Town take the shortish trip up to Tranmere this Saturday. With Town sitting top of the table and Tranmere just off the relegation zone it will be a tough game with both teams needing points. Saturday's game at Prenton Park will be the 40th time the two clubs have met with Tranmere holding a 20 wins to 9 advantage. Earlier this season two late goals gave Shrewsbury a 2-1 win over Rovers at the Greenhous Meadow, but last season Rovers won both fixtures home and away, following up a 1-0 victory on the road with a 2-1 success at Prenton Park. Players who have represented both clubs include Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro, Terry Gornell, Reuben Hazell, Jermaine Grandison, David Raven, Shane Sherriff, Sam Aiston, Neil Ashton, Mike Jackson, Mark Hughes and John Manning. Tranmere boss, Micky Adams is without defenders Marcus Holness (knee) and Matt Hill (Achilles tendon) for Saturday's home game against Shrewsbury Town, but Michael Ihiekwe is available after returning to training following an ankle injury. Cole Stockton misses out while he waits for a hernia operation but Liam Davies made his comeback from 12 months out with a knee injury in Tuesday's reserve game against Northwich Victoria. Micky Mellon confirmed that, apart from long-term absentees Andy Mangan, Nathaniel Knight-Percival and James Wesolowski, everybody would be fit and available for selection at the weekend. Hopefully town clinch a win and surrounding clubs don't fair as well. Luton , Wycombe and Southend have tough away games and Burton is also away at Dagenham. Come on you blues, lets get that win for Salopia. Previews: http://www.shrewsburytown.com/news/article/shrewsbury-town-micky-mellon-tranmere-rovers-2283193.aspx http://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/article/preview-tranmere-v-shrewsbury-2282882.aspx http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31466534 http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/315254/preview
this was a bad day at the office by the sounds of it and we have another real test coming up. just glad Mickey D ok.
Great preview Matster - shame the match did not live up to it. We were never going to cruise through to promotion without a few hiccups and the teams down the bottom are dangerous at this time of year. Onwards to the Northampton game - they score a lot of goals so we should have an open game. Lets hope all the lads are fit and this could be the game when Barnett shows his class and bags a couple of goals.
some on B and A do not think Barnett is match fit and some decry the change of tactics to long ball to reach him. our previous tactics were ok. come back Mangen and soon.. pity 1200 travelling fans had to share town's disappointment. and thanks matster a great preview.
We do play long ball occasionally (especially when Akpro is up front) and it does work sometimes (for example against Luton and Bury). Did not go but I suspect the disruption to midfield caused by the captain's early exit had something to do with it. I agree we need to get the balance right but accurate long passing is a skill that can cause the opposition problems if employed properly.
