• 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.

tangerines v rovers

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IF we manage to survive it will be interesting to rank that as an achievement against the back to back promotions.
It would be a far greater achievement in my view. I said the same back in August, but I believe it even more strongly now.

I think your point about the Prenton Park pitch is telling. Will it adversely affect us ? I hope not, as confidence is really high at the moment and we are not limited to one formation (ie. using wingers who need a decent pitch to carry the ball).
 

ONIGP

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It would be a far greater achievement in my view. I said the same back in August, but I believe it even more strongly now.
I agree with you now but wouldn't have done so at the start of the season. Perhaps naively I thought we were strong enough based on a reasonable squad and the numbers game taking into account the travails of Bury and Bolton. I probably underestimated the difficulties of playing at this level, although in fairness they were compounded by our horrific injury list.
 
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I agree with you now but wouldn't have done so at the start of the season. Perhaps naively I thought we were strong enough based on a reasonable squad and the numbers game taking into account the travails of Bury and Bolton. I probably underestimated the difficulties of playing at this level, although in fairness they were compounded by our horrific injury list.
I don't think the squad we started the season with was ever fit for purpose at this level, purely due to financial constraints and the impact of successive promotions.

Without the January reinforcements I don't think we would have had any chance of survival.
 

ONIGP

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The switch to 442 in the second half was also surprising, given the control in midfield that Blackpool had after half time, but I think the change did prevent us from sitting too deep, and after a frantic five or ten minutes after the Blackpool goal, we defended relatively comfortably to see the game out.
I must admit my initial reaction was bemusement when CBT came on for Woods but quickly realised why MM had done it. They had pegged the goal back and we would have sat deeper and deeper. Nevertheless, it was an incredibly bold move by MM and all credit to him for taking the initiative. If it had backfired he would have been slated.
 

drwhoman

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In light of our current situation MM probably rightly feels that he has to be bold. I am sure it gave Blackpool something to think about as well given CBT’s speed. No point in whimpering into relegation. Whatever happens Rovers have to give it their best shot.
 

ONIGP

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In light of our current situation MM probably rightly feels that he has to be bold. I am sure it gave Blackpool something to think about as well given CBT’s speed. No point in whimpering into relegation. Whatever happens Rovers have to give it their best shot.
Yes, I agree. What surprised me was that it was quite an unMickeylike change appearing counter-intuitive yet made so quickly and decisively - only a couple of minutes after their goal. I'm not one who has been a massive detractor of the substitutions he makes; yes, some baffle me (as do some that he doesn't make) but he gets some spectacularly right. How often does a manager actually remove a defender when his team are leading but under attack? The usual change would be to bring an extra defender on (if playing a 4) or to shore up the midfield. He may just have had an extra Shredded Wheat for breakfast but It probably reflects a growing confidence in his own personnel. Either way, kudos from me!
 
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ian goodison
posts on the paddock forum suggesting certain players not wanted/disunity in the dressing room yet the results from the last 3 games seems to contradict those comments, micky has tweaked the team the last 3 games yet all those picked have stepped up to the plate, still some way to go but at least we appear to be playing with pride and determination,
 

Ian

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From what I have witnessed in the last few games, the team had never been so united. They are all playing with the right attitude, working hard for each other and that is all you can ask.
Confidence is high and my only main concern now is the PP pitch. I just don’t think we can play the same way on it and that will limit our attacking play. Shame we can’t play away for the rest of the season!

This is what you want from your players:

 
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It is interesting that in the recent three away wins, Micky has used 19 players in at least three different formations, including two last night. I have believed in Micky's tactical nous and flexibility as well as his inspirational man management for some time. I'm sure we don't see a lot of it and much of it goes unrewarded because of defensive mishaps, injuries and refereeing errors. It should have been obvious to anyone after the Boreham Wood play-off final. If not, it must be now.
 
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Confidence is high and my only main concern now is the PP pitch. I just don’t think we can play the same way on it and that will limit our attacking play. Shame we can’t play away for the rest of the season!
Indeed, Ian. The last three games have been played on decent pitches but must have almost seemed like home games with the magnificent support of the SWA. However, Lincoln at home will be a different test. Then it's on to Rochdale, whose pitch looked as bad as ours on the recent Quest highlights. No matter what the pitch or the opposition, Micky will have an appropriate plan.
 

ADD

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Great win - well played each and everyone. Yes we were under the cosh and holding on a bit in the second half as they had the most of the possession but we look so much more comfortable than before.Thought Ferrier was immense on his return and Clarke and Ellis great at the back again - let's hope they can stay fit - if they can then we stand an excellent chance now. Woods also did a great job and hopefully his substitution was just down to fatigue as he offers another great option.
 

frenchrover

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One of the grittiest performances for a long time and a well desreved 3 points, outstanding for me, on a night of a great all round team performance, was that of Morgan Ferrier who, whilst not forgetting his defensive duties when needed, was a permanent thorn in the side of the Blackpool defence.
 
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Yes, I agree. What surprised me was that it was quite an unMickeylike change appearing counter-intuitive yet made so quickly and decisively - only a couple of minutes after their goal. I'm not one who has been a massive detractor of the substitutions he makes; yes, some baffle me (as do some that he doesn't make) but he gets some spectacularly right. How often does a manager actually remove a defender when his team are leading but under attack? The usual change would be to bring an extra defender on (if playing a 4) or to shore up the midfield. He may just have had an extra Shredded Wheat for breakfast but It probably reflects a growing confidence in his own personnel. Either way, kudos from me!
As BBTC has said, I think Micky has actually made unorthodox substitutions and tactical changes in the past that have had a major impact on games.

Two examples would be the introduction of Jennings at Wembley in 2018, only days after he had come off his sick bed, and the appearance of Big Mac in extra time last May, when most of us assumed he had already been put out to pasture.
 
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What I love about Mickey is that he has never once complained about injuries even when faced with an inferior squad Even pte-Blackpool he’d not be drawn about the improvement of playing personnel in the jan transfer window. Kudos all the way :)
 
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ONIGP

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Back to MM's man management and the spirit in the squad, here's some convincing evidence. https://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/2020/march/ferrier-praises-swa-after-win-at-blackpool/ It is clear that most - if not all - of the squad are motivated and feel involved. It's also nice whenever the SWA get a mention. I think you can see the appreciation when the players celebrate when a goal is scored and at the end of the game.
Seeing that it matters to the players as much as the fans definitely reinforces that bond.
 
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By looking at the way Ferrier and Vaughan celebrated their goals together, Morgan means what he said in the article. They seem to have hit it off and I’d be surprised if Micky doesn’t stick with them on Saturday.
 

ONIGP

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By looking at the way Ferrier and Vaughan celebrated their goals together, Morgan means what he said in the article. They seem to have hit it off and I’d be surprised if Micky doesn’t stick with them on Saturday.
I agree with that. I expect at least one other change but would be surprised if it included the front 2 - they were a real handful.
 
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