In recent times there have been worries for Tranmere supporters as The Whites had a very poor start to their League Two campaign, following on from a season where they failed to finish inside the Play-offs.
However, the last two games have brought two wins on the road and this has put the supporters in much better spirits. Rovers are back at Prenton Park this weekend where they will come up against high-flying Barrow who find themselves positioned fourth in the L2 table.
Ahead of the game, I spoke to @Danielgamesyt6 about all things relating to The Bluebirds including the great appointment of Pete Wild.
To start things off, Could you tell us a little bit about yourself? How long have you been a Barrow supporter and when did you first come across the club?
I’m a local lad that goes to watch Barrow home and most away games. I also create YouTube content for the club, the channel is called ‘Barrowontour’. I’ve been a Barrow fan now for three seasons, I started to go to games when Paul Cox was in charge just before Ian Evatt was brought in.
Last season, The Bluebirds just about escaped relegation as they finished 22nd. How would you assess that season and do you believe it was the right choice to sack former FGR gaffer Mark Cooper in late March?
It wasn’t the best of seasons, we had to rely on players like John Rooney as he was a key part in keeping us up. I do believe it was the right choice to get rid of Mark Cooper.
This summer, there was somewhat of a clear-out as thirteen players came in to the club either on loan or permanent with two being former Rovers men Sam Foley and George Ray. How have those particular two players settled in? How happy are you with the club’s business and do you believe that there are any other positions that need to be strengthened in January?
Sam Foley and George Ray have settled into the club very well. Foley is a regular starter alongside young Harrison Neal and although Foley is 35 he plays like he’s 23 which is what I love to see.
The rest of our transfers have been great as well, Whitfield has scored three and made five assists in ten games and is the current top assister in the league at the moment which proves that he is a brilliant signing.
Pete Wild, after a very successful season with Halifax, also entered the gates of Holker Street this summer. What are your thoughts on Wild so far? How have fans taken to him and what is his preferred playing style?
It was an amazing appointment as he’s a young manager that had a great spell with Oldham and Halifax having the best defensive record at home in the league. His preferred playing style at the moment is to press on loose balls and win the ball back as quickly as we can.
Paul Hornby is the Chairman of Barrow. What are your thoughts on him and the way that the club is run?
I like him, he’s a local businessman from the area. I really like the way it’s going at the moment with appointing a sporting director, we never seemed to have that but now we do with the new manager and Adam Temple. The money has been put in around the club on the roof of Holker Street end, I feel that the club is going in the right direction.
Josh Gordon has netted seven in twelve games so far this campaign. Who would you say are your side’s key players and where do you believe the key battles will be played out on Saturday afternoon? Touching on the strengths that the team has, where do you believe Barrow will finish come next May?
Josh Gordon has netted seven in twelve games so far, Ben Whitfield and Sam Foley are another two great players for us. I think we’ll finish in a play-off place or just inside the top ten.
How do you see the upcoming game panning out? What is your score prediction? The last time the two clubs came head to head was February 5th as the game resulted in a 1-1 draw.
I feel that Barrow will dominate the game. My score prediction will be a 3-1 Barrow win.
Following two Tranmere wins on the road, Micky Mellon’s men are back at Prenton Park this Saturday afternoon. The last time Barrow visited here was Boxing Day 2021 as Rovers won 2-0, Nicky Maynard and Kieron Morris were on the scoresheet that day.