In what is, on paper, the toughest looking game of the season so far, The Cobblers travel to second place Tranmere Rovers tomorrow as Stuart Gray returns to the scene of his first game in charge of the club. Back in January, Gray oversaw a 1-1 draw at Prenton Park and a similar result tomorrow would be a superb return.
The Cobblers welcome Joe Burnell back to the squad for the trip to Merseyside but the only change to the side that beat Huddersfield Town last weekend could be Ryan Gilligan coming in for Colin Larkin to add a bit more of a presence to the midfield.
Tranmere will give a late fitness test to goalkeeper Danny Coyne and goalkeeping coach John Achterberg is waiting in the wings should Coyne not make it. Calvin Zola is also a doubt with a hamstring problem while John Mullin is still recovering from an ankle operation.
THE STORY SO FAR…TRANMERE ROVERS IN 2007/08…
Tranmere are second in the table after a good start to the season and trail leaders Orient by just two points going into two home games in a week.
Rovers began the season as the first victims of the Leeds United backlash, losing out 2-1 at Prenton Park to Dennis Wise’s resurgent side. They bowed out of the Carling Cup to League Two Stockport County but recorded their first win of the season the following weekend as goals from Chris Greenacre and Steve Davies scored the goals to see off Gillingham at The Priestfield.
Brighton were then beaten by the same result as Tranmere got off the mark at home and then gained a last gasp draw at Yeovil thanks to an injury time equaliser from Davies, cancelling out Marcus Stewart’s opener.
Rovers were upset by Morecambe in the Johnstones Paint Trophy but the league form continued to gain momentum with a 1-0 win at Carlisle, Craig Curran with the goal.
A week later and another victory was forthcoming, this time 2-1 over Luton Town at home. Last weekend, Rovers claimed a point at Cheltenham Town to leave them in the top two going into the Cobblers clash.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS…
06/01/07: TRANMERE 1-1 COBBLERS
In Stuart Gray’s first game in charge, Scott McGleish gives us an 11th minute lead but John Mullin equalises with just three minutes to go.
16/09/06: COBBLERS 1-3 TRANMERE
Goals from Calvin Zola, Gareth Taylor and John Mullin give Tranmere the points at Sixfields. Scott McGleish grabs a late consolation but it’s not enough to stop Rovers forcing another home defeat on us at the start of last season.
21/04/03: TRANMERE 4-0 COBBLERS
In the game that confirmed our relegation back to the basement division, Tranmere hammer the poor Cobblers in a game that saw them score twice in injury time.
14/12/02: COBBLERS 0-4 TRANMERE
Simon Haworth grabs a brace and Ryan Taylor and Alex Hay one each in an easy away day for Rovers back in December 2002.
12/02/02: TRANMERE 2-0 COBBLERS
Second half strikes from Jason Price and Wayne Allison give Tranmere a comfortable victory.
13/10/01: COBBLERS 4-1 TRANMERE
Jamie Forrester and Richard Hope put the Cobblers in front before a wonder goal from Sean Flynn in first half stoppage time halves the deficit. But the Cobblers score twice in an excellent second half performance through Paul McGregor and Forrester again to gain a rare victory.
***See this weeks’ Golden Games for full details***
FOR THE RECORD: ROVERS v COBBLERS
GAMES PLAYED: 34
TRANMERE WINS: 13
DRAWS: 9
COBBLERS WINS: 12
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