Match Preview: Tranmere Rovers v Southport

As Tranmere prepare to host Southport on Saturday afternoon, Louise Formston returns with her match preview ahead of the game.....

With 5 wins in 6 and a second home game on the bounce, Rovers will be hoping to extend their unbeaten run as they host Southport this Saturday.

Form Guide:

Last weekend’s 2-1 win over Torquay saw Rovers win their third game on the run, and their fifth in six games.  The three points put Rovers back into the play offs with 50 points, although there are a number of teams with games in hand over us. Southport meanwhile haven’t played in 10 days after their game against Boreham Wood was called off last weekend.  Their last outing ended in a 1-0 defeat to Forest Green.  Hopefully the extra rest won’t help Southport and instead they’ll arrive not remembering how to kick a ball.

Previous Meeting:

The two sides met back in September.  Southport were ahead at half time with goals from Gary Jones and Mike Phenix however Rovers fought back in the second half, salvaging a draw thanks to Jay Harris and James Norwood.  Southport however finished the game with ten men after Luke Foster was shown a straight red for a challenge on Marlon Jackson - remember him?!

Even with the draw Rovers came out on top, singing “We’ve got more fans than you” with a legitimate reason! Taking up almost three sides of the Merseyrail Stadium, the Super White Army were out in force for this game.

Tranmere's Fans were out in force at Southport back in September

Injuries and Suspensions:

Both Adam Mekki and Steve McNulty came off injured last weekend and the latter remains a doubt ahead of the Southport game.  Jeff Hughes and Matt Hill also missed out but Brabin is hopeful that they’ll be fit for Saturday.

The Opposition Dugout:

After a run of poor form, including that 2-2 draw with Rovers, Paul Carden was shown the door in November 2015 and the reins were handed over to Dino Mammria who became Southport’s sevenths manager since April 2013.  Mammria played for Southport back in 2000-2001 making 23 appearances for the club, before returning again in 2006-2007.

His managerial career has taken him from Northwich Victoria, to Stevenage as both coach and assistant manager as well as Preston North End.  Whilst I wouldn’t say Mammria has been a fantastic light in Southport’s season he has taken them out of the relegation zone and they’re now 10 points clear. It’s this feat, plus he’s an ex-member of the team that means he’s been linked with the Stevenage job this last week after Teddy Sherringham was sacked.

Southport Team:

I picked Gary Jones as my one to watch and he scored so this time around I’m just going to mention a few names and hope none of them play!  Top scorer at the minute is Louis Almond with nine goals, closely followed by that Jones with four.  Former Tranmere players Josh Thompson and Andy Coughlin are poised to make their Rovers’ return on Saturday whilst Cole Stockton may find himself facing the team he spent time on loan with earlier this year.

Around the League:

Lincoln City vs Eastleigh:  With Eastleigh just above us and Lincoln a few places below it’s probably worth keeping an eye on that one during Saturday.

Wrexham vs Forest Green:  Whilst Wrexham are a fair way below us and Forest Green are a fair way ahead it could be a good game for a neutral.

My Team:

Davies 

Vaughan          McNulty          Ihiekwe            Ridehalgh

Jennings                             Harris

Hughes                        Maynard                      Mekki

  Norwood

I think consistency is key here. Hopefully all our players return from injury, McNulty has been a rock in defence of late and whilst Hill isn’t the worst player in the world, at home we really need to be utilising Ridehalgh’s attacking ability.

Don’t care how we win anymore, I just want us to win!