Rovers Preview
Back in XI?
By Chris O'Brien
March 14 2003
The Bluebirds face on-form Tranmere Rovers this evening at Prenton Park. City will be desperate to put the disappointing display last Saturday behind them, and return to the top two with a victory.
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It's the 7th time in the last 18 months that the two
clubs have met, with the Bluebirds being victorious in 3 A poor start to the season for Tranmere saw them facing relegation worries, but a recent run of excellent form including a victory over Crewe and a draw over leaders Wigan has seem them looking for a place in the top 6, and victory tonight will see them leapfrog QPR into the last play-off spot and will put them just 7 points off the automatic places! It's funny how things change so quickly... Tranmere are currently second in the Division Two
form table, behind Wigan Athletic. Steve Jenkins is set to return to the Cardiff City squad tonight, following his incident at Stockport on St. David's Day and could go straight back into the line-up with Gary Croft moving back to his more familiar left back position. This would see Chris Barker return to the centre of defence and either Scott Young or Spencer Prior being dropped to the bench. Rhys Weston is unlikely to be included as he is still struggling with a back strain.
The Bluebirds are unbeaten away since January 25th, and will be looking to stretch their away run to 7 games this evening at Prenton Park. It's also interesting that Cardiff haven't lost a 7.45pm kick-off this season!
Former Bluebird and life-long City supporter Simon Haworth will be Tranmere's main threat going forward this evening. The 25 year-old spent 18 months at Ninian Park scoring 10 goals for the Bluebirds. He was always a firm favourite with the Cardiff City faithful, but after the Bluebirds failed to gain promotion via the play-offs in the 1996/1997 season Haworth was sold to Coventry City for the clubs record selling fee of £500,000. February of 1998 saw Haworth leave Highfield Road to join Wigan Athletic for £600,000. Haworth made 99 league appearances for the Latics, scoring 44 goals, he also got 12 Cup goals during his time at the JJB. Just over 12 months ago, Haworth left Wigan to join Tranmere for just £125,000. Haworth was also in chats with Cardiff City in a possibly return to South Wales but he decided to move to Prenton Park instead. Why so cheap? Haworth lost the support of Wigan fans after performing the ayatollah on request from travelling City fans in Wigan's 4-0 victory over the Bluebirds! The deal is proving to be excellent business for Rovers. Haworth has netted 22 times for Rovers already and will definitely be One to Watch.
The Bluebirds to pick up a victory at Prenton Park, and return to the top two for a few hours at least!
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Victory
for the Bluebirds this evening at Prenton Park will see them return to the
top two for a few hours at least, depending on Crewe's result with Port Vale
at Gresty Road tomorrow.
times. City's last 2 visits to Prenton Park have been F.A Cup affairs.
Following the memorable 2-1 victory over Leeds United in January 2002, City
travelled to Tranmere eyeing up a place in the last 16 of the competition,
but the hard-working Tranmere team pulled off an impressive 3-1 victory. The
first round of this years competition saw City looking for Cup revenge, but
a Simon Haworth equaliser for Tranmere made it 2-2 and took the game to a
replay.
It
is not yet know whether Lawrence will go with a 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 formation. On
form Gavin Gordon will be desperate to get his place back in the starting
line-up and there is no doubt that Lawrence should change things around
after Saturday's woeful display so he will definitely be in contention. It's
also a big game for Alan Mahon who returns to face his former club. Mahon
has been subject to some criticism from some Bluebird fans after a couple of
below-par performances, but he'll be keen to put things right tonight.
