Tranmere Rovers v Bury: Match Preview

Our Match Preview writer Louise Formston takes a look ahead to Saturday afternoon's final game of the season at home to promotion chasing Bury........

This preview was always going to be difficult; had it gone to the wire I’d have been a bag of nerves looking at all the statistics that didn’t point in our favour. Instead, I am not only previewing the final league game of the season, but our final Football League game for at least another year.  Apologies for a shorter than usual preview – a combination of relegation depression and end of Degree stress has taken its toll this week!

Whilst Tranmere’s fate has been decided, Bury still have everything to play for and will come to Prenton Park looking for all three points.  Should Southend, currently sitting third and in the final automatic promotion place, manage to beat Morecambe on Saturday – Bury will be facing a nerve-wracking journey through the playoffs. 

If Southend draw, and Bury win there is potential for that third spot to be decided on goal difference, only just sitting in Bury’s favour right now.  A Bury win and Southend lose, it will be Southend who face further games in their quest for League One football.  So with a chance to spoil Bury’s party and reward our long suffering fans, here’s hoping Tranmere play to their best and produce a performance to be proud of.

Form Guide:

Tranmere head into Saturday having gained just a single point in April, acquired back on Good Friday as Tranmere spent the Bank Holiday in Stevenage. However, with a change of management and goals from Max Power and Kayode Odejayi helping to end a four game goal drought last Saturday there’s always hope that May could have a different ending. 

Bury on the other hand, lost twice in April, once against fellow promotion chasers Southend and again against Morecambe at the start of the month.  With the five games all being resounding wins for the Shakers, they’ll be hoping to get a sixth win in just over a month on Saturday.  Away from home, Bury have won eleven games versus Tranmere’s five home wins.  The odds are not great for Rovers’ fans with William Hill placing them at a considerably short 5/1 for a win and Bury at 8/15 for a win.

Previous Meetings:

The two sides have already met twice this season, once in the League and once in the JPT but both away from home at Gigg Lane (or for sponsorship purposes the JD Stadium).  The League game ended in a 2-0 win for Bury thanks to goals from Etuhu and Nardiello.  Ex-Rovers striker Ryan Lowe featured in the game with former Tranmere player Joe Thompson watching on from the sidelines.

However, when Rovers returned a month later under a new manager, the tables were turned as goals from Max Power and Danny Johnson (on-loan from Cardiff and now with Stevenage) saw Tranmere cruise to a 2-1 win and into the Northern Semi-Finals of the JPT.  No Ryan Lowe in this game, but Joe Thompson did come on as a late substitution.  On a side note, Bury’s record League win is an 8-0 thrashing of Tranmere Rovers back in 1970.  Too much to hope for a reverse of the scoreline come Saturday?

Marcus Holness is still out for Rovers

Injuries and Suspensions:

Danny Holmes missed the game against Plymouth and it’s unlikely he will be back for Bury.  I’d like to wish him a speedy recovery as his effort and commitment to the cause is part of the reason we weren’t relegated sooner.  Marcus Holness has yet to make his return from injury but Matt Hill made his first start after injury last weekend and looks likely to retain his left-back position.

The Opposition Dugout:

David Flitcroft is in the man in charge of Bury, having been at Gigg Lane since December 2013.  Having played for Bury, Preston North End and Chester throughout his career, Flitcroft turned his hand to management in 2012 taking charge of Barnsley after the sacking of Keith Hill.  After ensuring Championship survival for Barnsley, Flitcroft remained at the club until November 2013, when following a win rate of just 31% and a defeat to Birmingham City, Flitcroft was handed his P45.

However he did not have to wait long as just over a week later, he was appointed Bury manager as the club sat just above the relegation zone.  Securing a 12^th place finish that season, Flitcroft has gone from strength to strength this season and is on the brink of clinching promotion with the Shakers.  Earlier in the week Flitcroft expressed his sadness at losing a ‘member of the North West football family’ and encouraged Bury supporters to show respect come Saturday.

One to Watch:

Danny Rose (English) - 21

Danny Rose has already grabbed ten League goals this season and is a large part of Bury’s success.  The striker is still young (depressingly, he’s younger than I am) and having started his career at Barnsley, quickly made an impression during early loans to Bury.  Scoring 3 in 6 on his first loan, and 1 in 1 before Bury moved quickly to sign the striker last summer on a 3-year deal.

Since then, Rose has a scoring record of every three games and has failed to score in the last three games he’s played in.  Either his goals are drying up or he’s saving at least two for Saturday?!  Regardless, Rose is 1/1 with SkyBet to score anytime tomorrow 4/1 first scorer.

Former players shared by the club include Ryan Lowe – the less said about him the better for now I think and Joe Thompson, who also made the move to the Shakers last summer after his contract wasn’t renewed with Rovers.  Defender Jim McNulty is also now a Bury player having moved from Barnsley last January reuniting with old boss David Flitcroft.  McNulty had a short spell at Tranmere during last season before returning to Barnsley.  Danny Mayor also had a very brief (just three appearances) spell at Prenton Park back in 2009 when he was a PNE player but has been with Bury since 2013.

Around the League:

Cheltenham vs Wimbledon:  Fellow relegation sufferers Cheltenham will also end their season in front of their own fans whilst Wimbledon will settle for a mid-table finish.

Cambridge vs Burton:  Burton will continue to celebrate their promotion as they take a trip down South on Saturday.

Carlisle vs Hartlepool:  This could have been the game to send us down but instead the North East rivalry will be the most exciting part of the 90 minutes as both teams are safe this season.

My Predictions:

Jason Koumas stated in his article in the Echo this week that the fans would see a different Tranmere on Saturday.  With that in mind, I hope for a team made up of players most likely to be here next season with a mix of our youth team who have recently been handed professional contracts.  The last few games we’ve dominated possession but appeared to scared to take chances in front of goal.

I would encourage all our players to take on a shot on Saturday, and play with some freedom knowing that nothing can happen should they lose the game. Hopefully with the threat of relegation no longer present, the team should enjoy themselves on the pitch and show the fans what next season could bring.

Predictions? 3-0 Tranmere: sorry Bury, enjoy the play-offs!

(Disclaimer, I do think we might get beat!)

Total Tranmere would like to thank Louise for her efforts this seasons with her enjoyable and very informative previews.  In such a short space of time since beginning them, the Previews have become an article to look forward too every week before a game.