Match Discussion: Cheltenham Town (H)
By Deadly Submarine
February 18 2016
A place for fans of both Tranmere Rovers and Cheltenham Town to discuss Saturday afternoon's upcoming match at Prenton Park......

With Rovers currently on a six game unbeaten run comprising five wins a draw, our match discussion thread returns once again as Rovers host leaders Cheltenham Town at Prenton Park on Saturday afternoon in the National League. Tranmere will be looking to build on their six match unbeaten run whilst Cheltenham will be looking to gain revenge for Rovers' last gasp 1-0 win at Whaddon Road back in late September.
Whether you are unable to make the game for any reason, or even if you are attending, this is the place to discuss all the pre-match build up including team line-up and score predictions, events during the match itself as well as all the post match fall-out and analysis. The thread is open to fans of both sides to discuss the events surrounding the game so if you haven't got a Message Forum accounts yet then why not sign up now?

Tranmere host National League Leaders Cheltenham Town on Saturday afternoon
During the game, Total Tranmere will also be providing Live score updates from Prenton Park on our Facebook and Twitter accounts so if you don't already do so, why not follow us why not do it right now so you don't forget later! Just click on the two links above to go to our Social Media accounts.

If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2016:02:26:14:23:56 by Deadly Submarine.
Cheltenham will attack us, which we prefer, but Higdon's presence still isn't fluid with the play, leading to some frustrating half chances and miss-placed passes
Cheltenham need not to loose in order to break their club record for unbeaten matches and it's the toughest match they have left. It will probably be the one match this season where they settle for a point, and we have trouble breaking open the defences of even the worst team in the league.
Quote:Kennel
Going to aldershot was a waste of time...we were boring,predictable and lacking ideas.Mekki must play tomorrow...he's the only player who can go past defenders and cause problems.
Given that Mackreth has done the pre-match interview, I've got a horrible feeling Mekki will be left out again
Hope I'm wrong
Quote:PeteTRFC
Unless he's not fully fit. If thats not the case, for me, Mekki should start
Agreed, was surprised when I turned up at Aldershot to see him on the bench...then be un-used.
Incidentally, why does the Cheltenham Town club badge depict a member of the Ku Klux Klan?
Quote:Kennel
Going to aldershot was a waste of time...we were boring,predictable and lacking ideas.Mekki must play tomorrow...he's the only player who can go past defenders and cause problems.
No he isn't. You obviously haven't watched some of Norwoods' goals and other efforts.
Quote:Hoots MonQuote:Kennel
Going to aldershot was a waste of time...we were boring,predictable and lacking ideas.Mekki must play tomorrow...he's the only player who can go past defenders and cause problems.
No he isn't. You obviously haven't watched some of Norwoods' goals and other efforts.
Agreed Hoots. There's that "too high a regard" surfacing again in my opinion!
Chance it may be called off? Knowing my luck I'll set off from Euston, log on and see the dreaded pitch inspection!!!
Quote:Heswall Boy
The Barrow result saved Brabin.
Not sure I agree with that anyway but since then we haven't lost so it's been for the best for sure!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2016:02:19:18:29:40 by Deadly Submarine.
Quote:Heswall Boy
The Barrow result saved Brabin.
Who says? Do you have the ear of the Palios', because otherwise that's wild speculation and after what Nicola had said in an interview before this run of form, I doubt losing that would have cost him anyway.
Then I ate his Liver.......... with some baked beans and a can of coke.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2016:02:20:00:19:28 by hong kong rover.
Quote:Agreed nothing to be afraid of after the match at Dover.hong kong rover
big test for the rovers today against the best side in the division. if we don't concede any goals today then I think we will have done very well. wright and Holman are proving quite potent and will certainly be a handful for our defence. smart move from gary Johnson to bring Holman to the club. they are pretty mean in defence too... god hope I am wrong, but am going for tranmere 1 cheltenham 2.. mind you, i saw them in the televised game at dover a few weeks back and they didnt look good that day even though they won with those 2 goals at the death.
Quote:ArmaghwhiteQuote:Agreed nothing to be afraid of after the match at Dover.hong kong rover
big test for the rovers today against the best side in the division. if we don't concede any goals today then I think we will have done very well. wright and Holman are proving quite potent and will certainly be a handful for our defence. smart move from gary Johnson to bring Holman to the club. they are pretty mean in defence too... god hope I am wrong, but am going for tranmere 1 cheltenham 2.. mind you, i saw them in the televised game at dover a few weeks back and they didnt look good that day even though they won with those 2 goals at the death.
hi armagh, u are quite right, we have nothing to fear after their game at dover. i will change my prediction now. dover competed in midfield that day and went at them and should have won that game. if we can approach the game like that then no reason why we cant get a result.
Another dross home game with no efforts on target from either side until Chelts pop up with an unlikely injury time winner
How Higdon survived two substitutions I don't know (although Brabin brought the right players on he didn't take the right ones off for me).
Overall not too disappointed against Cheltenham - after all we snatched a late 1-0 at their place I suppose!
More games building up for Braintree and Dover (who are also still in the Trophy) after postponements today so thy can only work in our favour too.
Man of the Match today for me was Lois Maynard!
what was james rowe like today?
Quote:hong kong rover
bbc footy website says the attendance today was 12,418, lol. wirral radio said about 5,400 with just over 300 from Cheltenham.
what was james rowe like today?
Sounds like the kind of stats we get on here ! haha. Rowe was quiet, didn't stand out, but then no-one really did for them. We had the majority of possession bar the first 20 mins. Deserved a draw, but out midfield is lost in the middle without Jenno. Thats were we lost the game today, cheltenham just walked it through the centre for the goal. Maynard got a few tackles in, but should of buried a unmarked header. Vahaugn MoM for me, worked very hard throughout. Glad norwood finished the game back in the center forward position, just doesnt work well with him on the wide position, looks natural up top. I dont see anything in Higdon that Stockton doesnt have (an he has more IMO) , Stockton was sat near me in the main stand, and he looks very disheartened to say the least...
still strange to say after getting beat, happy with the performance, and it felt like a league game, much higher quality! . think we can have a double at Chester next week!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2016:02:20:17:55:08 by Deadly Submarine.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2016:02:20:18:07:29 by Deadly Submarine.
Quote:Deadly Submarine
Any need for the little dig at the site out of interest?
nothing personal Deadly please dont take it that way (if you are), its was a Joke re:attendance as the game stats are usually well off when the match report goes up on here (its well known i dont think im on my own on that) . But no dig or maliciousness intended, im no fan basher. Were all fans.
Quote:Deadly Submarine
No worries and for what it's worth I get the stats from BBC anyway!
well there you go! haha!
Quote:funny how we all see the game differently. I personally thought Maynard was poor not as poor as higdon though although he did tell us he wasn't the most mobile of strikers. All in all though it was a tough game for the lads and there was no lack of effort just a big lack of quality and ideas going forwardDeadly Submarine
We missed Jennings last week and missed him again today! Thought a draw wouldn't have been unfair as barring the first twenty minutes we played fairly well.
How Higdon survived two substitutions I don't know (although Brabin brought the right players on he didn't take the right ones off for me).
Overall not too disappointed against Cheltenham - after all we snatched a late 1-0 at their place I suppose!
More games building up for Braintree and Dover (who are also still in the Trophy) after postponements today so thy can only work in our favour too.
Man of the Match today for me was Lois Maynard!
Quote:Heswall Boy
Correct me if I am wrong but was the yellow card for Jay Harris his final one before suspension for a couple of games. If so top player we will miss him.
It depends if he got booked at Aldershot last week (I can't remember) as before Aldershot I'm fairly sure he was on 8 yellows!
Bumhobo no offence intended by my comments as I know how difficult it must be to get a good judgement of things from videos and reports etc! Apologies if any was taken!
If that's the case then whilst I agree with what he did in terms of Cheltenham blatantly time wasting, it was a bit of a silly thin to do on 9 yellows!
Higdon has a lot of work to do to get properly fit and I wonder whether he will fit in quickly enough. Our lack of goals is worrying and not sure Brabin knows how to solve the situation!
Cheltenham are a very good side but, today we lost the game rather than Cheltenham won it. By that I mean IMO, we handed the initiative to them before a ball was kicked. I am not a GB hater as some on the forum but, I couldn't believe the team selection no Mekki or mackreath both on the bench.
It was obvious within the first few minutes GTF at 35 wasn't fit enough to do the job asked of him and I for one felt sorry for him but, at least he tried and possibly should have scored.
The immediate difference when Mekki came on was there for all to see.
Higdon is obviously not match fit having played so few games but, to me he is some way off 100% in normal fitness terms
It looks like we are making similar mistakes as in the past changing the team/tactics to suit new players.
Hopefully Jenno will be available for the next match but, Jay H is now suspended.
Very disappointed in Cheltenham time wasting tactics feigning injury etc not something usually associated with a Gary Johnson team.
To achieve any playoff place we need no more free bee's to the opposition.
Quote:Fiftyyearsarover
Well well what a surprise I said in the week 1-2 people on here still insist we will get to play offs no goals again just not good enough some people on here need a reality check we are simply not good enough manager is useless
Maybe some people need a reality check there viewpoint doesn't make the superior to others and even if proven right, it still won't make them superior.
Then I ate his Liver.......... with some baked beans and a can of coke.
We started badly but apart from the first ten minutes, pushed them hard in the first half. Not for the first time,a sparkling half time team talk seems to have had the opposite effect to what was intended.Second half we were very disappointing.
If it wasn't for Ihiekwe,McNulty and Davies,we'd have lost by more than one.
Higdon won a lot in the air in the first half but the others were not on the same wavelength.Second half,he may as well not have been on the pitch.Has anybody told him that he is expected to run after the ball or at least around the pitch.
I thought Mekki was very poor when he came on,created nothing and missed by far our best opportunity[it didn't even go out for a goal kick]
Norwood is being played the wrong way-we seem to have blunted his goal threat although not his magnificent effort.
I still think Braintree are the best team I've seen this season although it is easy to see why Cheltenham are top and will probably go up.
.
In this league you need a majority of youngsters who will run all day and buy into the managers ideas and be able to carry them out. Unfortunately,we have too many aged 30 plus and we cannot maintain the energy levels needed over 90 minutes game after game.
We still appear to be trying to find the right mix that's why we are now 24 points behind Cheltenham.
Quote:gazza102
Surprised at the the comments about Higdon. Many people have been saying for weeks that when we play Norwood upfront that he doesn't hold on to the ball. Clearly Higdon is able to hold the ball and also provide flick on's for Norwood and midfielders willing to run passed him, unfortunately Taylor Fletcher and Hughes are not those type of players.
He provided flick ons in the first half but didn't hold on to the ball at all.
Quote:2 different players so you can't compare, would you have him over Mekki? I thought Rowe was decent on his day for us but went missing in games to often. Agree would have been worth a punt for this league.goosed
rowe did ok today id have him anyday over higdon
Still need a striker, Norwood loads of effort again but never really looks like a confident forward.
Someone said give Stockton a go, I personally think he is not good enough but probably no worse than the others so why not. He rarely wins a header though and can't hold the ball up particularly well
Quote:AndyMaseQuote:2 different players so you can't compare, would you have him over Mekki? I thought Rowe was decent on his day for us but went missing in games to often. Agree would have been worth a punt for this league.goosed
rowe did ok today id have him anyday over higdon
Rowe certainly did not go missing today.
McNulty did well as did Norwood. Tactics were once again poor and we had very few options
Quote:Johntyponty
Ihekwie as MoM was farcical. I think the match day sponsors are just picking at random now.
McNulty did well as did Norwood. Tactics were once again poor and we had very few options
Why farcical? I thought that he had a good game. So did most people judging from comments.
I didn't think that Higdon was terrible - won a lot of headers in the first half which no-one was picking up - but he's clearly not match fit so I just don't understand the selection of GTF. Surely we needed someone more mobile. As soon as I saw the starting 11 I knew we were going to lose. Whichever wing GTF was on, the fullback on that side was faced with wave after wave of what were basically 2-on-1 situations.
A poll is to follow by the way but I stayed on Prenton Park to see Cheggers last night hence no post-match stuff so far!
Quote:Deadly Submarine
Yep although I didn't go for him as my MOTM I can't argue with those that say Ihiekwe either to be fair.
A poll is to follow by the way but I stayed on Prenton Park to see Cheggers last night hence no post-match stuff so far!
Cheggers, talk about glutton for punishment at PP.
Quote:Johntyponty
Ihekwie as MoM was farcical. I think the match day sponsors are just picking at random now.
McNulty did well as did Norwood. Tactics were once again poor and we had very few options
No it wasn't.Without him,McNulty and Davies,we'd have lost by more than one. But you're entitled to your opinion.
Ingenious-would have looked great if it had worked.
Conclusion- we require a tactically proven Manager and coaches who can instruct and lead a team, I believe they are out there to be found and until we sort this out we won't be going forward.
It's a 3 year plan according to MP let's hope the next two years sees success but I think the whole coaching and management set up will need to change.
We are currently worse than Cheltenham Town, how much further can we fall.
Quote:Fiftyyearsarover
The best comments on this game come from the Gloustershire echo they see Tranmere as a fat overweight unfit dads army compared to there manager, ours has not got a clue there manager sought out young fit hungry young guys who have something to prove which they are doing. these players are about, we need a new manager who can find these guys and has the tactical savvy to go with it ,I am sick of Brabin churning out the same excuses week in week out ,we are not going any were fast if Brabin stays it will be more of the same .well done to Cheltenham they have shown how to play this division this with a complete new bunch of players .some won't like this post but sometimes the truth hurts read the article quite damming
ive just read the article, higdon referred to as, ' static rubbish upfront equivalent to playing a wheelie bin,' lol. the article is quite damning and how close to the truth is it I wonder? btw, what on earth were Cheltenham thinking of with that ridiculous free kick attempt yesterday, just viewed it on you tube along with 4 min highlights of yesterdays game.
Quote:hong kong roverQuote:Fiftyyearsarover
The best comments on this game come from the Gloustershire echo they see Tranmere as a fat overweight unfit dads army compared to there manager, ours has not got a clue there manager sought out young fit hungry young guys who have something to prove which they are doing. these players are about, we need a new manager who can find these guys and has the tactical savvy to go with it ,I am sick of Brabin churning out the same excuses week in week out ,we are not going any were fast if Brabin stays it will be more of the same .well done to Cheltenham they have shown how to play this division this with a complete new bunch of players .some won't like this post but sometimes the truth hurts read the article quite damming
ive just read the article, higdon referred to as, ' static rubbish upfront equivalent to playing a wheelie bin,' lol. the article is quite damning and how close to the truth is it I wonder? btw, what on earth were Cheltenham thinking of with that ridiculous free kick attempt yesterday, just viewed it on you tube along with 4 min highlights of yesterdays game.
It is pretty damning in places but,as they say,the truth always hurts. And there is quite a lot of truth in it.
As always, it's about opinions all equally as valid as the next persons.
As with most media sources these days it's always just utter trash media often with very little substance.
I can see a complaint coming!
Quote:Fiftyyearsarover
Come on deadly, very little substance? Very near the mark and I think a lot of us feel the same way
I was referring to the trash media in general - which this outlet is clearly part of.
It was evident we would loose when the wolly went on radio and spoke about sides upping there game, they were top of the league it's us who should have been upping our game.
Pre match warm up: Cheltenham were revving up knocking two touch fast balls we were dawdling about taking unnecessary extra touches and it was no different in the game always an extra unnecessary touch and slowing it down.
Quote:ste25yearsafan
Yesterday clearly demonstrated that we are (yet again) desperately trying to find a way forward,Brabin has openly stated his opinion that formation is not important suggesting its down to individuals to roll their sleeves up and get stuck in. Personally that combined with the Andy Mangan scenario tells fans everything they need to know, he is totally committed but out of his depth, recruited based only on previous record of nearly getting promotion.
Conclusion- we require a tactically proven Manager and coaches who can instruct and lead a team, I believe they are out there to be found and until we sort this out we won't be going forward.
It's a 3 year plan according to MP let's hope the next two years sees success but I think the whole coaching and management set up will need to change.
We are currently worse than Cheltenham Town, how much further can we fall.
I've not seen where you get the bolded bit from, but frankly if he said that I agree with him. Getting roles and responsibilities sorted is more important than formation.
Quote:coltran
How do we know that Cheltenham have a smaller budget than ours?
Exactly. I flagged that up on another thread as sometimes with some people you cannot distinguish supposed fact from speculation, but if the person wanted to produce some basic financials for Cheltenham based on this season alone fair enough, I'd support the assertion Cheltenham spent less this season if it was proven.
Then I ate his Liver.......... with some baked beans and a can of coke.
Higdon won a lot in the air in the first half but the others were not on the same wavelength.Second half,he may as well not have been on the pitch.Has anybody told him that he is expected to run after the ball or at least around the pitch.
I thought Mekki was very poor when he came on,created nothing and missed by far our best opportunity[it didn't even go out for a goal kick]
Norwood is being played the wrong way-we seem to have blunted his goal threat although not his magnificent effort.
I still think Braintree are the best team I've seen this season although it is easy to see why Cheltenham are top and will probably go up.
.[/quote]
Quote:I think without a keeper and the two centre backs we probably would have lolHoots Mon
If it wasn't for Ihiekwe,McNulty and Davies,we'd have lost by more than one.
.
Quote:Hoots MonQuote:AndyMaseQuote:2 different players so you can't compare, would you have him over Mekki? I thought Rowe was decent on his day for us but went missing in games to often. Agree would have been worth a punt for this league.goosed
rowe did ok today id have him anyday over higdon
Rowe certainly did not go missing today.
If he wasn't motivated for yesterday's game he would never be motivated. Didn't say he went missing yesterday, as I said he was decent on his day but went missing to often to be consistent, sometimes people gave poor games but they still put effort in. Norwood and Harris for example. Never can say they go missing
Quote:What parts of the article were wrong.Deadly Submarine
What utter tripe from a supposedly professional media outlet.
As with most media sources these days it's always just utter trash media often with very little substance.
I can see a complaint coming!
To me it shows that people pointing their fingers at our forwards saying that they aren't good enough because they don't put away the one chance that falls their way aren't looking at the full picture.
Quote:If our strikers are only getting one chance a game we have a problem. The reason why they have scored 22 goals more than us is because they attack in numbers, something we dont doMalkinsNobblyKnees
One interesting point that I took from yesterday's game was that Cheltenham's forwards didn't look like world-beaters. In fact, some of their approach play was laughably bad at times. What they did was keep coming forward again and again, despite having a lead to hold on to. I assume that the number of goals they have scored is down to the huge number of attacks they have rather than any particular incisiveness.
To me it shows that people pointing their fingers at our forwards saying that they aren't good enough because they don't put away the one chance that falls their way aren't looking at the full picture.
