Weekly Review
By Matthew Jones
March 28 2010
In our regular Sunday feature, Matthew Jones takes a brief look back on what has been an extremely busy week for Les Parry and Tranmere Rovers
The last seven days have been very busy for Tranmere Rovers, with plenty of new arrivals at Prenton Park, as well as one first team fixture and a reserve team match.
The week started slowly for Rovers, with no news to report from Prenton Park until Wednesday, when Tranmere made their first of three signings during the week, bringing Joss Labadie to the Wirral from West Brom.
The 19-year old midfielder arrived from Prenton Park on a loan deal until the end of the season, having previously had spells with Shrewsbury Town and Cheltenham Town this season.
Manager Les Parry described Labadie as a "strong and industrious player" who has proved during his spell at Shrewsbury earlier this season that he has an eye for goal.
Later on Wednesday, Tranmere's reserve team were in action, taking on Macclesfield in the Cheshire Senior Cup final at Prenton Park.
Tranmere fielded a strong started XI, including Chris Shuker, Alan Mahon, Charlie Barnett, Marlon Broomes and on-loan Watford youngster Marvin Sordell, as well as the long awaited return of striker Kithson Bain from a hamstring injury.
Bain indeed scored twice in the fixture, two typically powerful finishes from inside the area, but it wasn't enough for Rovers, who lost 4-2.
Thursday was an even busier day for Tranmere, who started the day by announcing that on-loan Manchester City right-back Shay Logan will be out for at least a month due to a hernia problem.
Rovers though did compensate for Logan's injury later on in the day though as they made two further loan signings, bringing in Andy Robinson from Leeds United and Ben Gordon from Chelsea.
Robinson, who's first club in the Football League was Tranmere back in the early 2000s, joins Rovers on a loan deal until the end of the season and is capable of playing up front or anywhere in midfield.
19-year old Ben Gordon joins on a one month loan deal as cover for Zoumana Bakayogo and Aaron Cresswell in the left-back position, with both players missing Tranmere's game at Brighton on Saturday due to suspension.
Ahead of this League One fixture Tranmere had some new found confidence, something which had swept across Rovers fansites following the arrivals of the new players, particularly Andy Robinson.
However, the excitement and lift that the new arrivals brought to Prenton Park was quickly blown away on Saturday afternoon, when Rovers' first team dismally lost 3-0 against Brighton and Hove Albion, a result which saw them slip back into the League One relegation zone.
Rovers were behind within seven minutes after Glen Murray netted from inside the area after recieving the ball from Dicker, whilst Andrew Crofts doubled the scoreline on the half hour mark as he turned the ball home from Seb Carole's cross.
Tranmere resisted the hosts better for the main part of the second half, but things went from bad to worse for Les Parry's side on 78 minutes when new signing Robinson was shown a straight red card for a two footed tackle.
If that sent things from bad to worse, then three minutes later worse became awful, as Tranmere went 3-0 down to seal an awful afternoon on the south coast, with Ashley Barnes completing the scoring for Brighton.
Rovers then have had a busy but not particularly happy week, as Saturday's result means they now lie back in the League One relegation zone, one point behind Hartlepool who are in 20th place.
The next week sees Tranmere's reserves travel to Morecambe on Wednesday and the first team host Norwich, live on Sky Sports, on Friday night, so keep track of Total Tranmere as we bring you all the latest news before and after the games.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
I know people will point to past results against teams like Stockport, Oldham and Hartlepool, and I have pointed to past games today, but I'm beginning to believe those results don't matter any more. Every game from now on in should be played like a Cup Final. It depends how we handle the pressure.
I would suggest unless we find our shooting boots all of our remaining games will be very tough, we need to find goals from somewere.
Just a thought but maybe passing the ball on the floor more ofter instead of the easy option hitting it long to a clearly struggling savage would help as well as going 4 4 2