• 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.

League Two Mariners v Rovers

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Jason Koumas / John Morrissey
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John King
It is a trip to Blundell Park next for Rovers, as we face a Grimsby side in poor form and staring relegation to the National League in the face, only five years after regaining their league status.

It seems Grimsby have improved since the appointment of Paul Hurst and the addition of some new faces in January, but that is yet to be reflected in results. One of those signings was ex-Rover Stefan Payne, while Luke Waterfall might also feature at centre back, and no doubt still harbours his grudge against us. The early indications are that the game will go ahead, although the pitch will no doubt be very difficult and Rovers will have to adapt better to the conditions than they did on Tuesday night. Hurst's teams generally play decent football, so I am expecting a better spectacle than on Tuesday.

In terms of selection, I think Feeney will return to the side in place of Crawford and we will be otherwise unchanged.

Prediction: despite Tuesday's struggles, I expect Rovers to win this game and get the promotion show back on the road.
 

ONIGP

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Eddie Bishop
It is a trip to Blundell Park next for Rovers, as we face a Grimsby side in poor form and staring relegation to the National League in the face, only five years after regaining their league status.
I think the season they came back they put out their reserves at PP having already been guaranteed a play off spot. To me that was one of our "lows" in the NL.
 

Sparky

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Chris Greenacre
Need to win this game to put last Tuesday to bed and get back on track. Would agree with RLCs suggested team unless Keith rotates the likes of Lloyd or Woolery although the subs on Tuesday didn’t impress as we know. Hopefully we can get to see a bit of Nugent even if things are going our way.

As ever the first goal will be crucial. If they get it then they’ll be time wasting and look to frustrate us. If we get it then we could put them to the sword and win comfortably.
 

Ian

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I got the impression KH was happy with a point even as early as HT on Tues. Dangerous thinking. I’m sure we’ll go full pelt on Saturday although conditions might dictate it a bit. I’ll be disappointed if we don’t get all three points though.
 

Sparky

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Gutted. Another walk round the block then....
 
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Ian

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Gutted.
 
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We now have an interesting dilemma regarding the Pizza semi final on Tuesday. Do we play a full strength team with Wembley in view ?

I think I would still start with a second string side, but have Vaughan, Spearing and Feeney on the bench this time.
 

bigmart

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Ian Muir
We now have an interesting dilemma regarding the Pizza semi final on Tuesday. Do we play a full strength team with Wembley in view ?

I think I would still start with a second string side, but have Vaughan, Spearing and Feeney on the bench this time.
A mix and match team for me, have a few regulars but the rest be squad players
 

frenchrover

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aldo
Ian said "I got the impression KH was happy with a point even as early as HT on Tues. Dangerous thinking" Absolutely right on both counts, and what makes it even more baffling is his decision to bring on 2 "lightweights" in Kirby and Jolley when perhaps, in mentally conceding 2 points, he could have bolstered the defence with 1 or more of Ridehalgh, Ray or O'coonor.
 
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It was 0-0 at half time, so it made sense to bring on creative players like Kirby and Morris. The changes did not work, but they still made sense in the context of the game, and due to injury and off the field issues we did not have any better creative options available.

I think you are taking Hill's comments out of context. He clearly still wanted to win the game, but equally did not want to lose it through an individual error.

We had just won six in a row and it was our first poor performance in weeks, so I think a little perspective is needed.
 

Boz

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Iain Hume
I was disappointed with Keith Hill's post-match interview tbh.

Think the Grimsby game being called off could work to our benefit, but if we lose key players when the re-arranged game comes round or the Mariners have picked up some form, it might not.

Don't know about the players being jaded, but watching all the action on a screen rather than getting to a game is grinding me down and glad to have a weekend off...
 
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Personally, I have enjoyed the last few weeks now that we are playing well and winning virtually every game.
 
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with the money up for grabs, i would play a full team but would rest Vaughn if we can get time in Nugents lets and time for jolly
 
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