Fan Blog 2: The Modern Day Mr Tranmere
By Mark Ridgway
November 15 2010
Mark Ridgway brings us the second in his series of blogs, which takes a closer look at Mr Tranmere himself, veteran Jamaican defender Ian Goodison and his career with Tranmere Rovers so far......
Wehn speaking currently of Mr Tranmere Rovers, surely only one man can spring to mind, a certain Jamaican centre half. I am of course referring to our cult hero Ian Goodison, how has clocked up over 300 appearances whites since signing in 2004.
One of former manager Brian Little’s greatest decisions at the club, was bringing in the international star who he previously worked with at Hull City.
Goodison has probably lost count of the amount of different centre backs he’s played alongside, as Rovers two year revolving door has destroyed his partnerships with the likes of Mike Jackson and Ben Chorley. The defender also played at left back, but next manager Ronnie Moore cemented his home in the centre.
He holds his countries all-time appearance record with 113 caps, and he was pivotal to the 1998 side that reached the world cup finals in France, and he captained the side that beat Japan.
'Pepe' as he’s known back home, has played through the pain barrier too often to make the doctor cringe, but he continues to get away with it. The big man became a father in 2008 to baby Lesvaldo.
He is not known for his goal scoring prowess, prior to the 2009/10 season he averaged less than a goal a season, however last season he scored three, including one in the final day survival at Stockport and has already netted twice this season against Walsall and Bournemouth in Cup games.
At the end of this year we feared it would be the end of the veteran, who is will turn 38 within a few weeks; however we needn’t have worried, as he continued to defy the odds when he signed a one year contract extension. The recently crowned North-West League One Player of the Year isn’t going anywhere yet, so we have nothing to worry about.
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We have players ready made for it like Ash Taylor and I also thikn Blanchard too, but Grandison might be an option if he was released, possibly Bakayogo could adapt and Les will still have Broomes.
Seeing what kind of players Les has procured with frankly rubbish money, is actually, (now there's a consistent team he van select), very good in my opinion. I think he could be likened in some way to Ian Holloway, in terms of Tranmere's standard of signings, versus the cost permissible.
I have been particularly heartened by signings like Labadie, Shwounmi, Blanchard, Cathalina to some extent and Wotton, Grandison and Gulasci. Other players for me have been decent enough. Even Kayleden Brown was okay, certainly a lot less stinky than Kithson Bain, so I wouldn't doubt if Ian hung up his boots, the Les could get 2 or 3 good replacements even if his naff budget remained naff, which I suspect it will.