Rotherham United vs. Tranmere Rovers match preview

Last updated : 10 September 2006 By Matthew Jones
Ronnie Moore returns to his old hunting ground, Rotherham, where he is still loved for what he did for the club as a manager
Tranmere Rovers will travel to Yorkshire for the third time this season on Tuesday as they face relegation-threatened Rotherham United at Millmoor.

Having already played Yorkshire sides Doncaster and Hull, Rovers will be looking for their first win over Yorkshire rivals away from home since they defeated Scunthorpe United in November of last year.

The match sees Ronnie Moore return to his old club where he had so much success in the late 90's and early 2000's, gaining two successive promotions with Rotherham to take them from what is now League Two up to the Championship.

Rotherham United team profile:

Formed: 1870

Ground: Millmoor

Manager: Allan Knill

Nickname: The Millers

Season Finish 2005/06: 20th (Coca-Cola League One)


Previous Meetings:

Rotherham and Tranmere of course met twice in League One last season, with the home side winning on each occassion.

At Prenton Park on 2nd January, on the back of a 2-0 win at Port Vale, Tranmere defeated Rotherham 3-2, thanks to goals from Greenacre in the first half, Zola and then a rare Danny Harrison goal (his second in two games) in the second half clinched Rovers the win after trailing 1-0.

Then four months later at Millmoor in April, Rovers were defeated 2-0, somewhat cruelly, with Steve Wilson making a fantastic penalty save before Barker and Shaw won the game for the Millers.

Vital Stats:

Rovers start to this season is their best points wise ever (16 out of 21), whilst it is their best start to a season since the 1935/36 season

In 61 meetings, the two teams have only twice met in September

Tranmere haven't won at Rotherham since 16th October 1976

Rovers have only scored one goal at Millmoor in 28 years

Tranmere have drawn four of their last five games on September 12th


The Form Book:

Rotherham First Three Home Games: LWL
Tranmere First Three Away Games: LDW

Rotherham's home form this season has been patchy, as they have won just one out of three home games in the league, beating Scunthorpe 2-1, whilst losing to Brighton and Hove Albion 1-0 and Northampton Town 2-1.

Including the League Cup, Rotherham have won two home games, as they defeated John Sherridan's Oldham Athletic 3-1, with former Rovers player Ian Sharps amongst the scorers.

Tranmere are now beginning to pick up points away from home this season, and are beginning to pick up points overall, with four consecutive wins now to their name.

After losing 1-0 to Cheltenham in their first away game, Rovers went on to draw 0-0 with one of the promotion favourites Doncaster Rovers four days later, before picking up their first away win of the season at Chesterfield two weeks later, winning 2-0 thanks to an own goal and a sweet lob by Gareth Taylor.

Rovers did however lose to Championship side Hull City in the League Cup away from home (at the KC Stadium). After taking the lead through Shane Sherriff in the first half, Hull struck back with goals by Ben Burgess and then an extra-time winner from Daryll Duffy, all of 30-yards away from Gavin Ward's goal.

Team News:

Rovers are likely to still be without Danny Harrison and Calvin Zola, who are recovering from injuries sustained in training a few weeks ago. Otherwise, Rovers are once again likely to remain unchanged, for the fifth match running.

Lining up against Rovers meanwhile, could be two familiar faces. Following their moves to Yorkshire in the summer, former Rovers players Ian Sharps and Delroy Facey (the man who secured Tranmere's place in League One last season) are set to line up against their former clubs.

Jones' Prediction: Rotherham United 0-1 Tranmere Rovers