• Nigel Adkins has been given the Tranmere job on a permanent basis signing until the end of the 25/26 season. Continue the discussion here.

Rovers v Stevenage

Ian

Super White!
Admin
Joined
21 Sep 2005
Messages
12,020
Player
Aldo
Manager
Kingy
Let’s hope they settle in better today then otherwise there’s going to be some backlash.
 

rossb07

Member
Joined
25 Apr 2018
Messages
107
Player
Adam Buxton
I like when a player isn’t selected for the bench that they must have fallen out with MM, not that they’re just behind someone else in the pecking order.
 

Ian

Super White!
Admin
Joined
21 Sep 2005
Messages
12,020
Player
Aldo
Manager
Kingy
Decent half from Rovers. It thought it was quite an evenly contested game but our late pressure in the first half paid off and we go in a goal up. Still feel we need to help Nors more up front with Jennings dropping quite deep at times.
 

Boz

Member
Joined
30 Sep 2005
Messages
8,851
Player
Iain Hume
Sid Nelson off injured after he and Monthe seemed to be developing an understanding. Injury time header from Morris puts Rovers ahead, seemed to be a lot of Stevenage protests, couldn’t tell why from my viewpoint.

We seem to be surrendering a lot of possession in the midfield areas, most of their players are big lads and think we may need to address that.
 

Boz

Member
Joined
30 Sep 2005
Messages
8,851
Player
Iain Hume
Much more comfortable second half, deserved win.
 
Joined
15 Mar 2010
Messages
13,873
Player
Jason Koumas / John Morrissey
Manager
John King
An excellent performance from Rovers. The first half was cagey but I thought we were the better side and deserved our lead. In the second half we were in complete control and some of the football was great to watch. The new signings all played well and the standard of our passing through midfield was noticeably improved on the team of a few weeks ago. I thought we played really intelligently against the ten men, not punting the ball into the box too early, but keeping it moving to drag their players out of position and gradually grind them down. In reality, we deserved to win irrespective of the red cards.

Individually, I thought Nelson was playing really well prior to going off. He was very vocal, showed good leadership and was prepared to come and head anything that came his way. Monthe started nervously, but was back to his old self by the second half, and Ellis also did a decent job when coming on. Morris was much improved on Tuesday night. He showed a good first touch and had a couple of good runs in addition to the goal. I thought Connor had an excellent second half. While I agreed with the sponsor's choice of Pringle as man of the match, I thought it was a toss up between him and Perkins. Both of them were outstanding with their composure and intelligence on the ball, and I can barely remember either of them giving it away all afternoon. Perkins also seems a natural leader and was constantly talking and directing, and he could be a good choice as captain in the absence of McNulty.

The only slight reservation I had with the system was that Norwood did not get much service through the middle in the absence of Banks. However, there was plenty of creativity from the wide areas, particularly from Pringle on the left.

The gap to the play offs is only six points and on today's performance I don't think we are out of the picture. The early indications are that Micky and the club have done a very good job with the January recruitment.
 
Joined
15 Mar 2010
Messages
13,873
Player
Jason Koumas / John Morrissey
Manager
John King
I just wanted to add that Liam Ridehalgh looks a different player in the current set up. I thought he was excellent today and seems to have been helped by having Pringle and Perkins directing him and linking with him.

I think Ben and Liam played together at Rotherham which probably helps.
 
Joined
18 May 2012
Messages
769
Player
ian goodison
I’m surprised at the lack of change too, maybe a chance for the new players to bed in more.

Mullin not even on the bench, another player Micky’s fallen out with...?
mullin/harris picked up injuries in training so I heard
 
  • Like
Reactions: Boz
Joined
18 May 2012
Messages
769
Player
ian goodison
surprised we had the same team as Tuesday but what do I know? fairly even 1st half but a goal on the stroke of half time, not sure if their manager was sent to the stands, I think he complained about the added time but should have a word with his defence, 2nd half was much better the new lads looked more settled and we played much better football, some great performance ellis was immense never missed a header or tackle, many looked more composed, conor,pringle & Norris had good games but MOM to me was perkins who was everywhere and bossed the game
 

Cowshed Kid

Member
Joined
5 Dec 2015
Messages
882
Player
Bobby Hutchinson
We'll, wasn't that ten times better than Tuesday?
Game of very few chances, of which we took two.
In fact, don't remember a save for Scotty.
Sid was starting to settle and I did see him barking out orders for their set pieces. Ellis was excellent in his place though, barely missing a header.
Hopefully Manny got shut of his mares in one go on Tuesday. Back to his bullying self today.
31 for them should have been off earlier for aiming a couple of haymakers at Nors. Ridiculous that he then went for CJ, thankfully causing him no damage.
2nd red for them inexcusable. Two down, 90 plus on clock and you forearm smash an opponent?
I do like Perkins. Always makes himself available, tidy give and take play. As MM told us, he beligns his years.
Noticeable that today (and Tuesday despite how bad we played), there was no big lumps upfield to a target man that wasn't there.
Losing Miller must have scuppered MMs plans but the new additions do look like we can play our way into goal scoring positions.
 

Boz

Member
Joined
30 Sep 2005
Messages
8,851
Player
Iain Hume
Couldn't figure why Stevenage had the edge in possession in the first half [think the BBC site had it as 44:56] yet Rovers were so totally dominant after h/t. Although they were chasing the game, only recall one effort from them after h/t on the break which was blazed over the bar. If there was a tactical adjustment, it worked.

While one swallow doesn't make a summer, there were numerous positives to take from this game. At the back, both Nelson and Rides were vocal, Manny looked back to his best and Perkins was organising defending some set pieces from midfield. When Nelson went off, Ellis didn't put a foot wrong, best game he's played for us. Perkins was like a duracell bunny, popping up everywhere. Pringle looked good and there were times, when he'd interchange with Connor Jennings and move into a more central position and set up things centrally. Morris had a good first half, couple of shots testing their keeper before the late opening goal. though he faded a bit after the break. I still feel that Smith has more tricks in his locker and moving forwards that may be one of the tougher calls Micky has to make. Norwood quieter than usual,but got the clinching second goal from a tight angle.

MoM I could see why the sponsors went for Pringle, Perkins was pulling the strings and Ridehalgh impressed going forward. However Connor Jennings for me, involved in setting up both of the goals, not afraid to have a go himself and linked well with Pringle.
 
Joined
15 Mar 2010
Messages
13,873
Player
Jason Koumas / John Morrissey
Manager
John King
Morris had a good first half, couple of shots testing their keeper before the late opening goal. though he faded a bit after the break. I still feel that Smith has more tricks in his locker and moving forwards that may be one of the tougher calls Micky has to make.
Yes, I agree with that. I think Smith is more direct and more of a goal threat, but Morris has a great first touch and always seems composed on the ball, a bit like Pringle.
 
Joined
24 Jul 2017
Messages
4,185
Player
aldo
well at last we are back to winning ways. have had a few beers at the beach with glee at the result . also a few other scores going are way . all in all a great day . my little girl has had a tap and ballet show in spain tonight . the girls where amazing
 

Ian

Super White!
Admin
Joined
21 Sep 2005
Messages
12,020
Player
Aldo
Manager
Kingy
That was a really good 2nd half performance and I agree with RLC regarding Pringle and Perkins. They are excellent players to have on the pitch. Perkins is a workhorse, neat and today and just doesn't stop running. The type of player you need in midfield. I also like Pringle's style. Again, neat and tidy, doesn't give it away, he's always looking to drive forward and too has a great engine. While I'm not Ridehalgh's biggest fan, he certainly linked up well down the left and they had a lot of joy with crosses and dangerous balls into the box.

Defence looked solid again with Monthe back to his solid best. Nelson looked good before his head injury forced him off and Ellis was superb when he came on.
That three points just keeps us from drifting away and we need a run of good results now if we are to mount any kind of challenge this season.
 

Ian

Super White!
Admin
Joined
21 Sep 2005
Messages
12,020
Player
Aldo
Manager
Kingy
Ohh and Norwood now on 20 league goals for the season! Superb.
 
Joined
18 May 2012
Messages
769
Player
ian goodison
with nelson looking a good prospect & ellis putting in a superb performance what now for steve? plus before the game I thought we would miss banks but who could be replaced in midfield? not often we have those sort of selection headaches
 

Ian

Super White!
Admin
Joined
21 Sep 2005
Messages
12,020
Player
Aldo
Manager
Kingy
Very true. It’s all good healthy competition for places though which is exactly what we need.
 
Joined
1 Oct 2005
Messages
5,692
Player
Alan King, Barry Dyson
Phew! A relief. Isn't it strange how one result has changed everyone's mood and prospects for the season.
 
Joined
24 Jul 2017
Messages
4,185
Player
aldo
i think if the two boys at the back can get a good partnership going steve will be a bench warmer . we all love him . but he is not getting younger and we need to move on . . we need more younger players and more menace about em and more important with pace
 
Top