Tranmere Rovers vs. Brighton and Hove Albion match preview

Last updated : 24 August 2007 By Matthew Jones
Moore looking to build on Gillingham win
This week see's the return of the Tranmere Rovers Mad match preview, as Tranmere take on Brighton and Hove Albion in their second home game of the new 2007/08 season.

Both sides will be looking to push on from their starts to the season, which have seen them each pick up three points as they push for a play-off place come May.


Brighton and Hove Albion team profile:

Formed: 1901

Ground: The Withdean Stadium

Manager: Dean Wilkins

Nickname: The Seagulls

Season Finish 2006/07: 18th (Coca-Cola League One)

Previous Meetings:

Last season, Tranmere earned themselves six points against Brighton as they completed the double against the South Coast side.

At the Withdean Stadium in November, Tranmere came back to the Wirral with the three points after a highly commendable 1-0 victory against the Seagulls.

The only game in this match was scored by Chris Greenacre in the first half as he capitalised on a missed header by the defender from John Thompson's long ball before netting past the goalkeeper.

Back at Prenton Park on Easter Monday in April, Tranmere again won but this time in somewhat lucky fashion and mainly thanks to youngster Craig Curran.

The young striker burst on to the seen as he netted just 20 seconds after coming on in what was his home debut in the 75-minute, sliding in at the far post to equalise for Rovers after Ian Goodison had scored an own goal in the 11th minute. Well into injury time, Chris Greenacre then got the winner for Rovers from the penalty spot after he had been brought down on the corner of the box.

Vital Stats:

Last season was the first time Tranmere had completed the double over Brighton since the 1973/74 season

Rovers are four matches unbeaten against the Seagulls at Prenton Park (two wins and two draws)

In 30 meetings, the two sides have only twice served up a 0-0 draw

Tranmere have won just seven out of 15 home games against Brighton

Tranmere have scored 26 goals in 15 home games against The Seagulls

On This Day:

2001 - Tranmere draw 0-0 with Brighton and Hove Albion in Division 1

1992 - Rovers are hammered 4-0 by Blackpool at Bloomfield Road in the League Cup and go out of the competition 4-3 on aggregate

1973 - Tranmere defeat Chester City 3-1 at the Deva Stadium in the League Cup.  Rovers would go on to beat Arsenal 1-0 later on the in the competition and remain the only team to have a 100% record over the Gunners.


The Form Book:

Tranmere first 3 matches: LLW
Brighton first 3 matches: LLW

Brighton's start to the season has not been diss-similar to that of Tranmere, as they too have lost two and won one of their opening three games.

On the opening day of the season, The Seagulls made the long trip to Gresty Road where they took on Crewe Alexandra.

Despite taking a 14th minute lead through young striker Cox, Brighton were to go on to lose the game as first Roberts equalised from the penalty spot in the 22nd minute before the same man got the winner just 11 minutes from time.

In Carling Cup First Round action four days later, Brighton were again on the road as they travelled to Wales to take on Championship side Cardiff City. Again, despite a good display, Brighton lost the match 1-0 after extra-time thanks to a strike from Roger Johnson in the 110th minute.

However Brighton got off the mark last weekend with a good 2-1 home victory over Northampton Town in League One. It took Brighton just two-minutes to take the lead as Dean Hammond netted from the penalty spot before in form striker Andy Kirk equalised for The Cobblers on 22 minutes. However, Revel scored a 66th minute winner for Brighton at the Withdean as they won the game 2-1.

Meanwhile, it has been an interesting start to the season for Tranmere Rovers, as despite putting in good displays in their opening games, they lost both to Leeds United and Stockport County.

At Prenton Park on the opening day of the season, Rovers put in an excellent first half display and in fact lead 1-0 at the break thanks to a Chris Greenacre goal. However, after the 15-minute break, Leeds came out and put in a much better display. Two defensive slip ups from Tranmere twice allowed the Yorkshire side in as Dennis Wise's men won the game 2-1.

Four days later, Tranmere took on Stockport County at Edgely Park in the Carling Cup First Round, and the game turned out to be very similar to the Leeds one.

In spells, Tranmere completely dominated the game but once again they lacked the killer instinct to win the match, with a Steve Davies shot coming back off the post the closest they came to scoring in the match.

Five minutes from time, Stockport grabbed a late winner thanks to a strike from Matty McNeil who booked Stockport a second round clash with Charlton Athletic at the Valley.

Rovers, like Brighton, got their first points on the board in the next game however, as they picked up a magnificent 2-0 victory away at the Priestfield Stadium against Gillingham. In a game which Rovers dominated, Chris Greenacre and Steve Davies got goals for Rovers in either half as they came away 2-0 winners.

Double Hit:

Tranmere hero Ian Muir is one player who has represented both Brighton and Hove Albion and Tranmere Rovers.

Muir started his career at Queens Park Rangers where he scored two goals in two games before moving to Birmingham on a free transfer in 1983. At Birmingham, striker Muir managed just two goal-less appearances before moving on to Brighton, again on a free transfer. Here, Muir was no more successful, not managing a goal in four appearances before moving on to Swindon Town on a months loan in January 1985. Here Muir made two appearances and again failed to score.

However, a move to Tranmere Rovers in January 1985 was the place to kick-start his career. Moving on a free-transfer, Muir made 393 appearances for Tranmere in ten years at the club and netted a brilliant 180 goals. When he left the club in 1995, Muir left having helped Tranmere steam up the leagues from League Two as it is now to on the brink of the Premiership. His 180 goals is still a club record.

Injury meant Muir's last few years at Tranmere saw few appearances and in June 1995, Muir moved back to Birmingham, aged 32, for a fee of £125,000. However, injury again troubled Muir and in the next five years he made just 27 appearances for Birmingham, Darlington and Nuneaton, scoring four goals in the process before retiring, aged 37, in 2000.


One to watch: Dean Cox

20-year old Dean Cox is a quick, energetic midfielder for Brighton and Hove Albion and he wears their number seven shirt.

First signing professional in July 2004, it was the 2006/07 season when Cox really first on to the seen as he helped Brighton to a mid-table finish in League One after they had been relegated from the Coca-Cola Championship the previous season.

After making his debut in the 2006/07 season against Plymouth in the league, Cox in fact made 50 appearances for the Seagulls in all competitions last year, netting ten goals from midfield in the process. It would have been more however had it not been for his disciplinary record, Cox picking up nine yellow cards as well as a sending off on the opening day of the season at Rotherham.

His pace and general wing play is tricky for any defender and he is sure to cause Tranmere problems on Saturday.

Team News:

Tranmere have a few injury niggles after Robbie Stockdale, Chris Shuker and Chris Greenacre all picked up knocks at Gillingham. Whilst Stockdale and Greenacre should be ok to play, Shuker only returned to training on Thursday with a groin strain and is doubtful for the match, meaning Mike Jones could play.

Jones' Prediction: Tranmere Rovers 3-1 Brighton and Hove Albion