Match Preview: Tranmere Rovers v Eastleigh
By Louise Formston
October 8 2015
As Tranmere prepare for the first of two home games next week with the visit of Eastleigh to Prenton Park on Saturday, Louise Formston returns with her match preview ahead of the game.....
This Saturday sees Rovers take on another team from down south as Eastleigh make the 240 mile journey up to Prenton Park. Eastleigh started well this season but have seen their campaign stall of late, Tranmere meanwhile have seen an improvement in form over the last few weeks – something they’ll be keen to continue this weekend.
Form Guide:
Tranmere go into Saturday’s game on the back of a 2-2 draw away at Wrexham, arguably a decent point against a side expected to be in and around the top by the end of the season. Before that, Rovers’ had won their previous three games, including one away at fellow promotion hopefuls Cheltenham. Overall their record at Prenton Park has been decent this season, only losing one game back in August against Boreham Wood and winning another six.
Eastleigh won their last away game, a 3-2 win against Wrexham back in September, but at the weekend they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Braintree Town. Eastleigh’s form over their last ten games has seen them win four games, lose five games and draw just the one. The Spitfires have played more teams currently in the bottom half than the top, with Tranmere being their sixth.
Despite a patchy away form this season, Eastleigh are scoring more goals away from home, and conceding less but they’re coming up against a pretty solid home defence on Saturday with Rovers’ only conceding five so far in front of their home fans. Should Tranmere win or draw on Saturday they will go ten games unbeaten – I don’t think I can remember a time we’ve even gone nine unbeaten, never mind ten!
Injuries and Suspensions:
No new injury concerns for Rovers ahead of Saturday and no suspensions either! All the players seemed to come through Tuesday’s game okay, despite Maynard taking a heavy knock so I would expect the same team to start on Saturday as a result!
The Opposition Dugout:
Defender Chris Todd is currently acting manager of Eastleigh after the departure of Richard Hill in September. Hill had been with Eastleigh for three years and oversaw their promotion from the Conference South in the 2013/2014 season but was sacked last month after Eastleigh went five games with out a win – imagine if we employed that philosophy at Rovers’ over the last few years?! Tranmere fans might recognise Hill’s name as he was assistant manager here at Prenton Park under Brian Little and was a part of our cup run back in 2005.
Current manager Todd hasn’t named himself on the team sheet since taking over but he is still listed as a player for Eastleigh. The 34-year old has played for Torquay and Newport amongst others since he started his career at Swansea City. Since Todd took charge Eastleigh have won one and lost one, with that win coming in an away game! Since advertising their managerial vacancy on their website Eastleigh have stated they’ve received a lot of interest in the position, including one from a fan in Scotland who’s application has since gone viral. Sadly he has not made the short list but if you want to see more check out #gazforeastleigh on Twitter.
One To Watch:
James Constable (31) - Striker:
Constable signed for Eastleigh at the start of last season after turning down a new deal with Oxford. The striker started his career at Chippenham Town in 2003 before moving to Walsall, Kidderminster Harriers and Oxford. Whilst at Oxford, Constable made over two hundred appearances between 2008 and 2014 and scoring a hundred and six goals, leaving him one short of the club record. The number nine became Eastleigh’s top goal scorer last season, finishing on nineteen goals. He’s already got five this season, making him Eastleigh’s number one goal scorer for this season so far.
Other players within the Eastleigh squad worth mentioning are Dan Harding and Joe Partington, both defenders, who are the only two players to have played in every game so far this season.
Around the League:
Forest Green vs Guiseley: Current table toppers FGR will take on Guiseley this weekend as they aim to stay top of the league
Gateshead vs Cheltenham: A draw would probably be the ideal situation for Rovers here, keeping Gateshead at a distance but not letting Cheltenham gain too much of an advantage.
Southport vs Torquay: This game won’t affect Rovers’ but it’s already a bottom of the table clash, with the winner possibly getting the chance to jump out of the relegation zone.
My Starting XI:
Davies
Sutton Riley Hogan Hill
Dawson Harris Maynard Mekki
Margetts Mangan
It’s the same team from the last two games for me, no need to make any changes. Maynard is flourishing in this central role and is working well with Harris. If a change is absolutely needed, I’d swap Norwood for either Margetts or Mangan, who both may struggle to play three games in seven days when neither of them has been completely fit so far this season. The defence look solid so lets leave them be, even if Ihiekwe is fit I think Sutton is working better at right back and has played his part in a lot of our goals lately.
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I would (and I never thought I'd say this at the beginning of the season...) keep Maynard in as the lad has really worked his nuts off which is more than can be said for Jenno who IMO gives the impression he's better than this league. Some of his defensive play against Wrexham was shocking and allowed Wrexham to get back in the game.
Only change I'd make is Norwood in for Margetts
I felt Margetts offered little on Tuesday, certainly in terms of effort compared to Norwood.