• 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 Grecians

Match result

  • Tranmere

    Votes: 2 40.0%
  • Draw

    Votes: 1 20.0%
  • Exeter

    Votes: 2 40.0%

  • Total voters
    5
  • Poll closed .
Rovers v Grecians
Posted by Ian
Prenton Park
Monday, April 18, 2022 - 03:00 PM
Until: Monday, April 18, 2022 - 05:00 PM
(Adjusted for timezone: Europe/London)
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Sparky

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It’s another must win game for rovers as second place Exeter visit PP on Monday. After FGRs defeat yesterday the visitors know a win for them and defeat for FGR (unlikely at home to Oldham), will see them go top. Exeter are 7 points ahead of fourth and with a game in hand, already have one foot in league one. Despite our home record Exeter will I am sure look to come and take home three points, especially give our poor form of 2 wins in 12. Whilst we still have the leagues best home record (but just 4 wins from 21 on our travels), the Grecians have the fourth best away record and are peaking at the right time. They have a number of dangerous attacking players including inform Dieng, Matt Jay and the pacey Zanzala. Jake caprice has been warming the bench of late. The visitors normally play a 3-5-2 with wing backs so I can’t see Micky sticking with the diamond especially as it didn’t work on Saturday.

As for rovers I’d rest Warrington and go with 4-4-2. Spearing and OConnor in the middle. Hawkes and McPake out wide, granted they need to pull their finger out. Or will mcmanaman be given a start after his goal - very possibly. Something needs to change so I’d start with Hemmings and Maynard up top. Even if only 75% fit its now or never for the latter to be given a chance. He can score at this level given the chance.
Prediction: I just can’t see a home win. A draw possibly our best hope which won’t do us any good. The worry is an early goal for the visitors and we could end up with a footballing lesson and a toxic atmosphere. Whereas we score first and with a raucous SWA it could, just could, be a home win
 
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Alan King, Barry Dyson
This is an ideal opportunity to put the last month behind us and kick start our end of season run in. So while my head says 0-3, my heart says 2-0. I’ve gone with my ❤️.
 
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bigmart

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I can't see us winning this, do well to get a draw but realistically think we will lose 2 1
 

Ian

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Yeah, I’d be amazed if we came away with three. I can’t bring myself round to say we’ll lose so going for a draw.
 
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I tend to agree that a draw is the most we appear capable of in our current form. I think our home performances have remained pretty good during this poor run, and we have only lost once at home since October. However, it is difficult to see us actually winning the game.

I think the team selection will be a real headache for Mellon. I am sure he will want to revert to a 442, but Hawkes looked completely devoid of confidence on Saturday, knocking passes straight out of play and attempting silly forty yard shots. McPake must also be really struggling in training at the moment, so it is difficult to know who the wide players will be. I think MacManaman will start, and perhaps Micky will have to use Foley out wide in a narrow 442. I agree with Sparky that Warrington should be rested.

Football being the strange game that it is, if we did somehow win the match I could actually see us making the play offs. The victory would be so unexpected and such a huge boost to morale, I think we might then get the points we need from the remaining three matches, with both Morris and MacDonald set to return for the final two games.

It would have been nice to have a bumper gate for this game, but I would guess the numbers will be relatively low due to the fairly depressed mood around the club at the moment.
 
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Sparky

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As RLC says a win albeit unlikely would be a major boost. I think the penultimate fixtures of the season see lots of teams around the top 7 playing each other. So it is still very much in our hands to a degree as other teams around us will inevitably drop teams. Even on Monday, port vale play Bristol rovers and Sutton play Newport
 
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Alan King, Barry Dyson
A few weeks ago, our run-in did not look that bad. Now it seems quite daunting. As well as in-form Exeter, we have relegation threatened Stevenage and Oldham. If we beat Borough, ironically it will make the Latics game more difficult!
We probably need three wins from four at least, but none of them - even the DJ al day visit to Brisbane Road - look easy, particularly on present form.
I am hoping that a lot of the problem is a lack of confidence and that a strong performance tomorrow can restore that. We’ve really got to win, as a draw may see us fall another two points away from the playoffs.
 

Boz

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With a depleted squad, the last thing needed is a game against a resurgent Exeter. The Grecians’ recent record at PP isn’t great, Recall their last win was was in the Rob Edwards spell when we dropped out of the FL. While any result is possible I did reckon draw is the most likely followed by away win. I think the manner of how we play here is important, no more limp showings like Bradford.

In terms of line-up, the defence picks itself with options so limited, while I would stick with Hemmings and Nevitt up front. The big decisions have to be taken in the middle of the park. With the way Exeter play, it would be a good game for Warrington, but as he wasn’t rested on Friday agree that he probably needs to come out of the starting xi. Think Micky rates Macmanaman and he will start, while if he’s fit enough McPake should start on the other side. I don’t think Foley works best wide and their may be stamina issues playing two games in a short time.

Exeter have sold about 600 tickets already, but think the home turnout will be lower than usual, an indication of disappointment at how the season appears to be fizzling out.
 
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We all need a shot in the arm and perhaps we can have our own biblical resurrection today.
I’m feeling a bit worn down like Ian, but I’d be worn out posting as early as Boz!
Will Exeter’s high expectations and possible over-confidence work in our favour; it happened with a certain Mansfield recently who had the game won before a ball had been kicked.
As Boz pointed out, it’s a real shame about our recent form as today should have been a bumper gate and a terrific atmosphere but I get the feeling it’ll be relatively muted and may turn a little uncomfortable if we go behind or even if we lack any spark.
My son’s doing a collection inside the ground today for the Ronald McDonald House charity. so if you see an uncomfortable looking teenager rattling a tin, please give generously.
 
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If we did somehow win today, the three remaining games would become a lot 'easier'. There is no reason why a confident Rovers side could not win those games against mediocre / poor opposition, plus Morris and Mac Donald will be back for two of them.

However, winning today is a long shot.
 

bigmart

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If we did somehow win today, the three remaining games would become a lot 'easier'. There is no reason why a confident Rovers side could not win those games against mediocre / poor opposition, plus Morris and Mac Donald will be back for two of them.

However, winning today is a long shot.
We have failed to win a number of the so called easier gamed all season so even in the event we win today I dont see us winning them
 
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We have failed to win a number of the so called easier gamed all season so even in the event we win today I dont see us winning them
The psychology is different if we win today. We have won the vast majority of 'easy' games at home, and I am sure we would beat Oldham. We would then need one away win.

Today's game is the most difficult of the remaining fixtures by some distance.
 

Sparky

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Agree that winning is unlikely, but we have a chance. Few thought we could end Mansfield’s 14 game unbeaten run. We also beat Swindon fairly comfortably.
Exeter are better than both of those and have lost 1 in their last 19 games, but if we can keep it tight, Nick a goal and then have the SWA roar us on to keeping a clean sheet it is possible, albeit unlikely.

I hope Maynard can start with Nevitt off the bench possibly.
 

Boz

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Got to the ground and feeling pretty flat for what is looking likely to be my last Rovers game of this season. Team selection, fairly similar to how we ended up at Bradford. I’d have like MM to have tried McPake given Hawkes has been quiet lately. A bit thin defensively with NKP not on the bench so maybe Foley kept out of the starting xi in case needed as cover
 

Sparky

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I thought we may have gone 3-5-2 to match them up but if NKP not on the bench maybe that has forced mickeys hand for 4-4-2.
Hopefully Warrington and OConnor have enough presence in the middle and Hawkes and Mcmanaman can create something
 

Boz

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Been a very end to end game where Exeter have had more of the chances but we’ve made one of ours tell. Would think we’d need at least 1 if not two more goals to get something out of this tbh. Some very strange refereeing too.
 

Sparky

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Well that was very enjoyable wasn’t it?! I said I thought we could nick a win if we kept it tight and we didn’t just nick a win, we fully deserved it.

First half I thought we edged and Nevitt and mcmanaman were linking well on the right and Elliot forced a decent save from their keeper. More good work from those two saw hemming pull the ball back for hawkes to score from close range at the kop end. Josh then came close to getting a second with a decent free kick their keeper saved.

Second half we kept them at bay but needed the second goal to kill them off and it came when merries cross was glanced in by Nevitt to make it 2-0. Some special mentions;

Cogley - outstanding.

Merrie - solid again at left back.

OConnor - my MOM. Covered every inch of grass

Mcmanaman - very good. Where has he been all season?! Maybe the goal on Friday has given him a boost.

Hawkes - had a poor game apart from the goal and his free kick. He was terrible defensively and couldn’t find a pass plus a couple of poor corners. Hopefully the goal will give him a boost.

Great result and to get a a clean sheet was a bonus. Back in the top 7 but with 2 of the 3 games left away from home, we need this sort of performance on our travels or it won’t matter. A great atmosphere and hopefully we can turn our poor run around
 
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