Boundary Blue previews the Tranmere game
And if it wasn't imperative that we win before, it is now. We sit in 7th on 52pts, Port Vale sit in 12th on 49pts. Looking above us we're 3pts from a play-off place. It really is that tight. Tranmere look to be our biggest threat with the 2 games they have in hand of us. And with them being just 2 pts behind a loss in this match cannot be contemplated.
Fans knew this for the Brighton game and turned out - I hope our 3-0 ar*e kicking in Bristol doesn't dissuade them into coming and cheering the Latics to victory in this. We do need them! The noise certainly helped lift the side against Brighton.
Fans knew this for the Brighton game and turned out - I hope our 3-0 ar*e kicking in Bristol doesn't dissuade them into coming and cheering the Latics to victory in this. We do need them! The noise certainly helped lift the side against Brighton.
Tranmere themselves know the importance of supporting fans. And for that
reason they have laid on 17, yes 17!!! free coaches to travel to Boundary Park. The match should be a cracker - especially if it is as action packed as our 2-2 at Prenton Park earlier this season (a game we should have won.)
reason they have laid on 17, yes 17!!! free coaches to travel to Boundary Park. The match should be a cracker - especially if it is as action packed as our 2-2 at Prenton Park earlier this season (a game we should have won.)
To the sides - The Latics have been coming up with good performances/results
and then bad ones. Consistency is proving difficult and the worry is that with big game after big game coming now, 2 defeats on the trot could send both confidence and the Latics spiralling down the league again, like it did in October. Fortunately for this match, we have home comforts and if we are going to make the play-offs we need to win every home game now till the end of the season (that would give us 21pts equalling 73pts - a few away points on to that and a play-off spot is ours.)
We are performing well at home and I don't see why we can't beat Tranmere,
Brentford, Colchester, Cardiff, Cambridge and QPR. The only one I would need
to think about is Stoke. Hopefully, when QPR arrive, their current bad run will mean we'll be in the chase and they'll be dreaming of summer holidays. But we'll wait and see. Let's cross the first bridge against Tranmere.
Brentford, Colchester, Cardiff, Cambridge and QPR. The only one I would need
to think about is Stoke. Hopefully, when QPR arrive, their current bad run will mean we'll be in the chase and they'll be dreaming of summer holidays. But we'll wait and see. Let's cross the first bridge against Tranmere.
The Latics have signed a few players in the last 24 hours. Impressive Matt
Appleby has signed permanently, whilst the Latics have taken on a French triallist (striker) and an as-yet unnamed Premiership defender. Who that is,
will come out later on Tuesday morning.
Appleby has signed permanently, whilst the Latics have taken on a French triallist (striker) and an as-yet unnamed Premiership defender. Who that is,
will come out later on Tuesday morning.
So what happened in Bristol? Dean Holden. A useless cretin and a dreadful
football player (how many times do I need to say this.) His free-kick after him being on the pitch for 60 seconds, cost us the 1st goal (he won't play for us again - Wadsworth has virtually said this.) Out of the window went the game plan and an uphill battle after that. Baudet was silly for his tackle which gave a penalty for 2-0 and got him sent off (needless) and the 3rd, well it was game over by then anyway. A bad day at the office - we all have them.
football player (how many times do I need to say this.) His free-kick after him being on the pitch for 60 seconds, cost us the 1st goal (he won't play for us again - Wadsworth has virtually said this.) Out of the window went the game plan and an uphill battle after that. Baudet was silly for his tackle which gave a penalty for 2-0 and got him sent off (needless) and the 3rd, well it was game over by then anyway. A bad day at the office - we all have them.
As for Tranmere, it is hoped that Tottenham ran them ragged. Plus with them
playing on Sunday and all the travelling, I'd like to think that will give us the edge. However, Paul Rideout is regaining fitness, Andy Parkinson for some reason plays well against us, Stuart Barlow would love to score on his return to Boundary Park and Jason Koumas - well, if you don't know of him, he is soon to be a fantastic Premiership player. And to make it worse, Simon Haworth may have signed for the visitors - giving them many striker options.
Tranmere have talent and how they aren't further up this league is anyone's
guess. Worryingly though, they meet us with these players raring to go - so
tonight sees both sides with no excuses. The best team will win. However, in the league we have not lost under Wadsworth at Boundary Park. In fact, we've lost only 2 at home all season. Baudet before his sending off in Bristol played superbly as he did vs Brighton. And with Duxbury now injured and Dean Holden hopefully on his way back to Bolton, £2m rated Christian Colluso might get his full home debut. That should make it all very interesting.
playing on Sunday and all the travelling, I'd like to think that will give us the edge. However, Paul Rideout is regaining fitness, Andy Parkinson for some reason plays well against us, Stuart Barlow would love to score on his return to Boundary Park and Jason Koumas - well, if you don't know of him, he is soon to be a fantastic Premiership player. And to make it worse, Simon Haworth may have signed for the visitors - giving them many striker options.
Tranmere have talent and how they aren't further up this league is anyone's
guess. Worryingly though, they meet us with these players raring to go - so
tonight sees both sides with no excuses. The best team will win. However, in the league we have not lost under Wadsworth at Boundary Park. In fact, we've lost only 2 at home all season. Baudet before his sending off in Bristol played superbly as he did vs Brighton. And with Duxbury now injured and Dean Holden hopefully on his way back to Bolton, £2m rated Christian Colluso might get his full home debut. That should make it all very interesting.
My heart says we can nick this vital, vital game - my head says pray for at least a point. I really don't know. Like I said against Brighton, if we play to our potential, we can match any team. We did vs Brighton and won. We didn't vs Bristol City and lost. But we're at home and we should have the edge over fitness. I'm going to give a SIN rating, but only go with it if you're daring!!! The price will be worth it if it comes up.
SIN 531 (The heart and my waters are doing the talking.)
SIN 531 (The heart and my waters are doing the talking.)