The opponent: Tranmere Rovers
I shall start proceedings by wishing everyone on the TEF a very Happy Christmas and a great 2013. Much like the games over the next couple of weeks, the matchday threads will be coming thick and fast, (I can only apologise in advance), but personally this should give me some much needed respite from the kids arguing, unwanted in-laws ruining my morning and iPhone’s flying around. Talking of Apple, Mrs Rosso wanted an iPad for Christmas, so I have gone out of my way and purchased a pack of ten from Boots, and they are “enriched with cucumber and tea tree oils”. Apparently they take all the wrinkles out around aged eyes, I must admit, I’m amazed how these little eye pad things can do the job of a box of Polyfilla.
So, the last game before Christmas is upon us and it all feels a little bit odd with it being on a Friday night, although looking at the ghastly weather forecast for Saturday perhaps its not such a bad thing after all, as there is no way I am trouncing the bad streets of Swindon Town Centre looking for the cheapest gift packs of Nivea and Lynx in the pouring rain. Only 5 points separate us from today’s opposition, by the final whistle tonight that could well be 2 points. Ronnie Moore’s Tranmere Rovers got off to a flyer this season, their first defeat in the league didn’t come about until October 20th, losing 3-1 away to a resurgent Bournemouth.
Tranmere Rovers, based in Birkenhead were formed as Belmont Football Club in 1884. An unrelated, disbanded side had played under the name Tranmere Rovers Cricket Club (Association football section in 1881–82 and on 16 September 1885, before their second season began, Belmont F.C. adopted the name Tranmere Rovers. Probably the most famous footballer to ever come from Tranmere would be Dixie Dean, who made his debut in 1924 aged 16. He played 30 games for Rovers, scoring 27 goals, before being transferred to nearby Everton for £3,000. In the 1927–28 season, Dean scored a record 60 League goals for Everton. Just to think what Deans value in today’s over inflated transfer market may be makes the mind boggle.
A few notable people hail from the ship building town of Birkenhead. Out of the 85’000 residents, Comedian and cross dresser, Paul O’Grady, Southampton manager Nigel Adkins, ex Spice Boy, Jason McAteer and Rugby Unions Matt Dawson are all lucky enough to consider Birkenhead as their place of birth.
What are they saying about us? – Censorship of the highest order! The main Tranmere forum does not let you view posts and when I tried to register it tells me that registration is disabled! So instead of enjoying the normal pre match bullshit from the opposition I made my way to The Wirral News, who reports......
“Tranmere Rovers will be stepping into the midst of a family squabble when they take on Swindon Town on Friday night.”
http://www.wirralnews.co.uk/tranmere-rovers-fc/tranmere-rovers-fc-news/2012/12/20/swindon-town-s-fiery-manager-paolo-di-canio-dividing-opinions-at-the-county-ground-club-80491-32462696/Tranmere Rovers Last 6 – WLDDDD (Currently sat 1st on 41 points)
The Threat – Young Welsh striker Jake Cassidy leads the way for Tranmere with 11 goals so far this season. Experienced midfielder, Andy Robinson has also chipped in with 8 and the wonderfully named Jean Louis Akpa Akpro has 7.
Head To Head - In all League, FA Cup and Football League competitions, we have faced Tranmere Rovers on 62 occasions, winning 25, drawing 16 and losing 21 times
The irrelevant stats – Tranmere’s away form is pretty decent. They have picked up 22 of their 41 points on their travels this season, winning 6, drawing 4 and picking up just 1 defeat. They have managed to keep 6 clean sheets and have scored 18 goals, whilst only conceding 8. We will need to be on our guard towards the end of the game with over 30% of Rovers goals come in the last 15 minutes.
The Odds – Swindon 19/20 Draw 23/10 Tranmere 3/1 (Ladbrokes.Com) Looks pretty decent odds for the League 1 leaders it must be said. In form Raffa De Vita is a best priced 15/2 with Bet 365, as is Tranmere leading scorer Jake Cassidy. Think I could be tempted to have a few quid on Joe Devera for the 1st goal as he is generally 40/1 with most outlets, now that would be a Christmas bonus! If anyone fancies a random bet, Half Time Tranmere/Full Time Swindon is at 30/1 with Bet Victor.
Sid Says – I think he thought I was on a wind up when I asked him for his much respected prediction. After showing him a copy of today’s Independent, he came up with a pleasing 2-0 home victory.
The Prediction – I’m sticking by my recent mantra. Someone is going to get a true thumping sooner or later and I think tonight could well be the night. I am going for a massive 4-0 home win, with goals from Devera, De Vita, Martin and Williams in front of 8’069 (298 from The Wirral)
And Finally – Birkenhead Park was designed by Joseph Paxton and opened on 5 April 1847. It is generally acknowledged as the first publicly funded civic park in Britain. It is widely accepted that, after visiting the park in 1850, American landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted incorporated many of the features he observed into his design for New York’s Central Park!
