Tranmere Rovers v Scunthorpe United Preview
By Deadly Submarine
October 6 2005
Rovers take on Scunthorpe at Prenton Park this Friday in what has become a must-win game for the men in white after a recent run of miserable form. Total Tranmere brings you all the latest team news, statistics and information in preparation for the game as Rovers look to get back to winning ways.
TRANMERE ROVERS Vs SCUNTHORPE UNITED
Friday 7th October 2005 Kick Off 7.45pm
After a run of six games without a win, three of them defeats, Rovers will go into this game against Scunthorpe United on Friday verging on desperation for a win and therefore three valuable points.
Scunthorpe were promoted to League One at the end of last season and began this season in reasonably strong form but a recent run of five straight defeats means that there may not be a better time for out of form Tranmere to face the Iron at Prenton Park.
Although the teams have not met in the League over the past ten years, their last meeting was only in August of this year in the first round of the Carling Cup. Rovers will be seeking revenge for a 2-1 defeat at Glanford Park in that game that saw them make an early exit from from the competition and miss out on a home tie against Premiership side Birmingham City.
Richie Ryan put Scunthorpe ahead but Rovers equalised through Ian Sharps almost immediately before Tranmere old-boy Richard Hinds came back to haunt his old club by netting the winner.
Around the time of that defeat at Glanford Park, Scunthorpe were in good form and had worked their way into the top five places in League One but their five game losing run that continued on Saturday with a 4-3 home defeat at Yeovil has seen them drop to tenth place in the League.
Last week, Milton Keynes Dons got their first win of the season at home to Scunthorpe with a 1-0 triumph and that defeat for the Iron came a week after they had lost 3-1 at home to Walsall.
Scunthorpe have just this week signed 20 year-old Birmingham midfielder Peter Till on a one month loan deal to add to a number of summer signings and he is set to make his debut at Prenton Park.
Player Connections:
Scunthorpe have an ex-Rover in their squad in shape of Richard Hinds and as already mentioned, he has already inflicted some damage on his old club in this years Carling Cup. After leaving Rovers for a spell at Hull City, Hinds almost moved to Chester City as part of the deal that saw Kevin Ellison move from the Deva Stadium to the KC. However that move fell through and Hinds eventually signed for Scunthorpe this summer.
DEADLYS MATCH PREDICTION: TRANMERE 2 - 1 SCUNTHORPE
Team News
Tranmere Rovers Gareth Roberts had been due to be away on International Duty with Wales this weekend but he has picked up a groin injury training with the Welsh squad so is instead undergoing treatment at Prenton Park and will miss the game anyway.
Ian Sharps is back in the Rovers squad after a six week absence with a knee injury so he may well go straight back into the starting line-up whilst Ian Goodison replaces Roberts at left-back.
Danny Harrison has had surgery on a broken nose and is unavailable along with Calvin Zola (foot) but Mark Rankine has recovered from a hamstring injury that kept him out of the 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest last Saturday.
Manager Brian Little has hinted that a change in personnel may well take place, suggesting a few surprises when the starting line-up takes to the field.
Scunthorpe United Richie Ryan and captain Andy Crosby are both missing for Scunthorpe but new loan signing Peter Till from Birmingham is expected to make his Iron debut. United have also recalled striker Michael Rankine from his loan spell at Barrow and he is also available.
Probable Rovers Team: Achterberg, Bruce, Sharps, Jackson, Goodison, Tremarco, McAteer, Jennings, Aiston, Facey, Greenacre.
Referee Andy Hall (West Midlands)
Current Form
Tranmere Rovers:
Last Six Games Home WDWWDD
Last Six Games DDLDLL
Scunthorpe United:
Last Six Games Away LWDWLL
Last Six Games - WLLLLL
Hotshots
Tranmere Rovers: Chris Greenacre 6 Goals
Scunthorpe United: Billy Sharp 7 Goals
Last League Meeting
THERE HAVE BEEN NO LEAGUE MEETINGS BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES IN THE LAST TEN YEARS
Last Meeting
23rd August 2005 Carling Cup First Round Glanford Park
Scunthorpe United 2-1 Tranmere Rovers
Ryan 56 Sharps 60
Hinds 81
Attendance: 2,738
Referee: Phil Joslin (Nottinghamshire)
Head to Head
Summary of Past Meetings
All Matches:
Matches Played = 45
Tranmere Wins = 17
Scunthorpe Wins = 21
Matches Drawn = 7
Tranmere Goals = 63
Scunthorpe Goals = 74
At Prenton Park:
Matches Played = 23
Tranmere Wins = 12
Scunthorpe Wins = 9
Matches Drawn = 2
Tranmere Goals = 36
Scunthorpe Goals = 32