• 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 Shrimpers v Rovers

Boz

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Good antidote to Saturday's disappointment, Rovers were totally in control in the first half and rode the storm created by Southend's changes in tactics and personnel in the opening ten minutes of the second half to see the game out comfortably. It was a good mix of attacking play, some quality balls on the deck, but also some good high/long balls, which kept the opponent guessing.

None of the starting xi had a below par performance. It was hard to pick out a MoM because there were so much quality on display. I'd probably agree with Danny Lloyd for his skill and work-rate, it was great to see that his stamina has improved and he lasted almost the full game. Feeney, Lewis and Woolery ran him close and there were some solid showings at the back.
 

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Just watched Keith post match. I’m sure he must look at some of the social media meltdown comments after Saturdays defeat!!
As an aside I didn’t see much point in bringing CBT on with 90 seoncds left but hey ho
 
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Just watched Keith post match. I’m sure he must look at some of the social media meltdown comments after Saturdays defeat!!
As an aside I didn’t see much point in bringing CBT on with 90 seoncds left but hey ho
Interesting that he said, 'A lot of people had written our season off after Saturday'. Clearly a reference to Vaughan and Hill's belief that we can succeed without him.
 

Sparky

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Yes given there wasn’t much time between Saturday and tonight you wonder if he looking himself or do the players or coaches let him know. Or maybe he just expects it.

Anyhow on to Sunday and with a big league game next Wednesday, Keith has some decisions to make..
 

Ian

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Yes given there wasn’t much time between Saturday and tonight you wonder if he looking himself or do the players or coaches let him know. Or maybe he just expects it.

Anyhow on to Sunday and with a big league game next Wednesday, Keith has some decisions to make..
I reckon it will be a similar side at Wembley to the one that played tonight, both in tactics and personnel.
 

Ian

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It's actually a shame we don't see him get exited and downplays the victories but like he says, he doesn't want to set himself up for a fall. Probably needs to try and forget all the rubbish on twitter and forums (not ours of course!). Very pleased for KH tonight as he got team selection and tactics spot on.
 
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Wouldn't you expect Clarke and probably Spearing to be rested?
I think it will be similar, not necessarily exactly the same.

I think our options are more limited because of the current injuries. If Spearing is rested and O'Connor plays in midfield, who plays at right back ? I don't think Feeney can operate as a wing back against McGeady.
 

Boz

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I think it will be similar, not necessarily exactly the same.

I think our options are more limited because of the current injuries. If Spearing is rested and O'Connor plays in midfield, who plays at right back ? I don't think Feeney can operate as a wing back against McGeady.
I agree re Spearing, because O'Connor is needed elsewhere. Think Monthe for Clarke likely.
 
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Too many of them after over 50 years!
It's actually a shame we don't see him get exited and downplays the victories but like he says, he doesn't want to set himself up for a fall. Probably needs to try and forget all the rubbish on twitter and forums (not ours of course!). Very pleased for KH tonight as he got team selection and tactics spot on.
In one of his earlier interviews Keith said he doesn't read 'social media'. That surprised me because his interviews always sound like he has read feedback. Of course, he could be hearing second hand feedback from the Palios'. Haven't watched it yet but does he use the word 'emotional'? ;0)
 
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Too many of them after over 50 years!
Perhaps we should change the music from Rockford's to Observations from a Hill (cyber pint to the first to name the band). Anyway, does anyone else think that the team has a problem adapting to high-pressing teams and that a way of keeping the ball on the ground needs to be found to avoid the long ball 'answer to the question'. When Southend 'pressed' a bit at the start of the second half things looked dicey but I think southend ran out of puff, so to speak. Or was it the way the team adapted? I think Southend were poor as an attacking force anyway.
 
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I think as has been commented on one of the podcasts tonight, the Prenton Park pitch plays a part. Southend's pitch was in great condition and it was possible to play the one touch stuff and triangles that we like. On our playing surface that is far more difficult.

I think players like Spearing, Fenney, Lloyd and co. are good enough technically to cope with being pressed.
 
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I reckon it will be a similar side at Wembley to the one that played tonight, both in tactics and personnel.
An interesting dilemma for Keith. Does he go all out to win? Does he reward the squad players who have done the work in the early rounds? Does he rest the tired legs? A regular starter in this cup has been Joe Murphy. What a pub quiz question it would be if he played at the new Wembley 21 years after playing at the old stadium for the same team. I think he'll go for an Oxford style side with the big guns on the bench.
 

bigmart

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I am not sure it is that poor overall since Jackson was sacked. I would guess if we maintain the number of points per game of the last twenty matches in the next thirteen, we would go up regardless.
We have lost 7 home games of which 4 are under Hill that's a poor overall record for a team challenging for top 3.
 
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ya, he has someone saying about the forums, even though we have lost 4 home games we have lost 2 in around 16 games so not all bad give the guy a little cred, as for Sunday same team as tonight we are not expected to get everything most are expecting us to get hammered, so let us get in our deadly Submarine,fire a few Woolery Torpedoes, and a Spearing Exocet missile, could we Rock & Roll on Sunday and have a Smocking Cigar after
 
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We have lost 7 home games of which 4 are under Hill that's a poor overall record for a team challenging for top 3.
We have picked up 22 points from 12 home games since Jackson was sacked. Extrapolated to a whole season, that is 84 points which is easily automatic promotion form.

It is not the number of defeats in isolation that matters. It is the points per game ratio.
 
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Too many of them after over 50 years!
We have lost 7 home games of which 4 are under Hill that's a poor overall record for a team challenging for top 3.
I think what actually matters is how many games are won overall, and Tranmere is on a par with the current top 3. Also, there is little difference between home and away when there are no supporters present. No 12th "person" ;0). In terms of points won, statistically it is virtually 50/50 for points gained H/A. As it stands, if another 8 games are won whether at PP or elsewhere, I think it will be a promotion-winning season. Most of the top teams have to play each other, including against Tranmere, so those games are the proverbial 6-pointers.Time will tell.
 

Boz

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19 points from 11 games since KH took over, the Grimsby win was under Dawes/Parky.

What’s frustrating is that aside from v Walsall, we probably should have got something from those games, an extra 3 points would have us in the promotion spots now. While the pitch condition may be a factor as think BBTC suggests, we’ve played some great football at home recently like the Forest Green game. It’s not clear why we run into difficulties at PP.
 
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19 points from 11 games since KH took over, the Grimsby win was under Dawes/Parky.

What’s frustrating is that aside from v Walsall, we probably should have got something from those games, an extra 3 points would have us in the promotion spots now. While the pitch condition may be a factor as think BBTC suggests, we’ve played some great football at home recently like the Forest Green game. It’s not clear why we run into difficulties at PP.
Nineteen points from eleven is still an excellent ratio and I am not sure it is reasonable to exclude the Grimsby game, as the clear watershed in the season was the departure of Jackson.

If our home from matched our away record we would scarcely lose a game ever, which probably is not realistic.

The reality is that our points per game record under Hill is clear automatic promotion form and it does not matter where those points are won, as long as we pick them up in the same ratio.
 
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