Rovers 0 L Orient 0

[Boz]

Didn't get to this one & will be interesting to hear from those who made it. Reports suggest Sonko having a decent game, so presume the h/t substitution enforced? If we can't beat teams of Orient's standing is it realistic to talk of making the play-offs?

 

[roverstillidie]

Disappointing performance and result, Sonko wasn't great but actually played better when he was injured!#-oOur only chances came from set pieces and Kay should have scored in the 2nd half with a free header and Jennings also should have scored when his shot was deflected across goal. We seemed to resort to hoof ball today with the ball spending more time in the main stand than on the pitch! Taylor speant the entire game hoofing it](*,)

Orient didn't really create a chance but they were well organised and number 5 and 28 at the back were excellent as was Terry in midfield - he marked Shuker off the pitch, eliminating our attacking threat.

Shotton was probably Tranmere's best player although his crossing was poor, nobody stuck out as having a good game.

 

[Ian]

Agree with RTID. The flowing attacking football we saw against Carlisle and Stockport really wasn't here today. Shuker wasn't in the game really. Meaning Moore was also starved of service. Sonko was poor again but no worse than the rest of them. And yes, bizarrely, we was better when he got injured! Hmm.. He was unlucky with that great shot just before the break.

I thought Orient worked hard to shut us out, and although they were weak as an attacking side, it was a good point for them.

For us, it really wasn't good enough. We struggled to open up their defence and even with Bas comig on in the second half, it made no difference. We were more atacking in the second half, but had no-one that cut put the ball in the net. The shooting was terrible today really. Jennings?!?

 

[SCooperSomersaults]

Poor performance and poor game really. Freezing cold, I've only just thawed out (3hrs after the game!). Orient didn't offer that much but their 20 was dangerous, Demetriou I believe.

Kay and Jennings should have done better with their chances, but was really disappointed that we didnt do all the good things we had done in the last 2 home games. All the shots were off target as a whole, when they were at least on target vs Carlisle and Stockport. We resorted to hoof ball, unsuccessfully but didnt really change and pass on the deck. And even towards the end we never looked to show the urgency to get the winning goal which would have made such a difference to the league position.

What with our away form being terrible, we need to be winning at home, especially against sides as poor as Orient. They're not near the bottom for nothing, and although they worked very hard, didnt show any real quality.

MOTM for me for Rovers, Jennings, ran everywhere and was a bundle of energy, maybe the only one who could say that in a white shirt.

 

[Ian]

Attendance was poor today. Less than 5000. I don't think many took advantage of the offer to buy four games and get one free. However most people have committments, it's not easy to get these tickets. The offer wasn't available online. If Tranmere are to run these offers, they need to make it easier for supporters.

Rant over, back on topic...

 

[roverstillidie]

Rather than having to buy all 4 at once you should be able to collect vouchers from the first 3 games for the 4th match or something along those lines.

 

[SonkORLY?]

We weren't great today by any means, but the second half was an improvement at least, and on another day we might have nicked one.

Coyne was pretty terrible again and I really think that at the end of the season we need to be looking for a replacement. At the back we were generally solid [without Goodison] and Chorley and Shotton in particular had good games, especially the latter. Sonko and Shuker struggled to do anything, Edds was absoloutely abysmal and had no effect, leaving Jenno doing the work of 3 others - he had a great game. Barnett IMO arguably had his best game so far and looks a real talent.

All things considered, though, 1 point from 6 against relegation fodder is simply not good enough for a team hoping to be in the top half, nevermind the playoffs. Today's result puts pressure on our away form, and with a few winnable away games coming up, it will be interesting to see how we respond - because we have to, basically.

 

[SCooperSomersaults]

Re the 4 for 3 ticket offer, yes it's a gesture by the club, but asking people to fork out £45 at once is just not the way to do it. People at these times just won't pay that all up front. And if people had done that, and watched the poor game, they'd have wondered why they have bothered. If the club want to attract more people to games, they have to run better offers (like footy for a fiver) and make them more accessible to everyone, and make people aware. Putting an ad in the programme is appealing to all those who go to games anyway!!! We need to attract people who aren't regulars. Don't suppose Radio Merseyside or City or any of the local papers reported the offer in great detail did they?

Back to the game, poor finishing, and poor final ball when we got into good positions. We never really looked like scoring, and 1 point from 6 against Crewe and Orient... not promotion play off form at all. Think we'll finish 8/9th - yet again.