|
It's another big game for Rovers on Saturday, as they play Bradford the fourth time in 12 months this Saturday in Coca-Cola League One at the Bradford and Bingley Stadium (or Valley Parade).
Both teams will be keen to keep up pressure on Nottingham Forest at the top of League One, and continue the good starts they have made to the season, and will both be pushing for a win.
Bradford City Team Profile:
Formed: 1903
Ground: Valley Parade
Manager: Colin Todd
Nickname: The Bantams
Season Finish 2005/06: 11th (Coca-Cola League One)
Previous Meetings:
Last season, Bradford and Tranmere met three times, once in the first round proper of the F.A. Cup, and twice in Coca-Cola League One.
One the 9th September, at Prenton Park, Tranmere twice had to come from behind as they drew 2-2 with the Bantams, Delroy Facey scoring on his home debut, along with a Chris Greenacre goal.
2 months later, the two sides met again, this time at Valley Parade, and this time in the F.A. Cup. Rovers took the lead on 6 minutes through a Chris Greenacre strike, his first away from Prenton Park for Tranmere, before all the controversy started.
The Bradford equaliser was the problem. After three poor decisions by the officials, Lee Crooks carried the ball into the Rovers half and struck a shot from 35-yards, which hit the cross bar and bounced down around one yard infront of the goal line, yet the goal was given.
Then, Bradford scored a second, through Dean Windass from the penalty spot, after the home side had been awarded a very dubious looking penalty thanks to a challange by Ian Sharps on the goalscorer.
Then, three months later, on 28th January, once again at Valley Parade, the two sides played out a very dull 0-0 draw, which was exactly what Brian Little wanted before the game.
Vital Stats:
Tranmere have not won in seven games against Bradford City
The last five games between the two sides haev produced 18 goals, including nine in one game
Tranmere haven't won at Valley Parade since Novemeber 1997, when John Aldridge scored the winner
Bradford have won 23 out of 41 games against Tranmere at Valley Parade
Tranmere have lost all but one of their six previous away games on September 30th
The Form Book:
Bradford Last 5 Home Games: WWDDW
Tranmere Last 5 Away Games: LDWLW
Bradford have had an excellent start to the season, particually at Valley Parade. They ahve picked up 11 points from an available 15 at their home ground, with veteran striker Dean Windass scoring in four out of their five home games.
The Bantams shrugged off a disappointing opening day defeat at the City Ground to Nottingham Forest (1-0), winning two consecutive home games against Bristol City (2-1) and Gillingham (4-2), with Dean Windass scoring three goals in four days.
Two weeks after the Gillingham victory, Bradford returned to Yorkshire having been knocked out of the Carling Cup by Carlisle and having beaten Crewe Alexandra 3-0 at Greasty Road.
The Bantams drew with Rotherham 1-1, following it up with another 1-1 draw, again against Carlisle in their next home game just over two weeks later.
Then, in their most recent home game, when Rovers were winning at Northampton, Bradford were beating Port Vale 2-0, the only home game in which Dean Windass hasn't scored this season.
Away from home, Bradford have picked up a dissapointin seven points from an available 18, losing to Forest (1-0), Brentford (2-1) and Swansea (1-0), whilst beating Crewe (3-0), Cheltenham (2-1) and drawing 3-3 at Belle Vue against Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday.
Tranmere meanwhile have had a mixed start to the season. At home they have been brilliant, and away from Prenton Park, they have often been just as good, but sometimes been very poor.
Their first away game under Ronnie Moore saw them lose 1-0 against newly promoted Cheltenham Town, before they picked up their first away point of the season four days later, drawing 0-0 at Belle Vue with Doncaster.
This was followed up by Carling Cup misery to Hull City, as they lost 2-1 after extra-time, with Shane Sherriff scoring his first and Tranmere's first away goal of the season.
Four days later, Tranmere picked up their first away win of the season, defeating Chesterfield 2-0 at Saltergate, thanks to an Aaron Downes own goal and a Gareth Taylor lob.
Then they had a defeat sandwiched inbetween two wins, as they lost 2-1 at Rotherham, with Kevin Ellison scoring, before defeat Northampton four days later, 3-1 at Sixfields, thanks to goals from Zola, Taylor and Mullin.
At home, Tranmere have four iwns and two draws to their name, beating Oldham Athletic (1-0), Yeovil Town (2-1), Leyton Orient (3-0) and Bristol City (1-0), whilst earning draws against Nottingham Forest (0-0) and Huddersfield Town (2-2).
Double Hit:
Here is a new feature, where we introduce to players who have represented both Tranmere and the opposition in their career, as requested by readers of the website.
There are a number of players who have represented both Tranmere Rovers and Bradford City in their footballing careers.
One of these players is Simon Francis, who was on-loan at Tranmere for three months last season. The right-back, on-loan from Sheffield United, played 16 games for Tranmere, including one as substitute, his debut against Scunthorpe.
Simon started his career in Yorkshire with Bradford, where he came through the ranks as a junior. The potential star made 51 appearences for his club, of which 6 were as a substitute, scoring one goal, before making an illustrious £200,000 transfer to Sheffield United.
Other players who have represented both Tranmere and Bradford in the recent past include goalkeeper Russ Howarth, winger Nicky Summerbee and striker Delroy Facey.
Team News:
Tranmere have a number of injury worries ahead of Saturdays game. Although Danny Harrison and Jason McAteer are fit and ready to return, Gareth Taylor is out of the game with a fractured jaw, whilst Ronnie Moore has big doubts over Chris McCready and Calvin Zola. Paul McLaren is also suspended for the game, which could mean a starting place for Steven Jennings.
Jones' Prediction: Bradford City 1-1 Tranmere Rovers