As the final day of the League Two season beckons, Tranmere find themselves in the enviable position of sitting in the playoff positions. After Saturday, Rovers will only be too glad to hold a similar position.
Having seen their automatic promotion hopes go up in smoke last weekend with a 2-1 defeat at Forest Green, Keith Hill will be aiming to at least clinch the one point required for his side to compete in the post-season bonanza.
Since the injury to James Vaughan, Rovers have struggled to hit the right attacking note and the former Everton man remains absent for the weekend’s clash after his comeback from knee surgery.
Hill will be bitterly disappointed that his men didn’t pile the pressure on former club Bolton after they failed to clinch promotion last weekend at home to Exeter. Had Tranmere come out on the right side of the encounter with Forest Green, they would have found themselves in a position to go up automatically if results went in their favour,
Instead Tranmere find themselves needing just a single point although that only tells some of the story. With Colchester having secured survival, Tranmere now need to look to the game as more of a chance to boost confidence rather than secure a top seven finish.
With Hayden Mullins’ men languishing near the foot of the table. Tranmere know they have the chance to take on a side ‘on the beach’ and with it giving themselves a huge lift ahead of a pivotal playoff campaign.
Goals are of the essence and Paul Lewis looks set to miss out with a knee injury. This affords the chance for someone else to step up and make themselves a hero in the eyes of the Prenton Park faithful.
A home semi-final second leg is within range and should be a target. If Tranmere go into Saturday’s match solely looking for a point they may find themselves on the outside looking in come May 20th.
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