Tranmere Rovers v Millwall Match Preview
By Matthew Jones
April 29 2010
Matthew Jones brings you all the stats, facts and team news you need to know ahead of a crucial final home game of the season for Tranmere Rovers against Millwall as Rovers bid to stay in League One whilst Millwall try to get out of it...........
Saturday 1st May 2010 - Coca-Cola League One
Tranmere R v Millwall
Kick-Off 3.00pm at Prenton Park
It won't be easy this weekend for Les Parry's side though, as Millwall come to Prenton Park knowing that a win could lift them above Leeds United and into second place in the League table if the Yorkshire side fail to win their fixture against Charlton.
There is sure to be a good atmosphere at Prenton Park, with Millwall having sold out their entire allocation for the match and with Tranmere expecting more home fans as the Wirral public will hopefully come out to support their team and cheer them on to victory.
Previous Meetings: tranmere sufferend an embarassing 5-0 defeat to Millwall at the New Den earlier in the season, as the Lions thrashed Tranmere in John Barnes' final league game in charge of the club.Rovers were two down within ten minutes and four down before the half hour mark after putting in a truely shocking display that many would say epitomised Barnes' time in charge of the club.
Millwall's first came on six minutes when James Henry fired a free-kick through the wall and past the hapless Luke Daniels, before the Lions struck again three minutes later when Andy Frampton netted from close range after Tranmere failed to clear a corner.
Rovers managed to hold on hearly fifteen minutes before conceding another, but it was only a matter of time before another goal did come, and on 23 minutes Millwall got their third as Morison headed past Daniels from Henry's cross.
Four minutes later, Henry got his second of the game when he scored another screamer from outside the area, lashing a shot into the bottom corner from long-range.
The crowd were made to wait a while for the next game, as Daniels made several saves in the Tranmere goal, but Millwall's fifth did eventually come, as after Broomes had been sent off for a second yellow card, Henry scored his third of the game from the resulting free-kick, again smashing the ball straight through the wall.
Vital Stats:
These two sides have met thirteen times previously at Prenton Park, with Tranmere picking up nine wins and losing just twice
Rovers have won just one of their last six games against the Lions, who did the double over them last season
These two sides have never before met in May
In 26 previous meetings between these two sides, they have only been four away wins
The home side has kept a clean sheet in three of the last four games between these two sides
On This Day:
2004: Brian Little's Tranmere lose 2-1 at Vale Park against Port Vale
1999: Rovers lose 1-0 against Grimsby Town in Division One
1993: John King's Tranmere secure an excellent 2-1 home win over Watford in Division One
Tranmere have played nine previous games on this day, picking up two wins, one draw and six defeats. In these nine games Rovers have scored twelve goals and conceded eighteen. They have played three home games on this day, picking up two wins and a draw.The Form Book:
Millwall Last Six Away Games: LDWWWD
Tranmere Last Six Home Games: WLWDLW
Millwall have been strong both at the New Den and away from home this season, resulting in Kenny Jackett's side coming to Prenton Park pushing for promotion from League One. They do however have the poorest away record of all the sides in the top seven.
The Lions started their six match sequence with a draw, as a last minute goal from Dunne secured a 2-2 draw against Walsall, before three days later Morison struck twice in a 3-1 win over Carlisle United.
The Lions extended their run to three successive wins on their travels in their next two away fixtures, firstly beating Leeds United (2-0), Morison again scoring, before on Easter Monday the Lions beat Colchester United 2-1, Morison scoring for the fourth away game running.
However, the Lions do come into this game without a win in their last two away games, as they firstly drew 1-1 with Yeovil Town before three days later, in their most recent away game, Millwall were beaten 1-0 at the Galpharm Stadium by Huddersfield.
Other impressive results away from home for Millwall this season include wins over MK Dons (3-1), Stockport County (4-0), Oldham Athletic (1-0) and Brighton (1-0).
Millwall come to Prenton Park having played 22 previous away games this season, and picked up 29 of an available 66 points, thanks to seven wins, eight draws and seven defeats.
Notable results at home for Millwall this season include wins over Tranmere Rovers (5-0), Gillingham (4-0), Charlton (4-0) and Stockport County (5-0).
The Lions have played 44 games so far this season and picked up 82 of an available 126 points, thanks to 23 wins, thirteen draws and just eight defeats.
Tranmere's inconsistency at Prenton Park continued in their last away game, increasing the frustration levels at Prenton Park as they once again failed to seal back to back wins on home soil and instead lost in hugely disappointing fashion against another team battling to beat the drop.
Rovers started their six match sequence with win, picking up an excellent 2-1 win over Johnstone's Paints Trophy winners Southampton, Marlon Broomes and Ian Thomas-Moore scoring the goals, before Rovers suffered a disappointing 4-1 defeat against Leeds United in their next home match.
Since then though, Tranmere have lost just one of four home games, as they firstly drew a dull game with Hartlepool United 0-0 before picking up a superb 3-1 win over Norwich City in front of the Sky Sports Cameras, Ian Thomas-Moore netting twice and Craig Curran scoring the other goal.
Rovers then put in a shocking display as they lost 3-0 at home to Wycombe Wanderers before in their most recent game Rovers beat Exeter City 3-1 in a crucial game, Curran, Labadie and Edds scoring the Tranmere goals.
Other notable results at Prenton Park for Tranmere Rovers this season include wins over Gillingham (4-2), Brentford (1-0), Bristol Rovers (2-0) and Carlisle United (2-0).
Tranmere have played 22 home games so far this season, picking up 33 of an available 66 points, thanks to ten wins, three draws and nine defeats.
Notable results away from home for Les Parry's side this season include wins over Wycombe Wanderers (1-0) and Gillingham (1-0), as well as a 3-3 draw with Huddersfield Town and an F.A. Cup win over Aldershot (2-1).
Les Parry's side come into this match in 21st place in the League One table, two points away from safety, having played 44 games and picked up 45 of an available 126 points, thanks to twelve wins, nine draws and 23 defeats.
Double Hit:
As well as Jason Price, one link between the two clubs is Rovers legend Chris Malkin, who joined Tranmere from Millwall in 1995.
Malkin joined Tranmere from None League club AFC Stork in 1987 and went on to become a hugely important part of John King's side that was twice promoted, played in the Leyland DAF Trophy final at Wembley twice, reached a League Cup semi-final and competed in the play-offs to reach the Premier League.
Malkin played over 300 times for Rovers, partnering record goalscorers Ian Muir and John Aldridge up front, and was well liked at Prenton Park for his tireless work rate and hard working performances.
The pinnicle of his career was without doubt in 1991, when Malkin scored the winning goal in the play-off final against Bolton Wanderers at Wembley, as Rovers secured a place in Division Two.
In 1995, having scored 76 goals for ths club, Malkin left Tranmere for Millwall for £400,000 and would remain with the Lions for one season, scoring fifteen times in 59 appearances before joining Blackpool for £275,000 in 1996.
Three years at Blackpool saw Malkin fail to ever return the same form he'd produced at Tranmere and Millwall, and having scored just seven times in 78 games for the club, he was released, joining Telford.
A short spell at Telford was followed by stints with Chester and Oswestry before Malkin retired in the early 2000, taking up a career as a physio.
Until recently, Malkin was physio for Aston Villa and recently returned to Tranmere Rovers to help out Les Parry after the sacking of John Barnes. After resigning from his post at Aston Villa, Malkin now lives and works back on the Wirral.
One To Watch: Steve Morison
26 year old Steve Morison has had his career revitalised after joining Millwall in the summer from None League side Stevenage. The striker started his career with Northampton and was in the first team squad for three years with the Cobblers, but after netting just three times in 28 appearances for the club he was release, joining Bishop's Stortford on a free-transfer.
In two years with Bishop's Stortford, Morison began to make a name for himself, scoring 28 goals in 45 league games for the club before joining Stevenage in 2006.
Morison continued his strong goalscoring form with Stevenage and became known as one of the best strikers outside of the Football League. He remained with the club for three years and in that time was capped by the England C (Amateur) side, scoring three times in eight games for his country.
In 2009, having scored 76 goals in 142 games for the club, Morison joined Millwall, who snapped the striker up for £130,000.
The move proved to be one that would turn his career around. Since joining the Lions, Morison has scored 20 goals in just 47 games, including nine in his last eleven matches and one against Tranmere earlier this season.
Standing at 6'2, the striker is strong on the floor and in the air and will cause Tranmere's defence some problems on Saturday. Morison wears the number 20 shirt for the club.
League One Fixtures:
With just two games left in the League One football season, all 24 teams are in action in some important fixtures this Saturday afternoon.
Bristol Rovers vs. Norwich
Carlisle vs. Walsall
Charlton vs. Leeds United
Gillingham vs. Southampton
Hartlepool vs. Exeter
Huddersfield vs. Colchester
Leyton Orient vs. Wycombe
MK Dons vs. Brighton
Southend vs. Stockport
Swindon vs. Brentford
Tranmere vs. Millwall
Yeovil vs. Oldham
The League Table:
Stockport County and Southend United have already been relegated from League One, and they could be joined this weekend by Wycombe Wanderers, should the chairboys fail to win or should Exeter and Gillingham both win. Tranmere Rovers too could be relegated if they lose and Exeter, Leyton Orient and Gillingham draw or win. If Tranmere win though they will take the matter down to the final game of the season.
At the other end of the table, a win for Leeds and defeat for Millwall would mean the Yorkshire side have secured promotion back to the Championship at the third attempt.Team News:
Tranmere will announce tomorrow whether they have extended the loan stay of Liverpool 'keeper Peter Gulacsi who has come in on an emergency loan deal due to injuries to Luke Daniels (tailbone) and Joe Collister (thigh).
Shay Logan returned against Colchester last week and played the 90 minutes, and as such is set to start again in this game, whilst Andy Robinson could start after another impressive performance as a substitute last weekend. However, Rovers will be without Paul McLaren due to a thigh injury whilst Chris McCready could again miss out.
Jones' Prediction: Tranmere Rovers 2-1 Millwall
As big a game as this is for Millwall, who are looking to beat Leeds United in the race for second place, this game is also huge for Tranmere Rovers, and Les Parry will be keen for his side to pick up a vital three points in this game as they look to win the battle against relegation to League Two.
There's no doubt that Millwall will be fired up for this game, and desperate to pick up three points, but Tranmere too will be raring to go and hopeful of picking up at least a point from this game.
Les Parry's side should have some confidence, having picked up a credible draw at Colchester last week and having already beaten Norwich and Southampton at home this season, so perhaps the players will believe they can pick something up in this match.
The key for Rovers is attacking their opposition from the off and getting an early goal. Recently, when they've done well, especially against Southampton and Norwich, Rovers scored early and this instilled a huge amount of confidence in the team, so if Rovers can do this again against Millwall then they will hopefully pick up a positive result.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:04:29:20:38:57 by Deadly Submarine.
..honestly can't see us getting all three points though but maybe a draw perhaps?
We can do it, we've proved we can beat the top teams in this league at home this season and we can do it again tomorrow. We've got to believe and we've got to put in a performance. It's time for the lads to make us proud.
SWA
in another post i said 1-1, maybe a late 2-1 victory to us.
fingers crossed.