Tranmere Rovers v Walsall Match Preview
By Matthew Jones
January 6 2011
Total Tranmere brings you all the news and information you need to know ahead of Saturday's League One clash with bottom of the table Walsall at Prenton Park.....
For the third time this season, Tranmere Rovers take on Walsall, with Rovers looking to make it a clean sweep of three wins out of three against the Saddlers.
With Walsall having sacked manager Chris Hutchings on Tuesday, replacing him with Dean Smith, this game is immediately tougher for Tranmere, as so often a new manager sparks an improved performance from the players, but Rovers will be confident of building on Monday's win over Carlisle and picking up an important three points against the league's bottom club.
If Tranmere pick up three points, it could be hugely important in the race against relegation. Rovers currently sit twentieth in the table, but with only five other games in League One this weekend due to the F.A. Cup, there's every chance that Tranmere could move up a place in the table as well as opening up a six point gap between theseves and the relegation zone.
Walsall Factfile:
Ground: The Bescot Stadium
Formed: 1888
Nickname: The Saddlers
Manager: Dean Smith (caretaker)
League Finish 2009/10: 10th
Kit Colours: Red shirt with black trim, red shorts and socks (home), aqua blue shirt with red trim, aqua blue shorts and dark blue socks (away)
Previous Meetings:
These two sides have already met twice this season, with Tranmere coming out on top on each occasions.
The first time these two clubs faced each other was on August 10th when Rovers travelled to the Bescott Stadium for a League Cup first round match, and although they had some luck at times, and saw Joe Collister make some excellent saves in goal, Tranmere won the game 1-0 as Ian Goodison's back post finish from Joss Labadie's flick on was enough to see Rovers through.
When the two clubs met in the league, Tranmere picked up a much more convincing win, beating the Saddlers 4-1 to record their second away league win of the season.
Tranmere took the lead shortly after the half-hour mark as captain John Welsh netted his first of the season with a technically superb lob, hitting a lofted clearance first time into an open goal from 45-yards.
Rovers doubled their lead on the hour mark as Enoch Showunmi fired home under goalkeeper Brain after Davies' poor clearance, but minutes later John Macken, a target of Tranmere in the summer, pulled Walsall back into it as he beat Goodison to Devaney's cross to stab home from in side the six yard box.
Les Parry's side were not to be denied the three points though as Ian Thomas-Moore netted a penalty on 78-minutes after Dale Jennings had been brought down in the box by Aaron Lescott, before John Welsh sealed the win two minutes before time as he scored from the edge of the area after receiving Fraughan's lay off.
Vital Stats:
In 31 home games against Walsall, Tranmere have recorded fifteen wins, losing on nine occasions
Tranmere have scored 53 goals in these 31 games, conceding 32 times in the process
Walsall have only kept one clean sheet in their last eight trips to Prenton Park
All bar five of the previous 64 meetings between these two sides have been third division fixtures
Each side has won two of the eight January meetings between these two sides
On This Day:
2008: Ronnie Moore's Tranmere have Shane Sherriff sent off as they crash to a 3-0 away defeat against Leyton Orient
2002: Second half goals from Wayne Allison, Jason Price and Sean Flynn help Tranmere to a 3-1 away win over Southend in the F.A. Cup
2000: Two years earlier and Allison is the hero for Tranmere is his fourth minute goal secures John Aldridge's side a 1-0 F.A. Cup fourth round win over Premier League Sunderland
Tranmere Rovers have eleven previous games on this day, picking up two wins, three draws and six defeats. They have scored twelve goals and conceded eighteen in these eleven games.
Two of Tranmere's three wins on this day have come in the F.A. Cup, whilst Tranmere have lost four out of five home games on this day.
The Form Book:
Walsall last six away games: LWLLLD
Tranmere Rovers last six home games: WLLLWW
Walsall manager Chris Hutchings was sacked earlier this week, and it is hardly surprising as the Saddlers come into this game having won just four out of their last 22 matches and only twice away from home all season.
The Midlands based side started their six match sequence with a 1-1 draw against Non-League side Fleetwood Town, who are managed by former Tranmere captain Mickey Mellon, before starting a run of three successive defeats with a 3-0 loss against Bournemouth.
The Saddlers were then defeated by the same scoreline against Sheffield Wednesday in their next away game ten days later, before crashing out of the F.A. Cup at the second round stage against League Two side Torquay United after a 1-0 defeat at Plainmoor.
Walsall did however produce an impress 1-0 away victory against Charlton, another team who have recently sacked their manager, two weeks later, before suffering a 4-1 defeat away to Peterborough United on Monday.
Walsall's only other away win this season was a 2-1 success against Brentford in their first away game of the season, whilst they have also drawn with Leyton Orient (0-0) and Dagenham (1-1).
The Saddlers have played eleven away games so far this season and picked up eight of an available 33 points thanks to two wins, two draws and seven defeats.
Impressive results at the Bescott Stadium for Walsall this season include wins over Plymouth (2-1), Fleetwood (2-0, F.A. Cup) and Carlisle United (2-1).
Walsall come into this game rock bottom of the League One table and eight points short of safety, having played 21 matches and picked up seventeen of an available 63 points thanks to five wins, two draws and fourteen defeats.
They are also the league's lowest scorers, having netted just nineteen times all season, including just nine away from home, whilst they also have the third worst defence in the division behind Peterborough United and Exeter City.
A recent victory over Carlisle halted a run of three successive home defeats for Tranmere, and they will be keen to extend their form and improve their home record in this match.
Rovers started their six match sequence with successive wins, with Dale Jennings playing a major role in both games as he firstly scored twice, along with two strikes from Ian Thomas-Moore, as Tranmere beat MK Dons 4-2, before Jennings scored an excellent solo goal to seal Tranmere a 1-0 win over Plymouth.
However, Les Parry's side then started a run of three successive home defeats as they firstly lost 1-0 to Hartlepool United after an error by Peter Gulacsi, before the Wirral side were knocked out of the Johnstone Paints Trophy at the area semi-final stage against Huddersfield Town (2-0).
Rovers then slipped to a 2-1 home defeat against Leyton Orient before in their most recent home game, Les Parry's side beat Carlisle United 2-1 despite missing two penalties, with Ian Goodison the hero as he scored a quite fantastic left footed strike.
Tranmere have had only one other home win this season, defeating Peterborough United 1-0 thanks to a goal from Arnaud Mendy, whilst they've also drawn 1-1 with Charlton and Brighton.
Notable results away from home include wins over Bristol Rovers (1-0), Walsall (4-1) and Notts County (1-0), plus a 1-0 success over Walsall in the League Cup.
Tranmere currently lie in 20th place in the League One table, having picked up 25 of an available 63 points from 21 games, this thanks to seven wins, four draws and ten defeats.
Double Hit:
There are a number of players to choose from when it comes down to those who have played for both Walsall and Tranmere Rovers, including David Kelly, Tom Curtis and Michael Ricketts.
One other player who has achieved the accolade of playing for both teams is former Jamaica winger Paul Hall, who was well liked by both Tranmere and Walsall fans.
Hall started his career at Torquay where he made 111 appearances in all competitions before earning a move to Portsmouth for £70,000 in 1993, three years after making his debut for the club.
The skillful Jamaican enjoyed himself at Portsmouth too and even finished his first season with the club as an ever present.
In total, Hall managed over 200 appearances for the club and scored 42 goals before moving on to Coventry for £300,000 in August 1998.
The Jamaican found it difficult to get a game at Coventry however, and despite staying at Highfield Road for two and a half years, he made just 13 appearances for the Sky Blues, scoring just once.
He did however spent some time away from Highfield Road on loan during that two and a half year period, enjoying spells with Bury, Sheffield United and West Brom, making 15 appearances and scoring once in total before a loan move to Walsall in March 2000.
Two games and a goal was all it took to convince Walsall to sign the player permanently, and indeed on March 23rd 2000, Hall sealed a move to the Saddlers on a free transfer.
However, only 19 months later, Hall was on the move again, leaving the Bescott stadium having made 60 appearances for the club, signing for Rushden and Diamonds where he would go on to make over 120 appearances before joining Tranmere in March 2004.
At Tranmere, Hall enjoyed great success and the Tranmere fans took to him immediately. He had good pace on the right-wing and could also play upfront and indeed in 63 appearances for the club, Hall netted 14 times from the wing.
However, after a contract dispute in 2005 after Rovers' play-off semi-final defeat to Hartlepool, Hall joined Chesterfield on a two-year contract.
After making 101 appearances for Chesterfield, Hall re-joined Walsall following the end of his contract, making a further 24 appearances for the Saddlers before teaming up with Brian Little once against at Wrexham, making 11 appearances for the club between January and May 2008 before retiring from football.
One To Watch:
One of the most exciting and dangerous players on Walsall's books is winger Julian Gray, an experienced professional who has tasted Premier League football with Birmingham City, Crystal Palace and Fulham.
Gray started his career with Arsenal, but played just one first team game for the club between 1996 and 2000 before leaving for Crystal Palace for £500,000.
Whilst with the Eagles, Gray began to fulfill his potential and repaid the club for the large transfer fee they had paid for him.
He remained with the club for four years and became an important player,making 144 appearances for and scoring fourteen goals, as well as spending time out on loan at Cardiff during the 2003/04 season, where he made nine appearances.
In 2004 he made a summer move to Birmingham on a free-transfer, helping the club into the Premier League, but he failed to ever hold down a regular place in the first team after they reached the top flight, making just 73 appearances in three years with the club, 22 of them as a substitute.
He moved to Coventry on a free-transfer in 2007 and after impressing for the Sky Blues, he signed for Fulham on transfer deadline day in February 2009. However, he made only three appearances for Fulham before joining Barnsley in the summer.
Just seven appearances in three months with the Yorkshire side led to his release, upon which Gray was picked up by Walsall. He has since shown the form that helped propel Birmingham into the Premier League, scoring three times in his first twelve games for the club.
Now, having been at the Bescott Stadium for a year, Gray has cemented his place in the team, netting a further four goals for the club, taking his tally to seven strikes in 39 games.
A pacey winger who is dangerous in front of goal, Gray, now 31, wears the number eighteen shirt for the Saddlers.
Around League One:
Due to this weekend being F.A. Cup third round weekend, there are only six games to be played in League One this Saturday, giving the twelve teams who play this weekend a chance to put some pressure on the teams around them in the table:
Bournemouth vs. Plymouth
Dagenham and Redbridge vs. Rochdale
Exeter vs. MK Dons
Oldham vs. Swindon
Tranmere vs. Walsall
Yeovil vs. Brentford
Team News:
Tranmere have a number of new players available for them for this fixture, beginning with veteran goalkeeper Tony Warner who is set to make his debut in goal after signing a six month contract.
New loan signing Michael Kay is also available for selection and expected to slot in straight at right-back for Tranmere, whilst Les Parry could call upon another new signing Mark McChrystal who could start in central-defence after Scott Wootton returned to Manchester United.
Marlon Broomes is once again available for selection after completing a one match suspension for his sending off against Rochdale on New Years Day, whilst Lateef Elford-Alliyu should start after extending his loan deal this week.
However, Les Parry will be without two defenders in Timothy Cathalina and Max Blanchard who both picked up injuries early in the week, whilst Alan Mahon is still a couple of reserve games away from consideration for the first team.
Jones' Prediction: Tranmere Rovers 2-0 Walsall
It will of course be difficult for Tranmere against a Walsall under new management for the first time, but I'm confident that Les Parry's side can be successful against the Saddlers for the third time this season.
Tranmere must take the game to Walsall if they want to pick up three vital points and they must look to build on the win they picked up against Carlisle on Monday.
In that game, the two wingers, Lateef Elford-Alliyu and Dale Jennings, were particularly dangerous, with Elford-Alliyu making plenty of darting runs, whilst Jennings threatened himself but was cynically brought down every time he received the ball.
If Rovers can get the ball out wide and on the floor to the two players, then they will be able to unleash their pace, run at the Walsall defence and get them on the back-foot early.
John Welsh and Joss Labadie are key too however for Rovers, with the two players important for Tranmere as they look to push forward and as they break up opposition attacks in midfield.
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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2011:01:10:18:19:54 by Deadly Submarine.
I'll make a prediction, which doesn't happen often and go for a 2-1 victory.
This HAS to be a three point home banker, Only Les's fear of losing can get in the way and changing players and shape will not help, 4-4-2, attack, attack, attack!
this would be my team:
Warner welcome to Prenton Park.
Kay
Wooton
Goody
Cresser
Alliyu
Welshy
Labs
Jenno
Moore
Enoch
why doesn't Les change the wingers now and again in the game ?? Moore on the wing and jenno up front with enoch same applies with Alliyu. COME ON LES!!!
a couple of times in the carlisle game dale & lateef swapped wings i would keep moore in the middle as hes our best goalscrorer
COME ON YOU MIGHTY WHITES
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:01:07:13:54:13 by Mighty White.
Warner
Kay
McChrystal
Goodison
Cresswell
Jennings
Welsh
Labadie
Elford-Alliyu
Showunmi
Thomas-Moore