Northenders. The Liliywhites on Saturday return to Deepdale for League action following their narrow defeat at Southampton in the Carling Cup. The opposition is Tranmere Rovers and it will be PNE Day, the first of the season when all ticket prices are reduced for both home and away supporters. There will also be several pre match activities taking place to entertain the fans both for adults and children alike. So get to the ground early to enjoy the fun etc. Tranmere Rovers were formed in 1884, but competed in local leagues until joining the Third Division North in 1921. In more recent years, Tranmere have been known for their cup runs, most notably reaching 2000 Football League Cup Final. Tranmere were founded in 1884 as Belmont F.C. by two groups of cricketers. The team changed its name to Tranmere Rovers less than one year later. They initially competed in the local Liverpool & District League and the Lancashire Combination, before stepping up to the Third Division North in 1921. They have remained a League club since. The Rovers have never manged to reach England's highest division but have missed out by a whisker on several occasions. Since the mid-1990s, Tranmere Rovers have become famous for their cup successes, under the leadership of managers John King, John Aldridge and Brian Little reaching FA Cup quarter-finals in 2000, 2001 and 2004, the League Cup semi-final in 1994 and the 2000 Football League Cup Final. Tranmere Rovers home playing kit is predominantly all white similar to PNE's current strip. Tranmere have played more games against Crewe Alexandra than any other club 118. Harold Bell holds the record for the most league consecutive appearances for a British team. He was picked for the first game after World War II in the 1946/47 season and did not miss a match until 30 August 1955, a total of 401 consecutive matches in the Third Division North. He also made a club record number of appearences 741. The most famous Tranmere Rovers player is William Ralph Dean (22 January 1907 – 1 March 1980), who was better known as Dixie Dean. He scored 27 goals in 30 league appearances for Tranmere Rovers (1923–1925). His exploits in 1927-28 season for Everton saw Dean score 60 league goals - a record which stands to this day Phil Brown will be looking for PNE to get back on track after their loss at Southampton and return to their previous good form in the League, but Rovers will be no pushovers and will want to spoil the PNE Day festivities by nicking all three points or at least sharing the spoils. Rovers are currently two points behind PNE (although having played two games more) and sitting in 10th place in the League, they have won two and lost two on their travels so far. PNE should have both Gray and Smith available having made a comeback in last nights cup game, and Daley will also be knocking on the door having made his debut last night. So then Phil Brown has one or two selection problems for the coming game, but fortunately they are the kind of selection problems that managers like. Turner the keeper could be in contention as well following his injury and if passed fit will probably play. There should be a cracking atmosphere on Deepdale on Saturday with an expected increase in the home gate due to Northends good form and the PNE day price reductions, Tranmere will be bring a good following along as well so all in all much to look forward to. I hope that PNE raise to the occasion and do not shoot themselves in the foot like they have on previous occasions, when many of the stay aways return to see how PNE are performing. I don't think that will happen and expect PNE to put in a very good performance and take all three points, but not without a fight from Tranmere I must add. !300 tickets have been sold so far at Tranmere so that should add to the Deepdale atmospere. Anyone who would like to learn more about Tranmer's history should follow the link below. http://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/page/HistoryIndex/0,,10365,00.html Add your thoughts and comments on this PNE day on this thread. TFP
Did You know that Ian Hume played for Tranmere ? and progressed through the youth ranks to play 176 first-team games between 1999 and 2005, scoring 37 goals along the way. He still visits occasionally, they have nothing but good memories of him, hope they aint as good come Saturday evening
Yes I am aware of Hume's previous finneyfan, and if I remember correctly PNE tried to sign him twice but the player declined... I suppose you will be giving a lift to one or two of the Rovers supporters from the Wirral ????
Expect a win, seem to remember we always tended to get Tranmere in the first round of the cup happened countless tmes and they always tended to win. Suspect the only entries on this thread will be from North Enders therefore we can say what we want.
I thought that we always did say what we want maclad......our board moderator seems to have done a bunk so fire away...
Stuck at work Plummy GUTTED worse still I'm at work for the game at Tranmere, I was really looking forward to a "Home" game for a change LOL
Hell that is a sickener finneyfan, have you just missed running over a black cat or something ???? I reckon whoever works your shift patterns out is a Rovers fan.. Trouble is things could get even worse if we give them a trouncing.....you could end up working for every PNE home game.... Anyway hope we get the win and that cheers you up a bit.. By the way left you a private message.
Well that was hard work, took the points although have to say we might not have deserved all 3. Distincly 2nd best for most of the first. With the useful Akins giving Parry a run around. Strangely though Procter had the best chance to open the scoring however his angle wasn't great and the ball end up with the gleeful Tranmere fans. Took the lead from the spot, slightly iffy award, Alexander scored. Rovers have to say deservedly equalised after half time, Akins deflected shot trundled to hit the post Baxter couldn't miss. Went 442 when Mayor came on cut them apart on the break Hume finding Mayor inb acres of space the youngster cooly finished. That was Mayor last contribution being sacrificed after Parry was sent off. Had the better chances to win by more but Mellor couldn't beat the keeper when through. The sending off means we will have two full backs playing on Tuesday now there's a rarity. Finally had a gate the Lashers an only dream about 17100 -----
Late coming on here since the game anyway for what it's worth my thoughts on the game. Teams: PNE: Arestidou, McLaughlin, McLean, Carlisle, Parry, Coutts, Alexander, Nicholson, Hume (Ashbee 81), Mellor, Proctor (Mayor 65, Gray 76). Subs: Tsoumou, Comrie, Ashbee, Mayor, Gray. (this was the same team that defeated Brentford in the last league game) Tranmere: Fon Williams, Raven, Taylor, Goodison, Buchanan, Atkins, Welsh, Weir, McGurk, Baxter, Showunmi (Tiryaki 84). Subs: Kay, Bakayogo, Labadie, Coughlin, Tiryaki. The Preston public responded to PNE day in fine style and boosted the gate to about 17500 (I thought there were more), on this occasion Northend didn't shoot themselves in the foot playing in front of the increased support but came very close at times. Let it be said that Tranmere will have every reason to feel hard done by not getting anything out of this game, for long periods they were the team on the front foot and presented PNE with many problems during the game. There are no easy games in this division and teams coming to Deepdale see it as an opportunity to claim the scalp of arguably one of the bigger clubs, and Tranmere came very near to doing just that. Tranmere probably see this fixture as more of a derby game than others as well, so was yet another test for Northend. The first 15 minutes was pretty much Even Stevens but PNE were once again taking too long to get at the Tranmere goal playing decent football BUT mostly sideways and back, by which time Tranmere had organised and got players behind the ball. Tranmere then stepped up a gear and Northend had difficulty in matching them, with the Tranmere front men causing the Northend defence problems that persisted for all of the game. They had a couple of big lads up front and made their presence felt, particularly with any ball in the air but also on the ground. Tranmere had a pretty solid defence as well with their midfield competing hard for every ball. PNE never seemed to get going in this game and always seemed off the pace and a yard to slow with our two fullbacks struggling and little protection in front of them to help them out. Alexander had a fine game as did Carlisle although he was partly at fault for Tranmere goal. Mellor, Proctor and Hume are always a threat with Mellor winning a penalty in the first half, although I have to agree with maclad that the decision was very iffy from were I was sat. Proctor did well in the first half and came close to scoring after taking the ball round the keeper but found himself wide of the goal and opted to go for power when a placed shot would have been better. Hume I thought never let the opposition rest (one of his ex clubs) but is he wasted playing behind the front two ??? and is 4 3 3 the best formation ???, results so far would support playing 4 3 3 but it does leave gaps at the back when the fullbacks come forward to provide width. Mellor had a couple of decent chances deep into the game when playing as a loan striker and maybe could have done better than force the keeper into fairly easy saves, but once again he cannot be faulted over his commitments and effort. I still feel the midfield is lightweight and although Coutts provides good support for the front three his defensive qualities dont match his attacking ones, Nicholson isn't my cup of tea to be honest, you cant fault him for effort and he can pop up to score the odd goal, but he rarely gets a tackle in when defending nor adds much to the attack. Both Northends fullbacks found life difficult and Parry had his poorest game playing out of position for some time and ended up being shown the red card. McLaughlin showed his inexperience at times leaving a player unmarked at times but he is still learning and wasn't helped by the midfield. I thought the PNE MOTM was the North End keeper Arestidou, who had a first class game making several very good saves showing a safe pair of hands and doing well when the ball was in the air and coming under a lot of pressure from the big Tranmere players. I didn't think McLean was as dominant as he usualy is but along with Carlisle had a lot to contend with. Mayor was the hero of the hour coming off the bench to score the winning goal in great style after replacing Proctor, but was then substituted (sacrificed) to bring on defender David Gray) with McLaughlin switching to left-back, all this within a 15 minute period. Ashbee was brought on late to replace Hume to help shore up North End's defence when Tranmere were going all out for the equaliser. I thought that the substitutions that P Brown made and the timing of them were correct. The Ref was very poor once again and for both teams, missing a lot and seeing things that no one else could see, was inconsisitant and prevented the game from flowing, are they all the same for this Division.. Northend didn't play well yesterday but won all three points and the unbeaten league run is still up and running so PNE are stil on course for a good end to the season. All the Northend fans will have gone home delighted with the result but probably not the performance, and it has to be said that the games at Deepdale this season do provide interest and a fair share of excitement even if it isn't at the right end of the pitch all the time. I hope that some of the extra home support will return for the next home match and support PNE who deserve to be supported in their attempts to bounce back into the Championship.
