Tranmere Rovers v Gillingham Match Preview
By Deadly Submarine and Jack Nolan
December 22 2006
All the News and Statistics ahead of the visit of Gillingham to Prenton Park on Saturday afternoon in Coca-Cola League One as Rovers hope that this home game will go ahead following the recent postponement of two home matches against Crewe Alexandra.
TOTAL TRANMERE – Match Preview
Saturday 23rd December 2006 – Kick-Off 3.00pm
Coca-Cola League One at Prenton Park
By Deadly Submarine and Jack Nolan
Tranmere Rovers Team News
It’s expected that Jason McAteer and Ollie James will be Rovers only absentees for the visit of Gillingham with McAteer expected to be absent for several more weeks yet.
Tranmere are likely to stick with their usual 4-4-2 formation that has seen them lose just once at home in the League this season with Chris Greenacre and Gareth Taylor once again expected to lead Rovers attack.
The main debate about the team selection will be whether Steve Davies or Kevin Ellison will start on the left for Rovers but after Ellison played in that position against Brentford and Scunthorpe in Rovers’ last two games it seems likely that he will start there with Davies on the bench.
Total Tranmere’s Man to Watch
Chris Greenacre – Rovers leading scorer this season with nine goals, eight of which have come at Prenton Park and he’ll be looking to reach Christmas in double figures.
Rovers From:
Ward, Stockdale, Goodison, McCready, Tremarco, Sherriff, McLaren, Mullin, Jennings, Shuker, Ellison, Davies, Harrison, Greenacre, Taylor, Zola, Curran, Jones, Achterberg.
Ronnie Says:
"The lads are frustrated and they've worked really hard. I hope they're chomping at the bit. It's a great game for us that can put us back in the top three or four. With not playing and those behind us winning it has closed the bunch.”
"We haven't fallen that far behind. If we can get a good result against Gillingham and results go for us, it's a nice game to have in hand. We've done well here. If we can get off to a flying start against Gillingham it will put them on the back foot. They won't be relishing coming here.”
"It's the start of the Christmas period. Four games in eight days is a tough time for all clubs. It can make or break you.If you had to hand pick your fixtures we probably wouldn't have picked the ones we got. But you've got to get on with it.”
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Gillingham Team News
Clint Easton returns to the Gillingham squad that travels to Prenton Park hoping to end a run of three successive defeats on their travels. Easton was suspended for the home game with Bournemouth on Saturday having picked up five yellow cards this season.
Goalkeeper and Trinidad & Tobago World Cup star Kelvin Jack looks likely to be forced out due to injury once again meaning another Gillingham appearance for emergency loan signing Dean Brill, who has conceded three goals in two appearances.
Striker Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu looks set to be replaced by Dean McDonald having put on a disappointing display against Bournemouth and was replaced at half time. McDonald however has recovered from injury, which ruled him out of the visit of Bournemouth.
Spiller is also in contention of a return to the Gillingham squad having won Man of the Match last Saturday, despite playing just forty-five minutes against Bournemouth.
It is also expected that Kelvin Jack’s Trinidad & Tobago team mate Brent Sancho shall be replaced by Ben Chorley in the starting line up. Brent was caught out of position to many times and was a poor performer against Bournemouth meaning that the on loan Chorley should start at Prenton Park. Chorley was a surprise feature on the bench on Saturday having impressed on most of his appearances for Gillingham.
GFC Online Man to Watch
Mike Flynn – One of few players who peak away from home having scored an impressive nine goals away from the Priestfield Stadium this season. Not bad for a midfielder who is knocking on the door for a Wales call up.
Flynn was Stan Ternent’s first signing as Gillingham manager and impressed Gills fans putting on some vital performances – which were all in vein as the Gills were relegated that season. Since signing for the Gills, Flynn has scored nineteen goals in eighty-one appearances. Flynn’s performances last season were recognised by Gillingham manager Ronnie Jepson who made him team captain.
Gills From:
Brill, Jupp, Sancho, Chorley, Jackman, Easton,Cox, Johnson, Clohessy, Bentley, Crofts, Pouton, Flynn, Spiller, McDonald, Stone, Mulligan, Jarvis, Ndumbu-Nsungu, Savage, Collin.
Jepo Says:
"I think we have got a good Christmas as traveling goes and we have had a lot worse before. Some people make a fuss with it but they are just normal games. It is a funny one with Tranmere as we're not sure how the traffic is going to be on the way up and down. Most of the players are fine.”
“They have trained well and are looking forward to the Tranmere game. I'm looking for an improvement on the first half of the Bournemouth game and hopefully they can improve on it and come away from Tranmere with something.”
"Whatever time of the year you go to Tranmere, you know you are in for a hell of a game. Our record is not too good at Prenton Park. It is a difficult place to go and we've tried to have them watched in the last couple of games but both times our scout has got twenty minutes from the ground and the game has been called off.”
“I've looked at weather forecast and the conditions look like they will be okay but it depends on the fog. We will respect them and we know what Ronnie Moore is all about. It will be a difficult task and I am sure they will be nice and fresh and waiting for us.”
“Tranmere will be up there at the end, without a doubt. I know a few players and played with some of them myself, players like Gareth Taylor and John Mullin. They are good, old pros and can still move about a bit. They have got some decent lads through the squad and make no bones about it, they will be up there."
Match Referee – Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire)
Current Form Guide
Tranmere Rovers
Last Six At Home – DDLWWW
Last Six Games – WWWWDD
Season Stats (At Home):
P10 W7 D2 L1 F16 A6
Season Stats (All Matches):
P21 W10 D6 L5 F25 A15
Gillingham
Last Six Away – DLDLLL
Last Six Games – WLWLLD
Season Stats (Away):
P11 W1 D3 L7 F15 A27
Season Stats (All Matches):
P22 W8 D4 L10 F30 A37
The Hotshots
Tranmere Rovers: Chris Greenacre - 9 Goals
Gillingham: Michael Flynn - 9 Goals
Last Meetings Between Clubs
11th February 2006 – Football League One – Priestfield Stadium
Gillingham 1 – 1 Tranmere Rovers
Byfield 73 O’Leary 48
Attendance: 6,803
Referee: Grant Hegley (Hertfordshire)
24th September 2005 – Football League One – Prenton Park
Tranmere Rovers 2 – 2 Gillingham
Jackson 10 Byfield 16
Greenacre 46 Byfield (pen) 63
Attendance: 7,003
Referee: Matt Messias (West Yorkshire)
Tranmere Rovers Vs Gillingham
League Head-to-Head
All Matches:
P26 W9 D14 L3 F34 A27
At Prenton Park:
P13 W7 D6 L0 F21 A11
Match Tickets and Travel Information
For Total Tranmere’s information article on Match Tickets and also for Travel and Stadium Information for Prenton Park Click Here!
Gillingham FC Web-links