Brentford v Tranmere Rovers Match Preview
By Deadly Submarine
December 9 2006
All the News and Statistics ahead Rovers visit to Brentford on Saturday afternoon in Coca-Cola League One as Rovers look to continue their recent good form following their 1-1 draw away at Scunthorpe on Tuesday night that kept them in the promotion hunt.
TOTAL TRANMERE – Match Preview
Saturday 9th December 2006 – Kick-Off 3.00pm
Coca-Cola League One at Griffin Park
By Deadly Submarine
After a decent draw that should perhaps have even been a win at Scunthorpe on Tuesday night, Rovers are on the road again this Saturday for the second time in five days with Griffin Park, Brentford their destination.
In the past, Rovers have had mixed fortunes at Griffin Park having lost 2-0 last season and 1-0 the season before in a game that saw Luton Town gain promotion from League One without kicking a ball.
This time however, Rovers have perhaps their best chance to win at Griffin Park for years although the game will still be far from easy for Ronnie Moore’s side.
The Bees have lost their last two home league matches 4-0 to Crewe and Doncaster respectively and the defeat to Crewe saw Manager Leroy Rosenior sacked after just over three months in charge following Martin Allen’s resignation during the summer.
In their last five matches at home and away, Brentford have drawn one and lost five, whilst at home they are also without a win in the last six matches having lost three and drawn three.
Rovers have not lost in the League since the 1-0 defeat at Carlisle Utd on October 21st and have won two, drawn two and lost two of their last six away games.
The one thing Ronnie Moore’s men must not do is underestimate their opponents despite their poor run as the Whites look to avenge Brentford’s double over them last season.
In the first of last season’s encounters, Brentford triumphed 2-0 at home in August 2005 before an even better win for them came at Prenton Park in December last year when they won 4-1, Calvin Zola getting Rovers only goal of the game.
Rovers currently lie in fifth place in League One but they are just one point from second place and with several of their nearest rivals also playing away from home on Saturday, a win, should they get it, would be a good chance of gaining some more ground in the fight for promotion.
Brentford are currently second from bottom in the table and need all the points they can get prior to the Christmas period.
Latest Team News
Brentford
Brentford are boosted by the return of Adam Griffiths who was suspended for Tuesday night’s 4-0 home defeat to Doncaster Rovers.
Paul Brooker (tonsillitis), Calum Willock (eye), Stuart Nelson and Lloyd Owusu (groin) are all unavailable for The Bees for this game.
Tranmere Rovers
Rovers striker Gareth Taylor is available again after recovering from a hamstring injury but Steve Davies (knee), Carl Tremarco (ankle), Jason McAteer and Steven Jennings are all out but midfielder Danny Harrison returns from suspension and may make the Rovers bench.
Nottingham Forest have this week recalled defender John Thompson who had been on loan at Rovers so Robbie Stockdale is likely to return to the starting line-up at right-back.
Match Referee – Iain Williamson (Berkshire)
Current Form Guide
Brentford:
Last Six At Home – DLDDLL
Last Six Games – DLLLLL
Season Stats (At Home):
P10 W2 D4 L4 F9 A18
Season Stats (All Matches):
P20 W3 D8 L9 F16 A35
Tranmere Rovers:
Last Six Away – WLDLWD
Last Six Games – LWWWWD
Season Stats (Away):
P10 W3 D3 L4 F8 A8
Season Stats (All Matches):
P20 W10 D5 L5 F24 A14
The Hotshots
Brentford: Jo Kuffour - 7 Goals
Tranmere Rovers: Chris Greenacre - 9 Goals
Last Season’s Encounters
17th December 2005 – Coca-Cola League One – Prenton Park
Tranmere Rovers 1 – 4 Brentford
Zola 23 Newman 12
Tabb 14
O’Connor (pen) 32
Owusu 53
Attendance: 6,210
Referee: Clive Oliver (Northumberland)
20th August 2005 – Coca-Cola League One – Griffin Park
Brentford 2 – 0 Tranmere Rovers
Tabb 23
Hutchinson 50
Attendance: 5,438
Referee: Clive Penton (Sussex)
Tranmere Rovers Vs Brentford
League Head-to-Head
All Matches:
P32 W15 D4 L13 F51 A52
At Griffin Park:
P16 W5 D2 L9 F17 A32
Match Tickets and Travel Information
For Total Tranmere’s information article on Match Tickets and also for Travel and Stadium Information for Griffin Park Click Here!
Brentford Web-links