Over the final four weekends of the season, Tranmere Rovers Mad will analyse the play-off race, as the serge for a place in the Top 6 hots up in League One.
Every week, we will publish the latest article in a series building up to May 3rd, when the four teams in the play-offs will finally be confirmed after eight months and 46 games of scrapping it out in Coca-Cola League One.
Realistically, there are four teams left in the play-off race at the time of writing. Leeds United are currently best placed in 6th spot, whilst Tranmere Rovers, Brighton and Hove Albion and Walsall are also in hot persute.
Ronnie Moore, along with all the Tranmere Rovers players, staff and fans, will be hoping that for just the second time since returning to Coca-Cola League One for the 2001/02 season, the Wirral club can finish in the Top Six in the division.
The last time, and indeed the only time this decade, that Tranmere have managed to finish in a play-off position was during the 2004/05 season, when Brian Little managed a Rovers side, including the likes of Iain Hume, Ryan Taylor, Paul Hall and Eugene Dadi, to the third place in League One. However, play-off heart ache followed, as Tranmere were to lose their semi-final tie against Hartlepool United on penalties, after each team had won their home leg 2-0.
Tranmere have of course had a number of close shaves since returning to the division, none more so than in the 2002/03 season, when Tranmere, managed by local legend Ray Mathias, finished in seventh place in the division, despite having an increadible total of 80 points, still a club record, after finishing the season on a fifteen game unbeaten run. Needless to say, the total of 80 points is the highest a team has ever achieved and finished outside the play-offs, as Rovers missed out on sixth placed Cardiff by one point.
This season though could be so much different, as Tranmere have the chance to sneak into the play-offs through the back door, ensuring that it is not them this time that just miss out.
Of course, Ronnie Moore's side will have to do it the hard way if they are to grab sixth place from the likes of Leeds, Walsall and Brighton. Of those three teams, Leeds and Walsall both have five games remaining this season, whilst Tranmere have just four. It is therefore likely that Tranmere will need to pick up at least ten points out of the twelve available, leaving them on a total of 72 points, if they are to have any hope of finishing in sixth spot. Leeds United meanwhile are two points ahead of Tranmere, with 64 points, and they are the team who currently occupy sixth spot, so it is they whom Tranmere need to beat.
All the fun of the fair starts this Saturday, when all four of the teams looking to grab sixth spot are in action, although none of the teams have fixtures which one would class as "easy games".
Starting with Tranmere Rovers, and the mighty Whites are at home to Nottingham Forest, who comfortably occupy a play-off place at this stage of the season.
Since Forest's relegation to League One, Tranmere have played five games against the former European Champions and failed to win any of their games, picking up just two draws in the process. However, with Tranmere desperate for a win and likely to have great vocal support at Prenton Park, they could just pull a result out of the bag as they go all out for the win.
Prediction: Tranmere to sneak a 1-0 home win
Sixth placed Leeds United have a horrible home game against promotion chasing Carlisle United. The Blue's lie second in league one, five points clear of fifth placed Doncaster Rovers, but they will be desperate to at least pick up a point at Elland Road as they look to cement their place in the top two. When the two sides met earlier in the season, Carlisle continued their fine home form with an impressive 3-1 win over the former Champions of England, however, Leeds have certainly picked up their form of late and this will not be an easy fixture for either side.
Prediction: Leeds United 1-1 Carlisle United
On the same day, Walsall, who beat Tranmere Rovers 2-1 in their last match, face a tough away test at Cheltenham Town. Cheltenham have a reasonable home record this season, having picked up wins against against the likes of Leyton Orient, Carlisle and Brighton, as well as recording a league double over Leeds United.
The Robins however are still fighting relegation and they will see this game as one where they must pick up points as they look to extend the four point gap between themselves and the bottom four. With Walsall's poor form on the road recently, this is also a game that Cheltenham might hold high hopes of winning.
Prediction: Cheltenham Town 2-1 Walsall
The fourth team chasing that sixth play off spot is Brighton and Hove Albion, and they take on cash strapped Luton Town at Kenilworth Road. Luton have seriously struggled for both form and cash this season, with administration ensuring they now lie bottom of the table, eleven points away from safety. Indeed, defeat for Luton this weekend, or simply a win for either Crewe or Gillingham will relegate the Hatters, who will be desperate for a result this weekend. However, Brighton too are searching for points and they will not lie down easily.
Prediction: Luton Town 0-1 Brighton and Hove Albion
Following the four midweek fixtures, Walsall and Leeds play their games in hand, meaning they will have played the same amount of games as Tranmere and Brighton. Following these, we will have a much better idea of how the table will pan out come May 3rd, with all the teams having played 43 games.
In what is expected to be a highly charged a fiesty local derby, Huddersfield Town host Leeds United at the Galpharm Stadium. Although it could be argued that Huddersfield have nothing to play for, as they will be safe from relegation but too far off the play-offs in mid-table in League One, the club and fans will still, like every other team has been this season, desperate for a win over Leeds. However, with the added spice of this match being a local derby, both teams will be pushing for a win to claim Yorkshire bragging rights whilst Gary McAllister's Leeds will be pushing for a win as they look to cement their place in the top six.
Prediction: Huddersfield Town 2-2 Leeds United
On the same day, Walsall are at home to Bristol Rovers. Despite their impressive cup run this season, Rovers have struggled in their first season after promotion to League One, and at the time of writing they lie seventeenth in the table, although they do have plenty of games in hand on the teams around them.
The Gas have picked up some handy away wins this season though, including a 2-0 away win against Tranmere Rovers and a 1-0 win at Millwall. In all reality though, away wins have been few and far between, meaning Walsall, especially as promotion hopefuls, really should be expecting to win this game.
Prediction: Walsall 2-0 Bristol Rovers
Following these games then, the league table would look like this:
6th: Leeds United with 66 points from 43 games
7th: Tranmere Rovers with 65 from 43
8th: Walsall with 63 from 43
9th: Brighton and Hove Albion: 63 from 43
Lets hope that results go the way of Tranmere Rovers over the next few games, and check back next week for another installment in the Play Off Race 2008.
Every week, we will publish the latest article in a series building up to May 3rd, when the four teams in the play-offs will finally be confirmed after eight months and 46 games of scrapping it out in Coca-Cola League One.
Realistically, there are four teams left in the play-off race at the time of writing. Leeds United are currently best placed in 6th spot, whilst Tranmere Rovers, Brighton and Hove Albion and Walsall are also in hot persute.
Ronnie Moore, along with all the Tranmere Rovers players, staff and fans, will be hoping that for just the second time since returning to Coca-Cola League One for the 2001/02 season, the Wirral club can finish in the Top Six in the division.
The last time, and indeed the only time this decade, that Tranmere have managed to finish in a play-off position was during the 2004/05 season, when Brian Little managed a Rovers side, including the likes of Iain Hume, Ryan Taylor, Paul Hall and Eugene Dadi, to the third place in League One. However, play-off heart ache followed, as Tranmere were to lose their semi-final tie against Hartlepool United on penalties, after each team had won their home leg 2-0.
Tranmere have of course had a number of close shaves since returning to the division, none more so than in the 2002/03 season, when Tranmere, managed by local legend Ray Mathias, finished in seventh place in the division, despite having an increadible total of 80 points, still a club record, after finishing the season on a fifteen game unbeaten run. Needless to say, the total of 80 points is the highest a team has ever achieved and finished outside the play-offs, as Rovers missed out on sixth placed Cardiff by one point.
This season though could be so much different, as Tranmere have the chance to sneak into the play-offs through the back door, ensuring that it is not them this time that just miss out.
Of course, Ronnie Moore's side will have to do it the hard way if they are to grab sixth place from the likes of Leeds, Walsall and Brighton. Of those three teams, Leeds and Walsall both have five games remaining this season, whilst Tranmere have just four. It is therefore likely that Tranmere will need to pick up at least ten points out of the twelve available, leaving them on a total of 72 points, if they are to have any hope of finishing in sixth spot. Leeds United meanwhile are two points ahead of Tranmere, with 64 points, and they are the team who currently occupy sixth spot, so it is they whom Tranmere need to beat.
All the fun of the fair starts this Saturday, when all four of the teams looking to grab sixth spot are in action, although none of the teams have fixtures which one would class as "easy games".
Starting with Tranmere Rovers, and the mighty Whites are at home to Nottingham Forest, who comfortably occupy a play-off place at this stage of the season.
Since Forest's relegation to League One, Tranmere have played five games against the former European Champions and failed to win any of their games, picking up just two draws in the process. However, with Tranmere desperate for a win and likely to have great vocal support at Prenton Park, they could just pull a result out of the bag as they go all out for the win.
Prediction: Tranmere to sneak a 1-0 home win
Sixth placed Leeds United have a horrible home game against promotion chasing Carlisle United. The Blue's lie second in league one, five points clear of fifth placed Doncaster Rovers, but they will be desperate to at least pick up a point at Elland Road as they look to cement their place in the top two. When the two sides met earlier in the season, Carlisle continued their fine home form with an impressive 3-1 win over the former Champions of England, however, Leeds have certainly picked up their form of late and this will not be an easy fixture for either side.
Prediction: Leeds United 1-1 Carlisle United
On the same day, Walsall, who beat Tranmere Rovers 2-1 in their last match, face a tough away test at Cheltenham Town. Cheltenham have a reasonable home record this season, having picked up wins against against the likes of Leyton Orient, Carlisle and Brighton, as well as recording a league double over Leeds United.
The Robins however are still fighting relegation and they will see this game as one where they must pick up points as they look to extend the four point gap between themselves and the bottom four. With Walsall's poor form on the road recently, this is also a game that Cheltenham might hold high hopes of winning.
Prediction: Cheltenham Town 2-1 Walsall
The fourth team chasing that sixth play off spot is Brighton and Hove Albion, and they take on cash strapped Luton Town at Kenilworth Road. Luton have seriously struggled for both form and cash this season, with administration ensuring they now lie bottom of the table, eleven points away from safety. Indeed, defeat for Luton this weekend, or simply a win for either Crewe or Gillingham will relegate the Hatters, who will be desperate for a result this weekend. However, Brighton too are searching for points and they will not lie down easily.
Prediction: Luton Town 0-1 Brighton and Hove Albion
Following the four midweek fixtures, Walsall and Leeds play their games in hand, meaning they will have played the same amount of games as Tranmere and Brighton. Following these, we will have a much better idea of how the table will pan out come May 3rd, with all the teams having played 43 games.
In what is expected to be a highly charged a fiesty local derby, Huddersfield Town host Leeds United at the Galpharm Stadium. Although it could be argued that Huddersfield have nothing to play for, as they will be safe from relegation but too far off the play-offs in mid-table in League One, the club and fans will still, like every other team has been this season, desperate for a win over Leeds. However, with the added spice of this match being a local derby, both teams will be pushing for a win to claim Yorkshire bragging rights whilst Gary McAllister's Leeds will be pushing for a win as they look to cement their place in the top six.
Prediction: Huddersfield Town 2-2 Leeds United
On the same day, Walsall are at home to Bristol Rovers. Despite their impressive cup run this season, Rovers have struggled in their first season after promotion to League One, and at the time of writing they lie seventeenth in the table, although they do have plenty of games in hand on the teams around them.
The Gas have picked up some handy away wins this season though, including a 2-0 away win against Tranmere Rovers and a 1-0 win at Millwall. In all reality though, away wins have been few and far between, meaning Walsall, especially as promotion hopefuls, really should be expecting to win this game.
Prediction: Walsall 2-0 Bristol Rovers
Following these games then, the league table would look like this:
6th: Leeds United with 66 points from 43 games
7th: Tranmere Rovers with 65 from 43
8th: Walsall with 63 from 43
9th: Brighton and Hove Albion: 63 from 43
Lets hope that results go the way of Tranmere Rovers over the next few games, and check back next week for another installment in the Play Off Race 2008.