My View

Last updated : 16 May 2005 By Matthew Jones
Tomorrow night, I definatly think we can win if we play the correct tactics and team. Personally, I think a 2-0 dissadvantage is not really too much over 90 minutes. After all, this season we have netted four against both Sheffield Wednesday and Bradford City at Home, and we are well capable of doing the same again, if we pick the correct team. We also have to remeber that in years gone by Tranmere have scored four goals in one half against Southampton and three in one half against Leeds, both of the Premiership at the time of playing. We have a whole 90 minutes tomorrow evening, two goals more than Hartlepool forces extra time. This is definatly not impossible. They scored two against us in 90 minutes, we can do the same tomorrow.

I'd like to see Little pick a much different team and different formation to that played last Friday though. Here is the team and the reasons for it:

Acherberg in goal as obvious choice

Then an flat back four of (left to right) Roberts, Sharps, Jackson and Taylor. Playing Roberts in his rightful position of Left-Back.

Midfield is where I'd like to see the changes made, playing Hume on the left side in for Theo Whitmore. Hume can provide some fantastic crosses from the wings, demonstrated last year in the F.A. Cup Quater Final against Millwall when he crossed for Gary Jones to nod in. Then Paul Hall in his natural position on the right with Mark Rankine in the midfield with either Captain Jason McAtear or youngster Steven Jennings. Jennings has not had his chance at first-team level yet, but it will come I'm sure. he is a great passer of the ball and has a hell of a shot on him too. So he could score a stinger or split the defence open with his passing, which is a huge talent upfront.

Then in attack, I'd have two players who didn't start on Friday night. Eugene Dadi and Chris Dagnall. Dadi came on at The Vic on Friday night with 12 minutes remaining and had two oppertunity's to score. He will add some height to an otherwise small team on Tuesday if he starts and has scored nearly all his goals since Christmas after he got some confidence after a very well taken goal against Hull in December. He can score and can win Tranmere free kicks which we might well need. Chris Dagnall is like Steven Jennings, he has not had much of a chance at first team level. But this season, when given the chance, he has often been the difference for Rovers. Scoring home and away against Hartlepool this season in the League and bagging a few others along the way. He is quick and a very good finisher, often takes his chances. He also has the best goals to minute ratio for Tranmere this season. Another reason to start him.

So there is my team and my view on the game. Talk about it on the message board and get behind the boys on Tuesday night.