Match Preview: Sutton United v Tranmere Rovers
By Louise Formston
September 16 2016
After last week's defeat at home to Lincoln City and 0-0 draw away at York, Rovers are on the road again on Saturday as they travel to Sutton United for a televised lunchtime encounter. Once again Louise brings us her Match Preview ahead of the game....
Tranmere Rovers continue their week on the road as the travel south on Saturday to take on Sutton United (and their 3G pitch) for the first time in the National League. Even if you don’t read the rest of the preview please remember that Rovers play at 12:15pm on Saturday against Sutton and the match will be shown live on BT Sports.
Form Guide:
Rovers recorded their first point of September at Bootham Cresent as they held York to a 0-0 draw, despite being reduced to ten men during the second half. After losses to both Aldershot and Lincoln, Tranmere fans will be hoping that the point against York will be enough to kick start another unbeaten run. Despite the point, it wasn’t enough to see Rovers back on the top of the National League table and they have sunk to fourth after their impressive start.
Sutton United have had a patchy start to life in the National League after promotion in the summer. With four wins, a draw and two losses in August Sutton weren’t doing too badly but three losses on the bounce in September have left them 14th in the table, with 13 points – seven behind Rovers.
Injuries and Suspensions:
Connor Jennings remains out injured for Rovers after twisting his knee against Lincoln last weekend. Jeff Hughes will be suspended for the Sutton United match following his red card during the second half of the away game at York. The club have made no attempt to appeal the red card (and I have to agree this is the right decision, looking at Hughes’ reaction following the referee’s decision) and as a result Hughes will be suspended for the games against Sutton United, Woking and Dagenham & Redbridge.
Defender Simon Downer will be available for Sutton United after he served his three match suspension following his red card against Dagenham & Redbridge. Dean Beckworth missed the Us game against Braintree with groin strain and is unlikely to feature on Saturday.
The Opposition Dugout:
Paul Doswell has been in charge at the Borough Sports Ground since 2008, after taking up a two-year deal with Sutton United following their relegation from the Blue Square South. 8 years later, Doswell oversaw the U's promotion to the National League, as Sutton were confirmed champions following a 2-0 win over Chelmsford City with Doswell described it as his best achievement in football.
Who’s Who? Sutton United Edition:
Nick Bailey is United’s top scorer this season with three goals already. The 32 year old started his career at Sutton back in 2003, before playing for Barnet, Charlton, Middlesborough and Millwall amongst others but he returned to the U's in January of this season after leaving Barnet. During his stint at Charlton, Bailey scored against Tranmere in both fixtures during the 2009/2010 season which saw Charlton promoted. Here’s hoping he doesn’t continue that trend on Saturday.
Joining Bailey in midfield, is Ryan Burge who joined the U's in February this year and his three goals in five games helped Sutton United achieve promotion. Highly rated as a youngster Burge was tracked by both Manchester clubs before signing for Birmingham. Since then, Burge has played in Japan, as well as in Spain for Glen Hoddle’s Academy eventually moving back to England to play for Doncaster in 2011. After Doncaster, Burge moved to Micky Adams’ Port Vale where he was voted player of the season, before joining Newport in 2013.
After a successful trail with Cheltenham Town Burge was poised to sign a deal but found himself injured in a preseason friendly and was ruled out for the whole season. Burge has repeatedly been described as a creative midfielder, with an aggressive style of play – I’m expecting a strong performance from him.
Midfielder Jamie Collins is no stranger to Non-League football, having played for Newport County, Aldershot, Forest Green and Eastleigh before making the move the Sutton United last year. With one goal already this season, the 31-year old will be hoping his experience at this level allows him to rack up a few more.
Around the League:
Lincoln vs Barrow: Top of the table Lincoln take on Barrow this weekend. A win for Lincoln could see them potentially four points clear whilst a win for Barrow could see them over take Rovers.
Forest Green vs Bromley: Third in the table, and on the same points as Rovers, FGR will be hoping to put themselves top of the table as they face Bromley.
Dag & Red vs North Ferriby: Also up there in the table is Daggers and they’ll also be attempting a jump to the top of the table whilst North Ferriby will be hoping to put some distance between themselves and the relegation zone.
My Starting XI:
Davies
Vaughan McNulty Ihiekwe Ridehalgh
Maynard S. Jennings
Mekki Stephenson
Norwood
Cook
With no Hughes, Ridehalgh will fill in at LB whilst hopefully a midfield of Maynard and Jennings will provided protection for our back four who pick themselves. Stephenson by all accounts had a very good game against York and I think he, along with Mekki on the other wing will give Tranmere the attacking edge we’re lacking at the minute. Norwood and Cook remain in the side, but I’d prefer to use Norwood as a number ten, behind Cook. With Cook as a target man, having Norwood with the freedom to get in and around him should hopefully mean we always have a player in position to receive a knock down.
The game against Guiseley was boring and we need to show we can play exciting, attacking football. It’s an attacking side and one I know Brabin will never pick but I can live in hope!
Score Prediction:
2-1 Rovers - Despite my hopes for an attacking side, I don’t think it’ll happen and I think we’ll end up conceding before having to fight back and prove why we should be top of the table.
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Quote:2 the moon
If they don't score we could nick it, if they get one we could get a draw, if they score two it's goodnight
Senceing a theame moon, we have to by the law of averages score a hat full at some point. Not holding my breath though. ,? - 1 with you on that
When he returns, Connor Jennings is ideal for this forward midfield role. Think he played in this position to good effect with Wrexham.
Quote:We never play it on the groundhong kong rover
the big difference today, Sutton played it on the deck, we didn't.
Quote:TranmereFan
We defo were the better side for 5 minutes ! Ha! Can't blame the injuries other than the last 10 mins of the match. As first teamers replaced those that came off. 2 half for me , worst I've ever seen us play, we couldn't keep the ball more than 3 touches. We need x2 new full backs asap, both not good enough. And another centre attacking midfielder. Not sure if Brabin is being backed as much as we need by Palios, but at the same time Brabin is coming across a bit thick with his tactics currently and squad selections/recruitment.
To be fair to GB,Palios doesn't have the money that we need to get any extra decent players in. Can't see bt putting us on the box much more after that, so we won't get that money either.
To be fair to GB,Palios doesn't have the money that we need to get any extra decent players in. Can't see bt putting us on the box much more after that, so we won't get that money either.[/quote
Pretty sure we could get better quality for free than the current full backs , I see better crosses into the box in a kick about in the local park!
Agree with the rest Phil, but I don't much care whether other people think we're a laughing stock or not. If I cared what other people though I could never have managed to support them for so long.
I'm a Tranmere fan, whether they are West Cheshire League or Premier League.
Quote:Doogie'sGhost
Did he blame the pitch? Didn't see post match, but that's ludicrous if he did as we've been training on one for a few days in preparation. I don't think they should be used, but it's no excuse.
Agree with the rest Phil, but I don't much care whether other people think we're a laughing stock or not. If I cared what other people though I could never have managed to support them for so long.
I'm a Tranmere fan, whether they are West Cheshire League or Premier League.
Wish I could feel like that doogie, but for me it's like the whole team are taking the P out of us. After 40 years of watching rovers, I've never been so ashamed to admit they are my team.
Probably do an interview tomorrow due to the long trip home.
Nothing much he can say to defend such a poor performance like that?
I believe the owners weren't present to witness todays antics, so maybe as was the case last season, hell live to fight another day?
Embarrassing display by everyone today, the only player who looked like he gave a toss was McNulty, and he wasn't too great.
One point from 12 on offer is poor at any level of the game.
Will they sack him? Who knows?
He should rename himself Teflon if he's still in charge next week!
Quote:Doogie'sGhost
Did he blame the pitch? Didn't see post match, but that's ludicrous if he did as we've been training on one for a few days in preparation. I don't think they should be used, but it's no excuse.
Agree with the rest Phil, but I don't much care whether other people think we're a laughing stock or not. If I cared what other people though I could never have managed to support them for so long.
I'm a Tranmere fan, whether they are West Cheshire League or Premier League.
Didn't quote Brabin as using the pitch as an excuse, just that we've added ammunition to our post match excuses for those who like to make them. What other people currently think is a reflection on our results, performances, playing style, lack of goals, our superiority complex (imagined or not), inept manager (their words not mine), etc. so it matters to me. Anyone who doesn't find the current predicament painful then their hearts not in the club (nothing personal aimed at you). Doogie'sGhost, you're far too ambitious to be a Tranmere supporter mentioning the Premier League!
Quote:Phil65Quote:Doogie'sGhost
Did he blame the pitch? Didn't see post match, but that's ludicrous if he did as we've been training on one for a few days in preparation. I don't think they should be used, but it's no excuse.
Agree with the rest Phil, but I don't much care whether other people think we're a laughing stock or not. If I cared what other people though I could never have managed to support them for so long.
I'm a Tranmere fan, whether they are West Cheshire League or Premier League.
Didn't quote Brabin as using the pitch as an excuse, just that we've added ammunition to our post match excuses for those who like to make them. What other people currently think is a reflection on our results, performances, playing style, lack of goals, our superiority complex (imagined or not), inept manager (their words not mine), etc. so it matters to me. Anyone who doesn't find the current predicament painful then their hearts not in the club (nothing personal aimed at you). Doogie'sGhost, you're far too ambitious to be a Tranmere supporter mentioning the Premier League!
Oh OK, you were just throwing the ready made excuse in early. I have no expectation of us ever playing in the PL though, it was just about as far from West Cheshire as you can go in the opposite direction. I have no expectation of us ever playing West Cheshire either, a phoenix club would start higher.
Didn't say that it wasn't painful, just that I don't care what other people think, but then I've never had any great desire to be popular, trendy or even well thought of. It's just the way I'm made. If people think we're a laughing stock then it will make it all the sweeter when we're not.
Quote:Doogie'sGhostQuote:Phil65Quote:Doogie'sGhost
Did he blame the pitch? Didn't see post match, but that's ludicrous if he did as we've been training on one for a few days in preparation. I don't think they should be used, but it's no excuse.
Agree with the rest Phil, but I don't much care whether other people think we're a laughing stock or not. If I cared what other people though I could never have managed to support them for so long.
I'm a Tranmere fan, whether they are West Cheshire League or Premier League.
Didn't quote Brabin as using the pitch as an excuse, just that we've added ammunition to our post match excuses for those who like to make them. What other people currently think is a reflection on our results, performances, playing style, lack of goals, our superiority complex (imagined or not), inept manager (their words not mine), etc. so it matters to me. Anyone who doesn't find the current predicament painful then their hearts not in the club (nothing personal aimed at you). Doogie'sGhost, you're far too ambitious to be a Tranmere supporter mentioning the Premier League!
Oh OK, you were just throwing the ready made excuse in early. I have no expectation of us ever playing in the PL though, it was just about as far from West Cheshire as you can go in the opposite direction. I have no expectation of us ever playing West Cheshire either, a phoenix club would start higher.
Didn't say that it wasn't painful, just that I don't care what other people think, but then I've never had any great desire to be popular, trendy or even well thought of. It's just the way I'm made. If people think we're a laughing stock then it will make it all the sweeter when we're not.
No problem DG, respect your outlook on the matter. You could have stretched it to the Champions League but this shows your less ambitious than I first thought so a true TRFC supporter! Hope our change of fortunes comes sooner rather than later as my youngest son is getting restless and I have already lost two sons to the wilderness rather than the joys of watching Tranmere! Losing a third and I will have failed as a father!
Quote:Fiftyyearsarover
We are like the hyena who ate a box of oxo cubes .a Laughing stock
Think a little bit of p came out then fifty
Quote:Doogie'sGhost
Did he blame the pitch? Didn't see post match, but that's ludicrous if he did as we've been training on one for a few days in preparation. I don't think they should be used, but it's no excuse.
Agree with the rest Phil, but I don't much care whether other people think we're a laughing stock or not. If I cared what other people though I could never have managed to support them for so long.
I'm a Tranmere fan, whether they are West Cheshire League or Premier League.
No no pitch blame, it's a pretty short speech, I think he knows the jig is up. He's basically said The injuries knocked us after a decent start, and that we have only 11-12 players capable of sustaining a challange for promotion. He knows the fans a re upset and has asked us to give him time and judge him at the end of the season as he believes we can still go up.
Eastleigh fans were right in singing Top of the league your havin a laugh, fair play to them.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2016:09:17:18:31:57 by Higgosboots.
Quote:martyd12
He goes to as many Rovers matches as his commitments allow. He is a big fan and he will have been as frustrated as the rest of us!
I am not sure ' frustrated ' is the right choice of word to be honest.. 'appalled' I think would be more apt ,martyd 12.
He was down there to ref a game and treated her to an away game.
Two birds with one stone if you like?