Bromley v Rovers (16/17)

[Sparky]

Here we go then. I doubt there are many clubs at this level where there is a real feeling of optimism around the place. The 2nd half of last season saw rovers in great form overall, just falling at the last hurdle. Add to that the signings, on paper at least, are very good at this level (Cook, C Jennings), plus the likes of Stephenson bring pace that was missing last season. All in all I would say most supporters I know, plus GB and MP, are feeling very positive.

Bromley finished 14th last season and as far as I know, have kept their top scorer Emmanuel who got 20 in the league plus ex rover Ben Chorley.

As for the rovers line up, I'm expecting a 4-5-1 with Norwood played out wide. Can't see GB going with 2 up front given our away form last season. I'm guessing the team will be something like:

Davies
Vaughan McNulty Ihikwe Ridehalgh
Mekki, Harris, Jenno, Connor J, Norwood
Cook

This leaves out Jeff Hughes plus the likes of Kirby who had a good pre season and with Stephenson too, GB has real options. Lets hope he knows what to do with them.

Prediction: 2-0 win for rovers ahead of 2 tough home games next week.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

Like Sparky, I can't wait for the season to start. I probably have not felt this positive at the beginning of a campaign for twenty years and we have an exciting week ahead.

I agree with Sparky's line-up, although I think Jeff Hughes will start ahead of Harris. Bromley have actually lost Emmanuel (at least, he is currently a free agent) and I don't think they have strengthened over the summer. We beat them comfortably home and away last season, and while there is no room for complacency, this is the kind of game we must win if we are to be serious contenders. I think we will run out fairly comfortable winners, with far bigger tests to follow at Prenton Park next week.

There should be a good Rovers turnout of 500 plus as well. Roll on Saturday.

 

[Boz]

For the first time in a decade, I've not made any pre-season games, so not feeling so fired up. We've made some good signings and have the nucleus of a side capable of going up, though even allowing for Gumbs stepping up, I feel we're a defender short.

Haven't registered Bromley making any significant signings and if they've lost their main goal threat, then Rovers should win this without too much trouble. Although I listened to some of the commentary of last season's game and Rovers, while on top, failed to kill the game off, winning narrowly. Given our first two home games are toughies, we need to get off to a flyer here.

 

[bring back the cowshed!]

If we are to improve on last season, we need to win this sort of game. A good win with a clean sheet will set the tone and give us confidence for two tough home games. I'm agreeing with Sparky's 2-0.

 

[Colin K]

From looking at Bromley it looks like a lot of their goal-scoring threat has yet to sign a contract, but it's looking like their two main hopefuls (Sho-Silver and Turgott) should sign before Saturday. That said, I can't see them offering too much by way of resistance and despite a solid performance in a narrow loss to Crystal Palace on Tuesday (albeit an inexperienced Palace side) I can see us dominating midfield and winning by a decent margin. My money is on 3-1 and 4-1...have a sneaky feeling we will undo ourselves at the back with an OG!

 

[Ian]

Surely we have to be confident going into this one. I predict a decent start and a 3-1 win.

 

[Mal]

If anyone is driving down, go via Dartford Bridge. There is a London Triathlon and all roads around Blackwall tunnel will be gridlocked, from past experience. I phoned Tranmere to recommend the coach avoids Blackwall tunnel.....

 

[bigmart]

Fancy us strongly to win this going for a 2 0 win with cook and norwood scoring

 

[Gray]

If anyone is driving down, go via Dartford Bridge. There is a London Triathlon and all roads around Blackwall tunnel will be gridlocked, from past experience. I phoned Tranmere to recommend the coach avoids Blackwall tunnel.....

And if you are going via the Dartford Crossing, note that there are no toll gates anymore. You have to pay online before you travel or by midnight the following day.

https://www.gov.uk/pay-dartford-crossing-charge

 

[Higgy]

Early days - might be a bit edgey. Hope for a comfortable win, but have a feeling it might be goaless.

 

[Cowshed Kid]

Bit disappointed....wanted three for my bet to come in
On hols so only picked up the score updates.
Look forward to seeing posts from those who were there.
Happy days, pleased for Nors, roll on Tuesday!

 

[bring back the cowshed!]

Bit disappointed....wanted three for my bet to come in
On hols so only picked up the score updates.
Look forward to seeing posts from those who were there.
Happy days, pleased for Nors, roll on Tuesday!

It shows how far we've come when you moan about a 2-0 away win .

 

[Mal]

Highlights. Norwood scores. Fan dressed as hotdog runs on pitch to celebrate. Police and stewards escort him out of ground and he is arrested on suspicion of pitch encroachment and drunk and disorderly. How times have changed
the last two nil opening game i went to as I have mentioned before, was Brighton were a streaker was arrested for lewd behaviour and pitch encroachment
apparently this will mean a 3 year ban according to the incredibly sour policeman I spoke to. Anyway, Bromley were not too good and Tranmere took two chances. Still think that I prefer the passing game though. Good defence.

 

[Ian]

to. Anyway, Bromley were not too good and Tranmere took two chances. Still think that I prefer the passing game though. Good defence.

Did we play a lot of long balls then? Sounded like we were pretty much in control for the most part.

 

[Mal]

In my opinion there were still a lot of long balls compared to some of the flowing moves we saw against Blackpool. I also think Steve Jennings should be on the bench for a couple of games to see if that makes a difference. Still, early days and nice to see an opening day win. Maybe it is just me that thinks there are too many 'bypass midfield' balls. The first goal had more of the passing movement to it.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

An impressive performance from Rovers and a comfortable victory. The match panned out as many of us thought it would and was effectively over at half time. Our front three were too much for Bromley to handle in the first half and I never felt the result would be anything other than a Rovers victory from the moment Nors put us in front. It is ironic that after all the talk of the new signings it was Norwood who came up with the goals today, albeit Cook and Jennings made a major contribution in the build up play.

We started the first half very strongly, setting up in a 4-3-3 with Norwood and Jennings either side of Cook. The attacking trio tormented Bromley in the first fifteen minutes and there were several good moves, the best of which was finished sublimely by Norwood. Norwood's second goal just before the break resulted from a good ball from Ridehalgh and a Cook knock down, with James again showing a composure in the six yard box which was sometimes lacking last season. After half time we seemed generally content to sit on the lead but managed the game quite effectively. Bromley had their best spell just after the break but we restricted them to very few clear chances and kept them at arm's length.

Individually, James Norwood was man of the match and was unlucky not to complete his hat trick with a chance five minutes from the end. Elsewhere, I though Mc Nulty was outstanding, Davies extremely solid and Ridehalgh impressive once again.

I did have some misgivings with the performance, however. After both goals I thought there were long periods where we sat too deep, allowed Bromley possession in midfield and invited them on to us. Ultimately Bromley were not good enough to hurt us and the back four were very solid, but this approach could prove costly against a better team. Added to which, I though we relied too much on long balls up to Cook which is partly why we started sinking too deep as a team: midfield was by-passed and we tried to mount attacks too quickly. When Jennings and Norwood got up alongside Cook he caused chaos, but I think we need to mix up our play more rather than always looking to go long. When Cook went off, our midfield came more into the game, controlling possession, and we saw the match out very comfortably in the last twenty minutes.

As well as he performed in pre-season, I also disagreed with playing Maynard at right back. Vaughan is far more natural in that position and I did not see the need to play a makeshift defender in his place. It was noticeable that most of our attacks came down the left hand side today and we had very little width on the right. If GB wants to play Maynard, I think he should take the place of Jennings or Harris.

Frustratingly, I could not get the Supporters Club app to work either and lost my two points, but I won't blame GB for that.

A Bromley supporter on the local radio station said after the game that we looked like potential champions, and we were certainly ruthless in attack. The two matches next week will probably give us a better idea of our strength relative to the other fancied teams.

 

[Mal]

A moment of humour was when the Bromley Management kept shouting at "Joe" and eventually, if he got the ball Tranmere supporters were shouting "Joe. Joe"

 

[Brightonian]

A wonderful way to kick off our promotion bid in the tranquil leafy suburbs of Bromley on a very hot day.
On the overall performance I would give it 7/10 as RLC says we did let our momentum slip back and allow Bromley into the game. However we looked very dangerous every time we pushed forward and moved the ball about. Early days but it looks as though the front three are developing a good understanding and will be a real threat to any team that was sadly lacking last year.
Agree the MOM was James Norwood who took his chances superbly and his overall game was good bringing the ball down well, harrying defenders into mistakes and getting back when needed. I would add Jeff Hughes to the RLC list of good performers as he often was the one to get hold of the ball with some vision and he also put in some well timed tackles; a side of his game I have not seen before.Liam Ridehalgh does look much fitter and revitalised and must say I had my doubts creeping in with him end of last season but he made an excellent contribution.
It was a strange decision to play Lois Maynard in place of Vaughan and when the team sheet was announced I had haunting recollections of him playing RB at Woking last season and getting skinned many times. To be fair Lois was really good with his aerial defensive play and determination to be first to the ball but equally can recall some errors and his 'up,and under clearances' added nothing to our control of play.
A game we could and perhaps should have won by three or four goals if we had kept control of the game and built up the play a little more but perhaps the hot day took its toll. To use the in vogue 'game management' was spot on to achieve the clean sheet and secure the result. The really professional way we saw out the game whilst not so exciting does perhaps show determination not to let slip ups occur.
Not sure how many the away supporters officially numbered but looked around the 1000 mark: a fantastic turnout by the SWA.

 

[Ian]

Thanks for the reports guys. Don't quite understand the Maynard at right back decision but another good away win.

Let's hope we can do the same at home!

 

[Sparky]

By the sounds of it I mistakenly assumed Vaughan had a slight knock and wasn't worth risking.

As well as Maynard has done pre season, it's an example of square pegs in round holes again. But at least we won but our right side of defence will face tougher challenges e.g Dawson for Eastleigh next Saturday (although he was a sub yesterday).