• 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 Rovers v Harrogate

Match result

  • Rovers

    Votes: 5 83.3%
  • Draw

    Votes: 1 16.7%
  • Harrogate

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    6
  • Poll closed .
Rovers v Harrogate
Posted by Ian
Prenton Park
Tuesday, March 15, 2022 - 07:45 PM
Until: Tuesday, March 15, 2022 - 10:00 PM
(Adjusted for timezone: Europe/London)
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bigmart

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Northampton and Newport both 2 up so it's vital we win.
 

bigmart

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A couple of close calls, they are throwing caution to the wind and having a go now.
 

Ian

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Bit of a strange game I thought. Rovers seemed to lack a bit of spark in general play but did break Harrogate down eventually after quite a lot of huffing and puffing. Harrogate had a few moments themselves in the second half after they made a couple of subs bringing on faster, trickier players to get behind us and they did stretch us on a few occasions with a goal line save from Clarke but Rovers got the job done and at this stage of the season, the three points is all that matters.

Great week. Six points in the bag and we move on.
 
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Jason Koumas / John Morrissey
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A comfortable and deserved victory for Rovers.

I thought prior to the red card we moved the ball sharply and played some decent football, but struggled with the final ball, with both wide players fairly disappointing. Harrogate set up with five at the back, and clearly seemed happy to play for a point and hit us on the counter attack even before the sending off. However, once they were (correctly) reduced to ten men, we switched the ball from side to side and the chances gradually came, with their keeper making a couple of brilliant saves from MacDonald and Hemmings before we finally broke the deadlock. It was a superb dribble and finish from Warrington for the opening goal.

Following our second goal, Harrogate finally showed some genuine attacking intent and did cause us some problems, largely through the pace and skill of Diamond, and we were indebted to a brilliant goalline clearance from Clarke and a superb block from MacDonald, to keep a clean sheet. However, we had been much the better side and the victory was deserved.

Individually, I thought both the central midfielders were excellent, MacDonald had another solid game and Murphy's distribution was very good. However, the man of the match was Lewis Warrington, who was fantastic once again.

It is ridiculously tight at the top of the table now, with just three points separating second place from seventh. Hopefully we can finally produce an away performance at a stuttering Sutton side on Saturday.
 
Last edited:

Boz

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Iain Hume
That was a strange game. Despite having a man advantage for the best part of an hour, Rovers never looked entirely comfortable, the header off our line shortly after the Hemmings penalty was the point at which I finally started to relax, though we still had a few jittery moments. Certainly we deserved to win and the 3 points more important than the manner how they were achieved.

Defensively we were fairly solid, though Josh Dacres-Cogley doesn't seem to be using his pace to bomb down the right side as much, while he was quite hesitant and that lost us some advantage in the attacking positions. Macdonald on the other side seemed more inclined to bomb forward. Warrington started quite patchy, some of his first half balls didn’t find their intended targets, but he kept going and his goal was sublime. No issue with Lewis as MoM but there were a few in contention.

The referee’s performance was pretty baffling, no card for the elbow on Hemmings leading to his head bandages, but a yellow for McPake for a nothing challenge? It seemed to be open season on McPake with the ref giving him no protection in the second half and his foot also got trodden on. The first challenge resulting in Armstrong’s sending off looked bad, so having drawn attention to himself if was stupid to get involved in another dubious challenge s few minutes later. I didn’t have a clear view of the penalty, but the lads next to me thought it was generous.
 

ALDO MUSSY

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cheers for the reports chaps just home was keeping tabs on it at work sounds like a good game and another win
 
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Injury update: Glatzel out for the season, Morris for two to three weeks, Spearing probably available on Saturday. Spearing will be needed, as O'Connor is away on international duty.
 

drwhoman

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Injury update: Glatzel out for the season, Morris for two to three weeks, Spearing probably available on Saturday. Spearing will be needed, as O'Connor is away on international duty.
So sorry for Glatzel. When will it end! Pleased that Jay will be back on Saturday to add some experience to the midfield.
 

Boz

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It is a shame about Glatzel, though he seemed quite hesitant in the Mansfield game and that perhaps contributed to his latest injury. Think there was mention of Maynard back in training, which might offer another option off the bench soon.

I’m unsure Spearing walks straight back into the team, O’Connor and Warrington both played well last night and no international duty for Lee this weekend.
 

bigmart

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Sad for Glatzel, appears be jinxed with Injuries, the international break will be next weekend I think
 

ALDO MUSSY

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yea sad for the Lad but think he will come back stronger and been a good player for us too after a slow start
 

Ian

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Sadly, I think Glatzel's injuries will be a major factor in his development. Seems far too injury prone.
Possibly a game or two too early for Spearing but I think he is needed now.
 
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It is a shame about Glatzel, though he seemed quite hesitant in the Mansfield game and that perhaps contributed to his latest injury. Think there was mention of Maynard back in training, which might offer another option off the bench soon.

I’m unsure Spearing walks straight back into the team, O’Connor and Warrington both played well last night and no international duty for Lee this weekend.
Mellon has confirmed that Spearing will be back for the Colchester game, but probably won't be ready this Saturday.

Neither of the two central midfielders deserve to be dropped, but a lack of experience in the middle of the pitch, and insufficient protection for the defence, was a big issue in the recent away defeats, and we have to get results in the next two matches. Micky emphasised the youth and inexperience of the current starting eleven in his post match interview.
 

Ian

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Boz

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I think that we have missed Spearing and his ability to run a game, but probably good that he returns to the team as O’Connor on international duty rather than going straight back in at the expense of O’Connor/Warrington.

Think we need to accept that experienced players aren’t always the answer. If Clarke hadn’t made that reckless challenge to gift Walsall a penalty Rovers could have at least delayed the losing away run, then who knows what happens…
 
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The centre of midfield has been a problem area in recent away games, and Spearing has been missed. At times we have been overrun and lacked physicality, and the ability to control the game.

I don't think occasional individual errors are restricted to players over the age of thirty.....
 
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You wonder what the future holds for Glatzel. How long is his contract with Liverpool? Time is not on his side and he is nowhere near making even their match day squad. I think the Reds might be happy to see him go. Would he want to join us permanently and would we take the risk with such an injury prone player? Personally, I’d be willing to take a chance if we can afford him.
 

Sparky

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You wonder what the future holds for Glatzel. How long is his contract with Liverpool? Time is not on his side and he is nowhere near making even their match day squad. I think the Reds might be happy to see him go. Would he want to join us permanently and would we take the risk with such an injury prone player? Personally, I’d be willing to take a chance if we can afford him.

I’m fairly sure glatzel is out of contract at the end of the season. I’d be surprised if Liverpool kept him on with his injury record. Like BBTC I’d like to see him back here depending on where we are next season, possibly on a low risk sort of contract.

As RLC says Micky made an interesting point post match about our lack of experience. My guess is several from last night: cogley, McDonald, hawkes, Warrington, OConnor and Nevitt have not previously been involved in a promotion campaign. Albeit Lee was with us last season. Also interesting mickys post match comments slightly critical of some of the SWA not being patient enough in the first half. Last night was the first home game I’ve missed this season but it’s never a surprise when 10 men can be tricky to break down but no surprise a few had a good old moan as that’s the way some people are
 
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