Colchester United v Tranmere Rovers Match Preview
By Matthew Jones
September 23 2010
Total Tranmere brings you all the stats, facts and team news you need to know ahead of Saturday's League One game against Colchester United
Colchester are a decent side who currently lie midtable in League One, and with John Ward in charge, they have an experienced manager who knows what it takes to build a strong lower league side.
However, as we've seen in recent weeks, Tranmere are well capable of raising their game against high placed opposition, and they will be hopeful of doing that again this weekend against the U's in Essex.
Colchester United Factfile:
Ground: Weston Homes Communities Stadium
Formed: 1937
Nickname: The U's
Manager: John Ward
League Finish 2009/10: 8th
Kit
Colours: White abd blue striped shirt, blue shorts and white socks (home), red shirt with black sleeves, black shorts and socks
(away)
Previous Meetings:
Both games between these two sides last season ended as draws, with John Barnes picking up one of his seven points as Tranmere managed against the U's in September, and then Les Parry picking up a vital point in Tranmere's battle against relegation in their penultimate away game of the season against the U's in April.
In
a very even game that niether side particularly deserved to win,
Tranmere had two early claims for penalties that were both turned down,
with referee Mr. Bratt first ignoring appeals from Aaron Cresswell and
then Paul McLaren within the first ten minutes. Thomas-Moore
and Ricketts both had chances for Tranmere whilst Daniels made a couple
of saves at the other end before Rovers took the lead on 35-minutes,
when John Welsh tapped the ball home from close range after Williams had
saved from Broomes. Tranmere's
lead lasted only two minutes though as former Watford player John Joe
O'Toole netted from close range as he latched on to Odejayi's cross
following good work from the former Cheltenham player in side the area. The
half ended 1-1 and the second period started with several chances,
Daniels saving from Platt whilst Thomas-Moore had a shot on target again
for Tranmere, whilst Cresswell did well to clear off the line from
Lisbie's effort at the other end. Niether side though could find the break through and the game ended a deserved draw, with each side happy to take a point. At the Weston Homes Communities Stadium in April, Rovers then continued their record of never losing when Ian Thomas-Moore scored that season, with the striker netting his twelfth of the season as Tranmere picking up a valuable draw. Colchester took the lead after just four minutes of the game, Anthony Wordsworth smashing home a volley which left goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi with no chance, but just two minutes later, Tranmere equalised as Ian Thomas-Moore netted with a rebound after Joss Labadie's shot had been well saved. From then on, Tranmere really could have won the game, with Ian Thomas-Moore and Zoumana Bakayogo coming close to a second for Rovers, only to be thwarted by Colchester goalkeeper Williams.
The U's then had Williams to thank again in injury time, as the shot-stopper made an awesome save from Marlon Broomes' volley to earn the home side a point in a match which they could quite comfortably have lost.
Vital Stats:
Since they moved to the Weston Homes Communities Stadium, Colchester have failed to win a home match against Tranmere
Colchester have won nine of 24 home games against Rovers, with Tranmere winning on seven occasions
In the last ten meetings between the two sides, there has only been over two goals scored in one match twice
Rovers have scored 27 times in 24 trips to Colchester, conceding on 35 occasions
Tranmere have won four of twelve September meetings between the two sides
On This Day:
2004: Iain Hume scores twice, including a last gasp winner, to help Tranmere to a 2-1 victory over Torquay United
2001: Rovers pick up their customary defeat at Ashton Gate, losing 2-0 to Bristol City in Division Two
1999: John Aldridge's Tranmere come from behind twice to draw 2-2 with Charlton Athletic at Prenton Park, Geroges Santos and Wayne Allison the scorers
Tranmere Rovers have played twenty previous games on this day, winning eight times and drawing on five occasions, as well as picking up seven defeats. In these twenty games, Rovers have scored 27 goals and conceded 21 times. In their history, Tranmere have won just once in seven attempts away from home on this day
The Form Book:
Colchester United first three home games games: DDD
Tranmere Rovers first four away games: LDDW
The U's started the season with a 2-2 draw against Exeter, Wordsworth scoring twice in the opening eleven minutes, before the U's knocked League Two side Hereford United out of the Calring Cup thanks to a 3-0 win.
Colchester then drew in their first home game of the season, holding Sheffield Wednesday to a 1-1 draw, before beating League One newcomers Rochdale 2-1 at Spotland.
After being knocked out of the Carling Cup by Premier League side Sunderland, Colchester then picked up a creditable 1-1 draw with Carlisle United before defeated Walsall 1-0 at the Bescott Stadium, midfielder Andy Bond the scorer.
24-year old Bond, who Tranmere offered a contract to in the summer, then got his third of the season as Colchester drew 1-1 with Plymouth at home, before in their most recent game, the U's drew 0-0 with struggling Southampton at St. Marys.
John Ward's side currently lie ninth in the League One table, picking up eleven of 21 available points so far this season, thanks to fifth draws and two wins.
Along with Carlisle United, Colchester are one of just two sides yet to be defeated in the league this season in NPower League One.
Rovers started the season with a home defeat against Oldham, losing 2-1 despite a late strike from Ian Thomas-Moore, before travelling to Walsall and picking up an excellent 1-0 win in the first round of the Carling Cup thanks to a striker from Ian Goodison.
Four days later, Tranmere picked up another excellent result on the road as they drew 0-0 with Huddersfield Town before losing disappointingly to Bournemouth at Prenton Park, suffering a 3-0 defeat.
Rovers were then knocked out of the Carling Cup at the second round stage, suffering an undeserved 3-1 defeat to Swansea City before maintaining their unbeaten record on the road, coming back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Dagenham and Redbridge thanks to late strikes from Enoch Showunmi and Aaron Cresswell.
In their most recent match, Tranmere then came from behind to draw 1-1 with Charlton Athletic, with Enoch Shwounmi netting his fourth goal of the season in the match.
All this means that Tranmere have picked up two of an available nine points on the road so far this season, thanks to two draws and one defeat.
Rovers then come into this game in 21st place in League One, having picked up six points from an available 21 in their opening seven games, winning once, drawing tthree and losing three so far in the league this season.
Double Hit:
The only link that could be found between the two teams is a striker named Brian Westlake. Westlake joined Tranmere in 1966 from Halifax Town, playing fourteen games for the club and scoring three goals over the course of the season before joining Colchester.
Whilst at Colchester, Westlake played sixteen games and scored a further five goals before moving to Belgium to play for Royal Daring.
One To Watch:
Don't be mislead by his
height, minature Colchester midfielder David Perkins is a strong,
experienced player who finally appears to have settled in the south after a spell on loan at Stockport last season.
The midfielder came through
the youth ranks at Morecambe and over seven years made 199 appearances
for the club before moving to Rochdale in January 2007 for an
undisclosed fee.
Whilst at Spotland, Perkins was a relevation and
was rated by many as one of the best midfielders in the division as he
helped the club to the 2007/08 play-off final, ironically against
Stockport, but he missed the match due to suspension.
He
lasted just eighteen months at Spotland, making 63 appearances and
scoring five goals, before his appearances became too much for the
League Two club to hold on to, and he moved to Colchester for an
undisclosed fee.
However, Perkins, after a good first season in Essex, struggled to adapt to life
in the south and yearned for a move back to the north. After making 43
appearances for the U's during the 2008/09 season, he played just seven times last year before moving to Chesterfield on loan.
The move back to
the north was just what he wanted, and after making 14 appearances for
the Spireites, he moved to Stockport, also on loan, in January 2010. Over the remainder of the season, he made 22 appearances for the club but failed to help them move away from the relegation zone.
Since returning to Colchester in the summer, Perkins has become an important player for the club and has appeared in all nine of the club's games this season.
A small,
diminutive player, Perkins is vital in the centre of Colchester's
midfield and capable of providing goalscoring opportunities for this
team. He will work tirelessly all day long, running after every loose
ball and happy to put in plenty of tackles in the centre of the park.
The blonde-haired 28 year old wears the number 17 shirt for The U's.
Around League One:
There are twelve fixtures in NPower League One this weekend, with only Leyton Orient's home game against Brentford not taking place on Saturday afternoon, with the two teams facing each other on Friday evening.
Bournemouth vs. Carlisle
Brighton vs. Oldham
Bristol Rovers vs. Notts County
Charlton vs. Dagenham and Redbridge
Colchester vs. Tranmere
Hartlepool vs. Walsall
Peterborough vs. MK Dons
Rochdale vs. Plymouth
Sheffield Wednesday vs. Southampton
Swindon vs. Huddersfield
Yeovil vs. Exeter
Team News:
Jones' Prediction: Colchester United 1-1 Tranmere Rovers
Following their 1-1 draw with Charlton at the weekend, Tranmere
will be confident that they can get at least a point in this NPower
League One fixture.
Rovers have had good success at the Weston Homes Communties Stadium in
the past and will be hopeful of continuing that form this weekend, and
with only one away defeat behind them so far this season, there's will
be a bit of confidence for Les Parry's side to hopefully build on.
Tranmere therefore have every chance of forcing a draw this weekend at Colchester, though there's every chance that they could sneak all three points if they put in a similar display to their second half one against Charlton.
Tranmere must continue to use Aaron Cresswell as a main attacking outlet on the left, as the full-back caused numerous problems for Charlton last weekend with his excellent crossing and superb set-pieces.
Les Parry's side though must also continue to stick together at the back. Rovers' solidarity in defence has been built upon in recent weeks at home, though away from home Tranmere have conceded five in their last two, so it is important that they put in a strong display at the back.
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Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2010:09:26:11:12:40 by Deadly Submarine.
0 - 3 time they clicked I think
I'd really like to see them get 2 at Colchester, but Colchester are a good team, so getting form is important and given how Tranmere can play defensively, against teams like Peterborough and Huddersfield, they can win this, especially as the last 2 times, they haven't lost to Colchester.
Dale will shake em all up tomorrow
only around twenty minutes gone looks like the flood gatesperhaps the team should have gone fishing
3-0 is deffo
can we pack in now whilst were ahead of any thing worse
Quote:Seems it a pity the other ten have not started withMatthew the rover
Just announced on our Twitter page...Dale Jennings will be starting for Tranmere tomorrow
him 3-0 down