SHRIMPERS
Our regular readers were two days ahead of the rest, we're flattered that Team Talk should even nick our headline, but, of course, Anthony Grant will start his two match ban for reaching 10 yellow cards in an incredible 20 matches. (It's here if you missed it: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/loadnews.asp?cid=TMNW&id=473449.)
Possible Southend United: Mildenhall, Francis, Morrison, Barrett, Herd, Laurent, McCormack, Christophe, Moussa, Barnard, Freedman.
Subs: Joyce or Bentley, O'Keefe, Scannell, Walker, Asante.
OPPOSITION
Defender Ian Goodison left the field with a back injury during last weekend's 2-1 defeat at the Borient and is a doubt.
Shaleum Logan (groin injury) and Gareth Edds (chickenpox) are expected to miss out again.
In the meantime Rovers caretaker manager Les Parry is hoping he may be able to bring at least one loanee in to start against Southend.
Parry spoke to the Tranmere official site: "I have gone ahead and made inquiries about two or three players. If the clubs come back to me and say they are willing to let those players come here, then I will ask the chairman to fund it."
What a difference a year makes
Not a huge difference in just over 12 months for the Blues since we last played in Birkenhead but look at poor Rovers, a warning for all those who ever believe Tilly should go.
November 14 2008
9 Southend United 15 5 2 1 12 7 2 2 3 13 17 7 4 4 25 24 25 +1 10 Hartlepool United 15 4 2 1 20 13 3 0 5 6 9 7 2 6 26 22 23 +4 11 Tranmere Rovers 15 4 0 3 13 9 3 2 3 9 11 7 2 6 22 20 23 +2 12 14 4 0 3 15 12 2 3 2 8 9 6 3 5 23 21 21 +2
November 23 2009
11 | Southend United | 17 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 11 | 12 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 22 | 20 | 23 | +2 |
21 | Stockport County | 17 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 20 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 3 | 5 | 9 | 15 | 30 | 14 | -15 | ||||
22 | Southampton (-10) | 17 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 16 | 12 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 12 | 11 | 5 | 8 | 4 | 28 | 23 | 13 | +5 | ||||
23 | Wycombe Wanderers | 17 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 10 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 11 | 21 | 2 | 5 | 10 | 17 | 31 | 11 | -14 | ||||
24 | Tranmere Rovers | 17 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 20 | 3 | 1 | 13 | 13 | 37 | 10 | -24 |
PREVIOUSLY
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GROUND
During 1994-95 the Club replaced three sides of
The ground though is dominated by the Kop Stand at one end of the stadium. This stand that has a capacity of around 5,500, dwarfs the rest of the ground and replaced a former open terrace. After a long campaign by Tranmere fans, the large Kop End is now purely for home fans.
The John King Stand (formerly the Borough Road Stand), is a small covered stand that runs the entire length of the pitch.
Away fans are housed in the opposite end, the affectionately named Cowshed. However, you will be relieved that the only connection with a real cowshed is the name, as the fairly new covered, all seated stand, has good facilities and unhindered views of the playing action. It can hold up to 2,500 fans.
(Thanks to www.footballgroundguide.co.uk for the above)
WEATHER
Not surprisingly, heavy rain is forecast during the day, so there could be more route one stuff than usual from both sides.
FIXTURES
Tuesday, November 24th; (all kick-offs 19.45): Charlton v Bristol Rovers, Colchester v Stockport, Exeter v Millwall, Gillingham v Yeovil, Hartlepool v Southampton, Leeds United v Leyton Orient, MK Dons v Carlisle, Norwich v Brighton, Swindon v Huddersfield, Tranmere v Southend, Walsall v Oldham, Wycombe v Brentford.
REF
The man in the middle is, er, David Webb, but this one is from
He gives an interview here: www.refworld.com/referee/186/1/david-webb
BET
To Win:
Tranmere - 17/10, Draw - 12/5, Southend - 13/8.
For all the footy odds go here: www.oddschecker.com/football/english/league-one
TRANSPORT
By Coach go here: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/loadfeat.asp?cid=EDW3&id=450306
By Car go here: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/loadfeat.asp?cid=EDW7&id=450456
By Train go here: http://www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/loadfeat.asp?cid=EDW5&id=450302
PUB AND PIES
As it's a midweek game and most will be going by the coaches, head for the Mersey Clipper next to the ground, for full info go here:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/loadfeat.asp?cid=EDW8&id=473756The club was founded by a merger of two local cricket clubs in 1884, before changing its name from
Though they played in blue shirts and white shorts for much of their existence, the club's traditional home kit is now regarded as white shirt, shorts and socks, with blue trim.
The name Tranmere refers to a district in the south of Birkenhead, on the eastern side of the
The club has faced years of strong competition for supporters from the two much larger local clubs,
John Aldridge, the former
Between 1991 and 2001 they were in the second tier of English football, reaching the play-offs three times and the League Cup final once before being relegated.
Former
As of the 1st May 2009 Tranmere were in 7th place, 2 points behind Scunthorpe United in 6th place with both teams only having one league game remaining. This game was between the two sides at
Ronnie Moore was sacked by Tranmere on the 5th June 2009. In an official statement, the club said: "Attendances have dropped by more than 19 per cent during the last three years and the club felt that now is the right time to move forward in a new direction."
John Barnes was officially named as manager of Tranmere Rovers on 15 June 2009, with Jason McAter assisting him, after Barnes himself had confirmed the appointment a day earlier.
Tranmere suffered a miserable start to the season, and Barnes' reign was under pressure almost immediately. A run of six successive losses was halted by a draw with Colchester United and then a win over Wycombe Wanderers. Any hopes of a revival were immediately dashed by a comprehensive 5-0 loss to Milwall, Tranmere's worst defeat in six years, giving the team the worst goal difference of any side in the English leagues and fuelling talk of relegation even at this early stage in the season.
Both Barnes and McAteer were sacked by the board on 9 October 2009. Chairman Peter Johnson told the club website: "Unfortunately results have not gone our way this season and we are at the wrong end of the table. We must now focus on finding the best possible candidate." Physiotherapist Les Parry was placed in temporary charge, assisted by reserve boss Shaun Garnett. Following a 2-1 defeat at Leyton Orient Tranmere hit the bottom of League One on 21 November 2009.
For a more comprehensive history of the Rovers, go here; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tranmere_Rovers_F.C.)