Tranmere have only scored in one of them (2-3, Prenton Park, August 2014)! Tranmere have only scored in two of the 9 games they have lost against us, and we have scored 19 goals to 3 in those 9 games. Conversely, in the 6 games we have lost, the scoring is 9-1. Generally, if there's a winner...they usually win to 0.
- We were both relegated to the National League on the penultimate day of the 2014/15 season, CTFC 23rd, TRFC 24th.
- Players to have played for both clubs...name them below. I've decided this is a new weekly/bi-weekly quiz, because why not? :lol:
Last edited by Shade on 21 Nov 2024, 18:37, edited 1 time in total.
Fuller
Posts: 3664
Joined: 27 Jun 2012, 09:23
Jennings brother had a short spell with us in 2016 if I recall correctly?
Luke Norris has appeared at WR previously playing for Swindle and Colchester.
But I’ll have a think who played for both.
Jerry St Clair
Posts: 2705
Joined: 15 Aug 2011, 16:40
Referee Ruebyn Ricardo returns to Whaddon Road for the first time after taking charge of our opening day win against Newport.

He was excellent that day, particularly for our first goal where he played an advantage after a clear handball allowing Joel Colwill to score.

On Friday he’ll mostly be found prodding the frozen turf at the Whaddon Road End trying to decide if it’s safe to play football on.
Jerry St Clair
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Joined: 15 Aug 2011, 16:40
If Kristian Dennis, Connor Jennings or Matty Taylor get on the pitch at the same time can I put 50p on the commentator making a hilarious age-related joke about their combined age?
Robin
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Joined: 20 Nov 2009, 11:19
Any chance this game gets postponed with the recent snow and frost?
Warwickshire Robin
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Joined: 17 Aug 2021, 12:02
Robin wrote: 20 Nov 2024, 08:06 Any chance this game gets postponed with the recent snow and frost?
We'll be grand as long as we remembered to turn on the undersoil heating ;) :lol:
Si Robin
Posts: 6639
Joined: 20 Nov 2009, 10:29
On the photo the club took yesterday of the snow, it looked to me like the covers were on already. They give protection up to (should that be down to?) -7 degrees apparently, and it's not getting that cold at all. With the snow on top, that is probably now acting as another layer of warmth, so I think we should be ok come Friday evening
Jerry St Clair
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Joined: 15 Aug 2011, 16:40
Si Robin wrote: 20 Nov 2024, 08:59 On the photo the club took yesterday of the snow, it looked to me like the covers were on already. They give protection up to (should that be down to?) -7 degrees apparently, and it's not getting that cold at all. With the snow on top, that is probably now acting as another layer of warmth, so I think we should be ok come Friday evening
The last game postponed for a frozen pitch was, iirc, Sheffield Weds in January 2023 when the frost covers were down.

However, I think I recall the covers were put down too late, or maybe had to be removed because you can’t keep them down too long? There was a reason why they weren’t effective on that occasion anyway. Anyone recall?
Artemis
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Joined: 28 Dec 2009, 20:36
Lee Vaughan played for Tranmere after his spell with us.

Didn't we sign a midfielder who'd been at Tranmere. Good passer from memory, but forgettable name.
Si Robin
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Shade wrote: 19 Nov 2024, 21:00 - We were both relegated to the National League on the final day of the 2014/15 season, CTFC 23rd, TRFC 24th.
We were actually both relegated in the penultimate game of the season.

Kayode Odejayi and Martin Devaney played for both.
CTFC.Harry
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Joined: 26 Oct 2018, 14:07
Location: The Shire
Jerry St Clair wrote: 20 Nov 2024, 11:52
Si Robin wrote: 20 Nov 2024, 08:59 On the photo the club took yesterday of the snow, it looked to me like the covers were on already. They give protection up to (should that be down to?) -7 degrees apparently, and it's not getting that cold at all. With the snow on top, that is probably now acting as another layer of warmth, so I think we should be ok come Friday evening
The last game postponed for a frozen pitch was, iirc, Sheffield Weds in January 2023 when the frost covers were down.

However, I think I recall the covers were put down too late, or maybe had to be removed because you can’t keep them down too long? There was a reason why they weren’t effective on that occasion anyway. Anyone recall?
I recall that. As well as their fans having a good moan. Nice and sunny, and below freezing, on Friday and up to 15 degrees on Saturday. I'd make it 200/1 that it doesn't go ahead. Anyone fancy a quid on?
horlickfanclub
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Michael Ihiekwe played for both ,if my memory is working.
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Shade
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Feels like a must-win, with the run of League games coming up in December. The only one you'd look at and say we should be beating them in December and the first few games of January is Morecambe at home, on the 14th Dec.

As it stands, from 3rd Dec we're playing 1st (h), 3rd (a), 24th (h), 10th (a), 2nd(h), 6th(h), 1st(a), 4th(h), 8th(a).
RobinHood
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Joined: 29 May 2012, 23:23
Is this game not on Sky Sports + as can’t seem to see it scheduled? Seems strange that it isn’t and they would move a 3pm game in the future.
Si Robin
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Joined: 20 Nov 2009, 10:29
No - it was moved at Tranmere's request, so not picked for Sky Sports +
Warwickshire Robin
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RobinHood wrote: 22 Nov 2024, 09:03 Is this game not on Sky Sports + as can’t seem to see it scheduled? Seems strange that it isn’t and they would move a 3pm game in the future.
I don't think it was switched for TV. There was a statement from the club when a number of our fixtures were changed from Saturday 3pm ko's which said that "The Tranmere home fixture was switched as something of an experiment. Games under the lights at the EV Charger Points Stadium often create a special atmosphere and it was thought that playing at home on the Friday would give fans who work on a Saturday the opportunity to attend a home game.

It may allow groups of fans to come after finishing work as the weekend approached and also generate more commercial revenue as well as a bigger home gate (although it is acknowledged the away following may be reduced). Overall commercial consideration (both positive and negative) were therefore a factor in the agreement to switch".
RobinHood
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Joined: 29 May 2012, 23:23
Interesting, given the new Sky Sports + thing guarantees a certain amount of games (about 20+ from memory), that would imply that we aren’t due for any more 3pm games to be moved to a silly KO time in the future?

Otherwise would seem strange to not broadcast this one when it’s already outside the blackout, and then move another 3pm game in the future.
Si Robin
Posts: 6639
Joined: 20 Nov 2009, 10:29
With Tuesday night games, International breaks and Christmas/Easter games... we're already at 20 plus games.

By my reckoning the following games were or will be on Sky:

Newport H
Plymouth A (LC)
Newport A (BSM)
Harrogate H
Chesterfield A
Accrington H
Swindon H
Bradford H
West Ham H (BSM)
Reading H (BSM)
MK Dons A
Port Vale H
BSM Round of 16
Crewe H
Notts County H (need to check this one - it's a Sunday 3pm kick off though)
Port Vale A
Walsall H
Chesterfield H
Bradford A
MK Dons H
Morecambe A
Gillingham H
Notts County A
Bromley A

That's 24 if we include the cup games (I'm not sure the deal differentiated tbh).
Jerry St Clair
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Joined: 15 Aug 2011, 16:40
Si Robin wrote: 22 Nov 2024, 09:44 No - it was moved at Tranmere's request, so not picked for Sky Sports +
I'd assumed it was on telly until I heard you say this on the pod.

Should be beneficial for the crowd. The Accy game was akin to a mass boycott of season ticket holders who seemingly decided to watch it on the box instead. Shouldn't be the case tonight - they're going to have to turn up.
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Shade
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Location: Cheltenhamshire
- CTFC have won 7 of the last 10 meetings in all competitions since 17th March 2009.
- In those seven wins, Tranmere have only scored in one of them (2-3, Prenton Park, August 2014)! Tranmere have only scored in two of the 9 games they have lost against us, and we have scored 19 goals to 3 in those 9 games. Conversely, in the 6 games we have lost, the scoring is 9-1. Generally, if there's a winner...they usually win to 0.
The most insightful statement I've made all season.
Jerry St Clair
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Joined: 15 Aug 2011, 16:40
Jerry St Clair wrote: 19 Nov 2024, 22:43 Referee Ruebyn Ricardo returns to Whaddon Road for the first time after taking charge of our opening day win against Newport.

He was excellent that day, particularly for our first goal where he played an advantage after a clear handball allowing Joel Colwill to score.

On Friday he’ll mostly be found prodding the frozen turf at the Whaddon Road End trying to decide if it’s safe to play football on.
That’s twice he’s reffed us and twice Colwill has hit a last minute winner.

Next time Ruebyn Ricardo rocks up at WR, get down Ladbrokes.
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