Weekly Review

Matthew Jones reflects on what has been another week of ups and downs for Les Parry and everybody concerned with Tranmere Rovers Football Club

It was a big week for Tranmere, as they faced Wycombe on Tuesday and Exeter on Saturday, two teams firmly in the relegation battle with Rovers, and following Saturday's 2-1 defeat at the Bescott Stadium against Walsall, Tranmere fans knew they needed to take something from at least one of these games.

Tranmere though couldn't pick anything up from their first game of the week however, as they lost in hugely disappointing fashion against struggling Wycombe Wanderers, a result that was only Wycombe's third away win of the season.

Rovers lost the game 3-0 and were behind as early as the fifteenth minute, when the visitors counter attacked, taking the ball from one end of the pitch to the other in a matter of seconds, Betsy eventually crossing to Revel who slotted past Daniels.

Tranmere rallied but were nowhere near good enough to break down the Wycombe defence and just after the hour mark, the visitors doubled the lead, Revel getting his second of the night as he charged down Luke Daniels' kick before lobbing the goalkeeper and defender Marlon Broomes from 25-yards after picking up the loose ball.

Wycombe then piled on the misery for Rovers as they added a third late on, Betsy again the provider as he floated a cross over Daniels to Bloomfield at the back post, who comfortably netted.

The next day Tranmere's reserve team were in action as they took on Morecambe, but, like the first team the night before, they were soundly beaten, losing 5-2 in their final ever trip to Christie Park.

It had been a poor week for Tranmere then, and things got worse for the fans on Friday, when Rovers announced Luke Daniels and Joe Collister were both doubts for the game.

However, Tranmere secured Peter Gulacsi on a one week emergency loan from Merseyside neighbours Liverpool, with the Hungary U-21 international goalkeeper going straight into Rovers' side to face Exeter on Saturday.

Thankfully for Tranmere, this was when their fortune turned, as they beat ten man Exeter 3-1 at Prenton Park in a huge League One fixture.

Knowing that if they lost, then their chances of staying up woud be extremely remote, Rovers' first XI, boosted by the return of Andy Robinson to the bench, put in a much better display and managed to score from open play for the first time in four games.

Rovers were 1-0 up after 43 minutes, seven minutes after midfielder Dunne had been dismissed for two yellow cards, both for fouls on Joss Labadie.

Craig Curran was the scorer, heading past former Southampton 'keeper Jones from Bakayogo's cross, before just before the hour mark Labadie doubled Tranmere's lead with a chip into an open goal from 25-yards following a mistake from Tully.

Rovers were made to sweat when Fleetwood pulled one back on 85-minutes, but substitute Gareth Edds secured the win with two minutes left following good work from Kithson Bain.

Despite the win, Tranmere remained inside the relegation zone, but a win against Brentford on Tuesday night will lift Rovers above Exeter, who are now just two points better off than Les Parry's side, having played a game more.

It's going to be an important few days for Les Parry's side then, so don't forget to keep checking back on to the website and message board for all the latest news and discussion.