Match Preview – Rovers VS Posh

Tranmere Rovers VS Peterborough United

Prenton Park

Saturday 4^th September

15.00 Kick off

　

Match day five see’s the visit of highflying Peterborough United grace their presence upon Prenton Park. The importance of the game could make or brake Rovers even though so early on in the seasons with the margin between win or lose enormous. A win for Tranmere would be a huge confidence boost plus relief for everyone involved at the club to get off the mark with a first home win of the new campaign. If Rovers don’t win the game it will be vital not to lose.

Les Parry’s men are yet to clinch even as much as a point at home this season with losses against Oldham and Bournemouth plus midweek misery failing to progress in the J.P Trophy after being punished in a nail biting penalty shoot out against Accrington Stanley on Tuesday night.

The pressure is really mounting on Rovers who have picked up just two points on their travels leaving them 22^nd in the league and surely cant afford a third straight defeat on there home turf.

The task that lies ahead doesn’t come much tougher, a Peterborough side on a mission to bounce back up to the championship and with seven goals in their last two league games plus beating a strong Cardiff side in-between to advance on in the League cup they are certainly going the rite way about it.

A browse through the history book favours Rovers in this fixture, the two sides have met 44 times, Rovers winning 16, losing 14 with 14 draws along the way. The super-whites edge it yet again this time with the goal difference, 95 goals have been scored down the years with rovers bagging 52 to Posh’s 43. But still we have to cast are minds back to the 2004/05 battle between the two for the last Tranmere victory beating United a very impressive 5-0 on the day. The last decade has not been kind to Rovers with 14 encounters winning just two.

Peterborough will turn out at Prenton Park tomorrow with the hottest strike force in the league with Aaron Mclean and Craig Mackail-Smith scoring ten between them with seven of the goals coming in the league.

Rovers will be looking to their striker inform, despite failing to grasp three points yet this term Enoch Showunmi has scored three in three.

　

Team News;

The long list of injury’s that’s increasing for Les Parry see’s Simon Miotto picking up a hamstring injury joining Marlon Broomes, Ash Taylor, Nick Wood, Paul Mclaren, Joss Labadie and John Welsh who will all miss out. Gunnar Nielsen is also unavailable as he is away on international duty with Faroe Islands. The ever growing absentees will see Mendy and Fraughan come in to the starting 11 and Grandison compete with Blancharde to partner Ian Goodison at the back. Captain Ian Thomas-Moore is expected to return after missing the last two games due to a knee injury.

Peterborough set off for Prenton Park with nearly every one available for selection. Posh manager Gary Johnson is hopeful Captain Gary McCann will be involved after being rushed back from international duty. Gabriel Zakuani is also in the squad after failing to join up with Congo. Lee Frecklington will miss out. Mendez-Laing also on the casualty list after picking up a knee injury.