Brentford v Tranmere Match Preview
By Matthew Jones
August 25 2011
Total Tranmere brings you all the stats, facts and team news you need to know ahead of Tranmere's fifth League One game of the season against Brentford on Saturday
Tranmere play their fifth League One game of the season this weekend as they once again travel to London, this time to take on Brentford at Griffin Park.
The Bees have started the season in fantastic form under new manager Uwe Rosler, winning three of their opening four league games and they will be keen to push on and pick up three more points this weekend against a side they've traditionally done well against in the last few years.
However, this won't be an easy game for either side with both teams full of confidence and looking to continue their strong starts to the campaign.
Brentford team factfile:
Ground: Griffin Park
Formed: 1889
Nickname: The Bees
Manager: Uwe Rosler
League Finish 2011/12: 11th (League One)
Kit Colours: White and red striped shirt with black trim, black shorts and socks (Home), Yellow and black striped shirt with black sleeves, yellow shorts and socks (Away)
Previous Meetings:
Tranmere and Brentford last met at Griffin Park in February, where an absolutely stunning strike from midfielder Joss Labadie wasn't enough to earn Rovers any points as Les Parry's side suffered a 2-1 defeat.
The game didn't start well for Tranmere as they were behind within two minutes as Charlie MacDonald headed home from close range to give the Bees an early lead.
Both sides had further chances before the end of the first half, but after going in 1-0 behind, Tranmere came out for the start of the second half pushing for an equaliser, with Labadie, Akins and Showunmi both having chances before the hour mark.
Then, on 65-minutes Rovers equalised through a sensational strike from Labadie, who smashed into the top corner from at least 35-yards after collecting the ball inside the Brentford half.
The game looked destined for a draw, however, deep into injury time the Bees got a late, late winners as after Rovers failed to deal with a corner, Leon Legge headed home Saunders' cross.
Vital Stats:
In 21 trips to Brentford, Tranmere have registered just five wins, losing on eleven occasions
Rovers are without a win in their last six trips to Griffin Park, a run dating back to the 2002/03 season
Four of Tranmere's five away wins against Brentford have been in Saturday fixtures (15 games)
Rovers have netted 22 goals compared to Brentford's 39 in their away trips to Griffin Park
Tranmere haven't started their league season without defeat in any of their first four Saturday league games since 2006/07
On This Day:
2005: Gareth Roberts scores a stunning free kick as Tranmere win 2-0 at Saltergate against Chesterfield
2004: A 4-2 Friday night success against Sheffield Wednesday lifts Tranmere up to second in the League One table, with Zola, Jackson, Taylor and Hume netting for Brian Little's side
2001: Clint Hill and Sean Flynn score for Dave Watson's Tranmere as they win 2-1 away to Stoke on Bank Holiday Monday
Tranmere Rovers have played 26 previous fixtures on this day, picking up thirteen wins, seven draws and just six defeats. In these 26 games they have scored 40 goals and conceded on 31 occasions.
The Prenton Park side have actually won four successive games on this day and only lost once on August 27th since 1969, playing eleven games since whilst they have won five of twelve away games on this day.
The Form Book:
Tranmere Rovers first four games: DLWLW
Brentford first five games: WWLLW
Brentford had a good season last year, as they finished 11th in the League One table despite a shocking start to the campaign and made it to the Johnstones Paint Trophy final at Wembley Stadium, where they eventually lost 1-0 to Carlisle United.
They finished their 2010/11 season with just one win from eight games, but they've started the new campaign under new boss Uwe Rosler in completely different fashion, winning three of their opening four league games.
The Bees started their season with a 2-0 win over Yeovil Town, Saunders and Logan on the scoresheet, before suffering successive defeats, firstly to Hereford in the League Cup (1-0) and then high flying Sheffield United at Bramall Lane (2-1).
Since these defeats however, Brentford's form has turned around as they've picked up two wins from their last two matches, firstly with a narrow 2-1 win over Exeter City before they annihalted Leyton Orient 5-0 at Griffin Park in their most recent match.
All this means the Bees have picked up nine of an available twelve points from their first four league games, leaving them in fourth place in the League One table.
Tranmere Rovers have started the season in fine form, picking up two wins from their opening four league games, whilst they won their first two league games for the first time in over 20 years.
Les Parry's side started the season with a 1-0 win over Chesterfield thanks to a second half strike from Robbie Weir before they suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Championship side Doncaster Rovers in the League Cup.
Rovers then bounced back to record a 1-0 win over Leyton Orient in their second league game thanks to a stunning strike from debutant David Buchanan, before in their most recent game they took the lead against Notts County thanks to a superb hit from John Welsh, but eventually slipped to a 3-2 defeat, with David Raven and Adam McGurk both getting sent off.
Then, in their most recent game, Tranmere came from behind to draw 1-1 with Sheffield United thanks to a late header from substitute Joss Labadie, who's Rovers' leading scorer so far this campaign with two goals.
Tranmere therefore come into this game having picked up seven of an available 12 points from their opening four games, meaning they lie seventh in the table.
Double Hit:
Brentford signed former Tranmere loanee Shay Logan this summer following his release by Manchester City.
22-year old Logan came through the youth ranks at the City of Manchester stadium but following the huge investment pumped into the club over the last few years, he failed to really make the break through into the City first team, making just three first team appearances in four years as a professional with the club.
He spent plenty of time away from the club on loan however, firstly at Grimsby in 2007 where he made five appearances and scored two goals, Scunthorpe, also in 2007 where he made a further four appearances and Stockport in 2008 for whom he made another seven appearances.
In 2009, Logan then became one of John Barnes' first signings for Tranmere Rovers, joining the Prenton Park club on a season long loan deal.
Over the course of the year, he went on to make himself one of the key players in the Tranmere squad as he eventually helped them beat the relegation battle with a 3-0 win over Stockport on the final day of the season.
In total, he made 39 appearances for Tranmere in his year with the club before returning to Manchester City, where he would play reserve team football for a year.
He was released by City in the summer and joined Brentford on a free transfer and has since made four appearances for the club, scoring once, though he missed the 5-0 win over Leyton Orient last Saturday through injury.
The right-back, who watched Tranmere's 2-0 friendly defeat to Altrincham earlier this summer, wears the number 14 shirt for the Bees.
One To Watch:
Winger Niall McGinn is currently on a season long loan deal at Griffin Park from Scottish football giants Glasgow Celtic.
A Northern Ireland international, McGinn has already proved himself to be an important player for the Bees so far this season as he netted in their 5-0 win over Leyton Orient last weekend.
The 24-year old joined Celtic in 2009 after starting his career in his native Northern Ireland where he played for Dungannon Swifts and Derry City, from whom he joined Celtic for an undisclosed fee.
The winger, who can play either wing, has already made his Celtic debut but has failed to hold down a regular place at Park Head, making 38 appearances over 2 and a half years with the club.
He joined Brentford in July and has missed only one game so far this season, that being the League Cup defeat to Hereford, as he was on international duty with Northern Ireland.
McGinn, who has won 14 full international caps for his country, is fast, skillful and tricky to deal with for any full back and wears the number 18 shirt for Uew Rosler's side.
Around League One:
There is a full round of fixtures in League One this weekend, all kicking off at 3pm on Saturday afternoon with the exception of Yeovil vs. Sheffield United, which begins at 1pm
Bournemouth vs. Walsall
Brentford vs. Tranmere
Bury vs. Charlton
Colchester vs. Oldham
Exeter vs. Chesterfield
Huddersfield vs. Wycombe
Leyton Orient vs. Carlisle
MK Dons vs. Stevenage
Peston vs. Notts County
Rochdale vs. Hartlepool
Sheffield Wednesday vs. Scunthorpe
Team News:
Tranmere's Adam McGurk remains suspended after picking up a three match ban for a straight red card against Notts County, but David Raven is available for selection again for Les Parry's side and is likely to be named in the match day squad.
The Rovers boss does have a tough choice to make in midfield, with Joss Labadie having netted in his last two first team games and for the reserves in midweek, so he is pushing for a first team place but is once again likely to be on the bench.
Rovers do have a fully fit squad to choose from now too, with Andy Coughlin likely to return to the squad after injury in place of John Courtney, whilst one of Mustafa Tiryaki, who scored a hatrick for the reserves against Morecambe on Wednesday, or Ash Taylor is likely to make way on the bench for David Raven.
Jones’ Prediction: Brentford 1-2 Tranmere
Brentford have so far proven they will be no mugs in League One this season after a solid start to the season and some great summer signings.
However, Tranmere Rovers too have had their best start in the league for some time and they too will go into this game confident of picking up a positive result in this match, something they are well capable of in my opinion.
The key for Rovers is the form of winger Martin Devaney, who tore Sheffield United apart at times in the first half of Tranmere's 1-1 draw against the Blades at Prenton Park last weekend. If he continues in the same vein of form, then he is well capable of creating plenty of chances for both himself and his team mates.
Tranmere must hold strong in defence too though, with Brentford already having netted nine league goals this season, including five in their most recent game against Leyton Orient.
Their strikers have been in great form so far so Ian Goodison and Mark McChrystal will have to hold firm in central defence, whilst winger Niall McGinn will be a tough opponent for Tranmere's full-backs.
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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2011:08:28:12:44:46 by Deadly Submarine.
i think they will just nick it 2 1
3 goals in a row.
3 goals in consective away games at Griffin Park.
However when he does score there, the equaliser eventually results in a 2-1 defeat, it's like some kind of supernatural jinx event.
Hopefully it won't happen again, or alternatively drop him and don't name him as a sub either, so it can't possibly happen again
.
I'm not supersticious though, so I think he should be in the matchday squad.
Then I ate his Liver.......... with some baked beans and a can of coke.