On Boxing Day, Tranmere Rovers will play host to Bradford City in a fourth division fixture at Prenton Park in what should be a very entertaining game. With that in mind, I placed questions towards the visitors ‘https://thefootballfansview.com/’ correspondent ‘@_Matthew_Ward’. I thought it would be interesting to see the thoughts of a fan who’s club will soon face Rovers, to get his opinions of Tranmere as well as his thoughts on the position of the West Yorkshire club at the moment, on and off the pitch; amongst other subjects.
How long have you been a supporter of Bradford City?
I have been a Bradford fan for pretty much all of my life, 18 years.
Where did the ‘Bantams’ finish last season?
9th in League Two, a season that was curtailed early due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
What are your thoughts on your current manager?
At the moment the club doesn’t have a permanent manager after sacking Scotsman Stuart MCall little over a week ago. However, Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars have done well as interim managers as they are getting results. Two games in, four points taken, a draw away at Crawley Town and a victory at Valley Parade against Cambridge United.
What were your expectations for this season? What are your thoughts on the start your side has made to this campaign?
My initial expectations were promotion, the last campaign was promising. The start we have made was certainly not expected by any City fan. To be four points off the relegation zone for a club who’s staff and management team expected to be in the promotion picture isn’t good enough.
Which one player is your danger man? Why?
Defender Connor Wood’s quality has stood out. He is a good defender but he also has that confidence to go forwards and be dangerous across the pitch.
What is your score prediction for the boxing day fixture at Prenton Park?
I’ll go 1-0 City. Our last two performances have shown that we have the quality but it certainly won’t be easy.
Random fact about Bradford? (Famous fans, something about the area etc)
Former One Direction artist Zayn Malik is a supporter of the ‘Bantams’.
Do you support/like any other clubs other than Bradford City? Why?
Aston Villa. My dad supports them thus there is some association.
Proudest moment as a Bradford supporter?
Featuring at Wembley twice in the 2012/13 season was exceptional. We reached the final of the league cup, eventually losing to Swansea City. We also reached the league two play off final defeating Northampton Town to reach the third tier of the English footballing pyramid.
What is your opinion of the boxing day hosts?
I don’t mind Tranmere. I think you’re probably unfairly overlooked due to your location, situated right next to Premier League giants Liverpool and Everton. However, you have a good fan base and I’m a big fan of the ‘super white army’ chant.
I would like to thank Matthew Ward for his time answering the questions that I placed towards him. This league encounter should be an interesting occasion between two clubs who have promotion expectations, despite poor starts to the campaign and I hope that readers enjoyed this Q+A.
Prenton Park, the home for this exciting league two tie.
The Hammers struggled last season, they sacked a manager and they flirted with relegation at many stages throughout the campaign. In my honest opinion, I thought that they would go down. However, a Scotsman who the club had appointed before managed to do what I believed was the ‘unthinkable’ and in doing so completely transformed the mood around the ‘camp’.
PELLEGRINI’S REIGN:
It was Manuel Pellegrini, the former Manchester City title winner that took the east London club into the start of the last campaign. He was evidently out of his depth, it was his second year in the hot-seat at the London Stadium and there had been many problems faced in his first campaign. The defence was a major worry, in the 18/19 league season they shipped an average of 1.4 goals per game and their poor defensive structure was a subject discussed on ‘Match Of The Day’ most weekends. They weren’t too bad in front of goal though, wingers Marko Arnoutovic and Filipe Anderson both scored more than ten and the form of strikers Michail Antonio and Javier Hernandez wasn’t too bad either. This came a season after Moyes was appointed and sacked, Pellegrini seemed to be a name of higher quality given his successful track record. Little did the board know that Glasweigan David Moyes would soon return.
In the summer of 2019, in the aim of improving on their mid-table league position of 10th they brought in: Frenchman Sebastien Haller and another central attacker in Pablo Fornals. The main problem, the defence, was also addressed ever so slightly with the signing of the Portugese centre-half Goncalo Cordoso. However, it is fair to say that Cordoso’s time at the club hasn’t gone as well as expected. It wasn’t entirely his fault for the manner his side would start the season off in though …
THE RE-APPOINTMENT OF DAVID MOYES:
It would take the London Stadium club nineteen Premier league encounters before sacking the Chilean manager Pellegrini. It had been a disastrous start and whoever was going to be brought in would have a huge job on their hands. Ten defeats in the opening nineteen games saw the Hammers positioned seventeenth and the confidence of squad members had really taken a blow.
Surprisingly, the club would appoint Moyes on the 29th December, a day after a home defeat to Leicester City. This was evidently not an appointment that caused a sense of optimism amongst the East London faithful, they had become familiar to the Glaswegian as he was of course the manager in the hot-seat prior to the Chilean. Moyes had enough experience to know that a strong winter transfer window and a few positive performances could potentially turn the minds of the fans. This was certainly aided by a 4-0 home victory against Bournemouth in Moyes’ home return. It was now time to start recruiting and keep up the happiness created by a very attacking free-flowing game of football.
WINTER TRANSFER WINDOW:
Experienced Irish goalkeeper Darren Randolph and young promising forward Jarrod Bowen signed permanent deals. Randolph was brought in on an undisclosed fee and Bowen cost £22million, money well spent if you think of the impact he has had for his team so far. To aid a leaking defensive issue, Declan Rice had found himself a partner. Tomas Soucek, a Czech Republican international from Slavia Prague, signed on loan until the end of the season. Again, this was another successful piece of recruitment made by the former Manchester United manager in his first transfer window of his second spell. The signing of Soucek could also help the aging Mark Noble relax a little bit as his age was certainly impacting his performances, they were becoming underpar.
The win against Bournemouth was the only league win in the new manager’s first eight encounters, an exit from the FA Cup also came with a defeat to West Brom. Thus, there was plenty still left to improve and the job’s difficulty was improving.
THE COVID STOPPAGE AND A VERY SUCCESSFUL RETURN:
Two games later, the COVID-19 outbreak brought a stoppage of play. A stoppage for a mammoth three and a half months. In these two games, the Hammers would beat Southampton 3-1 at the London Stadium and this was a very important victory.
Clubs returned to footballing action, behind closed doors, in late June. Games against Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester United had to be played. Moyes’ intelligence and ability to spark life into a somewhat beaten squad had to be shown, show it he did. Three wins and three draws in nine games would see the Hammers keep their spot in the top tier of English football. Wins including an amazing 3-2 win against Chelsea and 4-0 away to the relegated Norwich City, the campaign ended on a great high.
A SUCCESSFUL SUMMER WINDOW OF 2020:
25-year-old Tomas Soucek had certainly shown his qualities across the course of his loan spell, it was important for the Hammers to extend his time at the club. They did, it cost £15million to secure his signature. However, in today’s era that can be seen as a relative ‘steal’. Another Slavia Prague man was snapped up, wing-back Vladimir Coufal strengthened the right-back rankings as it was obvious that Moyes wanted to improve on what he had already in the relatively experienced Ryan Fredericks.
West Ham also delved into the loan market: centre half Craig Dawson was signed from Watford and the Hammers again looked at promising Championship wingers as Said Benrahma was brought in from Brentford.
Little under twenty squad players departed the East London gates, none would cause a greater sense of unrest than the selling of Grady Diangana. The young winger was sold to West Brom, the club being promoted to the Premier league in the same summer. He had been on loan at the Baggies the season prior to this departure however it now seemed like the perfect time to include his qualities in an improving West Ham side. Fans were very disappointed at the leadership at the club and some players took to social media to show their displeasure. This wasn’t a positive piece of transfer business in a relatively successful summer transfer window.
A POSITIVE START:
The Hammers have had a very positive start to the 2020/21 campaign. After thirteen games, they are in a Europa league spot and fans are very optimistic for success with what they have witnessed. In their last ten league games, they have won six and drawn three. An amazing comeback away to Tottenham, 3-3. A fantastic away win at Leicester City, finishing 3-0 and a showing that they can ‘grind’ three points out of their performances. It has been a start to remember and there is plenty left to build on as another transfer window draws closer.
The squad’s ability to score was also shown in the EFL Cup although they were knocked out of the competition in the fourth round at Goodison Park. In their opening two rounds, they put three past Charlton Athletic and five past Hull City.
So far this season, I have been impressed with many players out of the Stratford based squad. Former Tranmere Rovers full back Aaron Creswell has shown his qualities, his crossing has been immense and has aided the top scorer Seb Haller’s positive start as he has netted seven in fifteen.
FUTURE:
The January transfer window of 2021 is drawing nearer and there are a few positions that I’d like to see the Hammers progress in. I believe that this season, with what had been put on show so far, David Moyes should guide his team to a Europa League qualification spot. From there, they should aim to solidify their European spot and aim to progress into the Champions league … this is of course a long shot away from where they are at the moment.
Goalkeepers – West Ham’s goalkeeper options are unfortunately ‘old’. Lukasz Fabianski, Darren Randolph and David Martin are all nearing their playing retirements and although Fabianski is still good there is a need for long term improvement. The Hammers should sign a young keeper that is getting closer to their peak.
Centre back – There are a few good centre halves at the club: Diop, Ogbonna, Creswell etc However, it is in the back-up options that a slight worry is placed. Winston Reid remains at the club, although he is on loan and Craig Dawson is another name that doesn’t touch the surfaces of Diop and Ogbonna. The Hammers should look to sign a top centre half so there isn’t too much of a need to worry about the back-ups.
Attacking midfielder – West Ham’s midfield ranks is a position of great strength. Academy product Declan Rice is earning great reviews, without an element of surprise. However, the club should aim to strengthen their attacking midfield spaces. Pablo Fornals and Manuel Lanzini are good players. However, there is a need to improve on their qualities and a new face could potentially do this.
Winger – Said Benrahma has shown his qualities this season and should thus aim to extend his long term future at the club. On top of that, there may be a slight need to improve the back-up options. Filipe Anderson hasn’t done too well at the Hammers and could well be on his way out of the club, Andriy Yarmalenko is another that is struggling at the time of writing. It would’ve been great for the club to keep Grady Diangana yet this means that there is a slight need of recruiting another winger to increase the quality in this position of play.
When you think of the great football rivalries, you tend to think of: United v City, Everton v Liverpool, Rangers v Celtic. There are plenty of clubs that don’t like one another, yet there are a lot more clubs who’s rivalry with another isn’t greatly known about. For example, Tranmere Rovers v Bolton Wanderers.
Tranmere and Bolton don’t have much in comparison. Bolton has tended to be the more attractive club, well in terms of league positions that is. They competed in Europe a little over a decade ago, getting to the last sixteen of the UEFA Cup in 2008. However, the rivalry between the Whites and the Trotters started many years previous.
The 1991 third division play-off final could be seen as the game that sparked a rivalry between two Merseyside and Greater Manchester clubs, the two cities not liking each other too much. Even though Tranmere isn’t in Liverpool, the two areas have some similarities. If you aren’t willing to admit that, it adds to the view that this rivalry really is peculiar.
Anyway, in 1991 there was a playoff final played at Wembley Stadium between John King’s Whites and Phil Neal’s Wanderers. This match was very closely contested. In fact, the game would go to extra time for an additional thirty minutes of playtime. Chris Malkin scored the goal that would promote Tranmere to the second division. Those were the club’s glory years.
The Tranmere team was accused of celebrating too much by the Greater Manchester club, the celebrations were understandable from a neutral or even a Rovers fan’s point of view. There was too much on the line that day as King had built a fantastic squad and a ‘trip to the moon’ soon followed. The Rovers faithful were ecstatic and for good reason too.
Skip forward nine years, the two clubs met again. This time around, John Aldridge had replaced John King and Phil Neal had been replaced by Sam Allardyce. To this day, Allardyce is a man that is despised by many of the Rovers’ faithful… I don’t think that Aldridge is held too highly in the thoughts of Bolton’s fans either. This is why …
In 2000, the two clubs came head to head in the league cup semi-final. At that time, Dave Challinor played his football at Prenton Park and his throw-ins caused every opposing defence problems. In an attempt to prevent these struggles, Allardyce blocked up gaps in the advertising boards at the ‘Reebok’ stadium. Needless to say, the Whites progressed to the league cup final winning 4-0 on aggregate after two games. This made Aldridge give Allardyce a personal dance, emotions weren’t hidden and emotions of happiness for the home team made the emotions of the visitors ‘sour’.
In the post-match press conference, Allardyce gave his thoughts on his side’s defeat and had a dig at the club that he had been beaten by. ‘Every dog has its day, but you never forget’.
This certainly wasn’t forgotten … Bolton traveled to Prenton Park the following season for a league encounter. Allardyce remained as the Trotters manager and to show that he had been hurt, refused his player’s the chance of getting changed or showered following a difficult contest in which Bolton won.
On top of this, there has been numerous cases of fan trouble. For example, it has been reported that after the play-off final mentioned above Bolton fans were caught attacking vulnerable Rovers fans including women and children. This is of course ‘cowardly’. However, there have been plenty more occasions like this. I’d prefer to talk about the on-pitch rivalry yet there is a strong sense of resentment between the two sets of fans.
To this day, that isn’t forgotten and the rivalry between the two clubs remains. Despite the club not meeting much, due to Bolton’s successes, the Wanderers recently experienced great financial issues. This meant that they would be relegated, back to back to the fourth division and the rivalry was revisited last season and again in this campaign.
In the midst of these encounters, Rovers appointed ex-Trotters manager Keith Hill and the reaction due to him supporting the Wanderers wasn’t a great one at all. Hill has only ever had success in the fourth division. However, his name is on Bolton’s relegation last season. I think this was a relegation that was inevitable though, given the lack of fundings available towards a depleted squad.
Last season, when Bolton struggled to afford the ability to field a strong side they visited Prenton Park and were defeated 5-0. Rovers fans will live in hope that this scoreline can be repeated this upcoming weekend, that will be a great struggle…
I was in the midst of getting fan’s opinions. However, to keep this write-up available for people of all ages to read … I’ve decided not to.
Chris Malkin celebrates his goal in the 1991 third division play off final. Rovers would win this game, 1-0 against Bolton, after extra time. A great period of success for the Whites, Johnny King was manager then.
This upcoming Saturday afternoon, Tranmere Rovers will travel to Bolton Wanderers’ ‘University of Bolton stadium’ as the ‘Trotters’ host the ‘whites’ in league two action. With that in mind, I placed questions towards Jonnie Tickle ‘@JonnieTickle’ who supports this encounters’ hosts. I thought it would be interesting to see the thoughts of a fan who’s club will soon face Rovers, to get his opinions of Tranmere as well as his thoughts on the position of the Greater Manchester club at the moment, on and off the pitch; amongst other subjects.
How long have you been a supporter of Bolton and how did you discover the club?
I’ve supported the club all my life pretty much, I have a family full of Bolton fans and grew up right next to the stadium so it was the perfect fit really.
Where did Bolton finish last season?
They finished 23rd I think, last season was a bit of a write off with the points deduction so wasn’t really much to expect. Unfortunately, we were relegated. I think it was fairly inevitable though.
What are your thoughts on your current manager – Ian Evatt?
I like him, the football has been frustrating to watch but it’s nice to see a manager come in and try and implement a new style and have this confidence that it’s gonna work, hopefully it does.
What are your expectations for this season? What are your thoughts on your start to the campaign?
I mean I think we should be getting promoted regardless, I always knew it would be a tough league but with a squad of our stature we should be looking to the top end of the table. It’s obviously been a disappointing start but we’ve shown glimpses of what we can do so hopefully we’ll be okay.
Which one player is your danger man, why?
A fairly obvious one really, Eoin Doyle. He is on a scoring run and was the league’s top scorer last time round, he certainly knows where the net is.
What is your score prediction for the game on Saturday?
I’m gonna be optimistic and go 2-1 Bolton, it’s at our place and I’m hoping that we can get the 3 points
Random fact about Bolton? (Famous fans, something about the town etc)
The stadium is the only ground in the UK to have a separate home and away tunnel.
Do you support/like any other clubs other than Bolton , why?
Bolton’s my main one, I always keep an eye out on the Liverpool score due to family connections and also Chorley because I’ve been there a few times.
Proudest moment as a supporter of Bolton?
There’s been a few tbh, I’m sure any other Bolton fan would say the 3-2 against Forest when we stayed up the last minute but unfortunately I couldn’t make it. Thus, I’ll say the Peterborough game where we won 3-0 that got us promotion to the Championship in 2017.
What is your opinion of Tranmere Rovers?
I’ll try and be nice haha, they are a big club for this division and they have got some good players. However, I don’t know why Keith Hill was appointed as the new manager after the state he left us in.
I would like to thank Jonnie ‘@JonnieTickle’ for his time answering the questions that I placed towards him. This league encounter should be an interesting occasion between two clubs that have a feisty history and I hope that readers enjoyed this Q+A.
Thank you very much for reading,
Stay safe,
Ethan Hoijord
Bolton’s ‘University of Bolton stadium’, where the action will unfold on the Weekend.
On Monday morning, it was announced that one of Liverpool’s greatest managers Gerard Houllier had passed away. Gerard is a man that many believe brought Liverpool Football Club into the 21st Century in the best of manners. During his time at the club, he changed everything including the attitude of players and their lifestyles off the pitch. He won trophies. He also gave a debut to Steven Gerrard, one of Liverpool Football Club’s most influential players ever.
Before Houllier turned his career to football, he was a University student at Lille University where he would complete an English degree. As part of this course, Gerard would spend a year in Liverpool. Attending a 10-0 thrashing of Dundalk, in 1969. Bill Shankly was the manager then. He would use his degree to later become a deputy headmaster at a French school, leaving this role to become a player-manager aged 26.
First of all, we should talk about his career as a footballer. He wasn’t the best of footballers, at all. In fact, Danny Murphy speaking to ‘Talksport’ said ‘Gerard would ping balls across the training ground, people used to laugh, he wasn’t a great player’. He would feature for French minnows Hucqueliers after coming through their youth system, going on to play for Le Touquet. Gerard would never threaten the professional ranks as a footballer.
It was at Le Touquet that Houllier earned his coaching badges, the club’s player-manager for three years. He would spend a respective six years at Noeux-Les-Mines and a respective three at Lens before he transferred to the dugout at Paris Saint-Germain. At Noeux-Les-Mines he would win three promotions, despite limited resources, taking the club to the second division. Lens would be promoted to the top division and qualify for the UEFA Cup. He transformed PSG from a side that finished 13th to a club that would win the league, in his first campaign. This would dip as they would soon finish 7th and 15th.
However, he had done more than enough to show that he was worthy of a coaching role within the French national team’s system. Gerard would be Michel Platini’s assistant manager, upon the departure of Henri Michel. This wasn’t a successful time though, France’s best finish between 1988-1992 was a group stage finish in the ’92 Group stage. Due to this, Platini was sacked yet Houllier would stay in the French setup. Gerard Houllier was named manager of the French senior team in 1992. This was a team that consisted of a few ‘world-class’ talents, such as Laurent Blanc, Marcel Desailly, Didier Deschamps and Eric Cantona. Gerard would be in charge of twelve games: winning seven and losing four. However, this wasn’t enough to qualify for the 1994 World Cup thus he would resign from his duties in the November of ’93. Gerard Houllier would spend three years managing the youth talents of the country whilst continuing his role as technical director. France under 18s would be victorious in the 1996 Under18s Euros and this team consisted of Premier league great Thierry Henry.
After many years in France, Gerard would return to the city that he called home for a year during his student life. Houllier would return to Liverpool being partnered up with Roy Evans as joint managers in 1998. This wouldn’t be a successful partnership. The ‘reds’ were knocked out of the league cup with a defeat to Tottenham, after losing their place in the UEFA Cup with a defeat against Spanish side Celta Vigo. Evans would soon leave, Houllier being named sole manager. In this role, he could truly transform Liverpool who hadn’t won the league for eight years and were struggling with consistent off the pitch attitudes. The team was, at the time, labeled the ‘spice boys’. In Jamie Carragher’s autobiography, ‘Carra’, he said ‘Gerard rigorously modernized Liverpool’s traditions, the club’s recovery began under him. Players started to care more and the attention to detail was amazing’.
Gerard took a continental approach to his recruitment. During his first summer transfer window, players such as Paul Ince, David James, Jason McAteer were all sold and Steve McMannaman would depart Anfield on a free transfer. Centre-half Sami Hyypia, defensive midfielder Dietmar Hamann, and ‘heading specialist’ Eric Meijer were upon the list that would be signed. However, the youth system would be used to good effect. It wasn’t a totally continental approach to the squad revamp. Defender Jamie Carragher, midfielder Steven Gerrard and forward Micheal Owen became a cornerstone of the team.
Along with the squad, the training facilities at Melwood were also transformed into something ‘special’. Gerrard, just like Arsene Wenger at Arsenal, was a Frenchman who knew what needed to be done to turn his team into winners and he was determined to do so.
Micheal Owen was a great talent that had been produced by the club’s youth system. However, he needed someone to partner him. Another forward that would be on his wavelength, someone to do the ‘dirty’ work whilst he could use his pace to tire defences. With that in mind, Emile Heskey would be signed in 2000.
Taken from Owen’s book ‘Reboot’, published in 2019.
‘When Emile first turned up at the club, I used to look at him and think you’re absolutely unplayable. I remember playing a reserve game alongside him against Italy, the Italian defenders would swarm around me but Emile would fend them all off. I thought, you’ll do for me! He was a terrific player: big, strong and had a good touch – he offered something different. He was very unselfish, he loved scoring goals but he could also hold the ball up very well and look for chances to put me in. I’ve played with many better strikers with arguably bigger reputations across my career: Shearer, Raul and Fowler etc. However, I’d have to say my favourite strike partnership was with Emile Heskey. He enhanced my play’
As well as the signing of Heskey, Gary McAllister and Nicky Barmby were another two that would call Anfield ‘home.’
With these signings, Liverpool had a fantastic 2000/01 campaign. Winning a cup treble: League cup, the FA Cup and the UEFA Cup. They would finish third in the Premier League, qualifying for the next season’s Champions League tournament. They would soon win the Charity Shield against Manchester United and the UEFA Super Cup against Bayern Munich, all in 2001. This was a phenomenal year for Liverpool, with five trophies and two great awards for academy products. Micheal Owen winning the Ballon D’or and Steven Gerrard winning the PFA young player of the season. It was on Houllier’s hospital bed, before a European fixture, that he would ring Owen and tell him about the award that he would soon receive. Micheal couldn’t believe it, he was amazed, he would be the first English man to win the Ballon D’or since Stanley Matthews.
This campaign alongside his general work was enough for Gerard to be named in Jamie Carragher’s book ‘Carra’ as the best manager he had worked for. ‘Gerard spoke my football language’.
Houllier had started his reign at Liverpool in the best possible manner. However, his health deteriorated and this would cause great worry across the Liverpool squad. Another thing mentioned in Micheal Owen’s book ‘Reboot’ was the compassion that the manager showed towards his players. ‘Houllier would ask about the player’s families and when he asked you knew he was being serious. With some people, they do that and you know they are just doing it to seem nice but Gerard did it and he was nice. He really would care about you. He would remember what you had told him the last time you spoke, that’s how you knew he cared about off-the-pitch matters’. This care even stretched to his recruitment process. He would ask players if someone he was looking to sign was a player that key squad members would like to be brought into the club. Squad unity was important. Gerard would discover that he had a bad heart condition in 2001, after falling ill during a match against Leeds. At halftime, he was found unconscious in the toilets and the players were rushed back out. Their manager would soon be rushed to the hospital with the use of an ambulance.
Caretaker manager Phil Thompson would guide Liverpool to a second placed league finish with the absence of Houllier, Liverpool’s best-recorded league finish in the ‘premier league’ at the time.
He would return to Liverpool to manage the ‘reds’ during the 2002/03 campaign. However, this was a fairly unsuccessful season. They would finish fifth and Houllier’s summer signings were highly criticized: El Hadji Diouf (£10million), Salif Diao (£5million) and Bruno Cheyrou (£4million). It was also deemed a failure to not make Nicolas Anelka’s time at the club permanent. However, it would be the season that Liverpool would defeat Manchester United 2-0 in the League cup final at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium.
Another good thing came in 2003 as Steven Gerrard would be named club captain.
Gerrard Houllier would depart Anfield in May 2004, following a couple of seasons of deemed ‘unattractive football’ and a perceived lack of support from the ‘reds’ faithful. Off the pitch and in the calendar year of 2001, Houllier had done phenomenally well. However, his time was up.
In Jamie Carragher’s autobiography ‘Carra’, the former Liverpool centre half says ‘I felt sorry for Gerard but the decision was the correct one’.
Rafa Benitez would be appointed Liverpool manager in the summer of 2004 and with a team that had been recruited by the departed manager, they would win the UEFA Champions League with a performance deemed the ‘miracle of Istanbul’.
Upon his departure from Anfield in 2004, he would go on to manage French league winners Lyon before returning to England to manage Aston Villa. Houllier would also make a return to the French national set up, as technical director.
Gerard would pass away, on 14th December 2020 following a heart operation. He will be missed by all that knew him and all of the fans that he had given great memories to. He truly transformed Liverpool Football Club and some say that today’s successes started with the actions he made during his reign.
Tributes to Gerard Houllier – taken from Liverpool’s official website ‘https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/announcements/420028-tributes-to-gerard-houllier’ :
‘I didn’t know Gerard too well – I met him a couple of times, but in those few moments he created a relationship with me that was really special. He is a true Liverpool legend and he is a true coaching legend. He was really influential in the game. A great coach, but a human being who gave you a really warm feeling when you were around him. For all of us it is a big loss and a really sad day’. (Jurgen Klopp)
‘Devastated to hear the news that my former boss Gerard Houllier has passed away. I will never forget what this man did for me and my career. Rest in peace Boss. YNWA x’ (Steven Gerrard)
‘Very sad news about Gerard Houllier. He was a gentleman and a great footballing person; I enjoyed his company many times. His legacy at LFC will forever be appreciated, respected and never forgotten. Marina and I offer our sincere condolences to his family. RIP Gerard. YNWA’ (Kenny Dalglish)
‘Absolutely devastated by the news about Gerard Houllier, I was in touch with him only last month to arrange him coming to Liverpool. Loved that man to bits, he changed me as a person & as a player & got Liverpool back winning trophies. RIP Boss’. (Jamie Carragher)
Pressure has been placed onto Keith Hill, following Tranmere’s devastating 5-0 away defeat to Exeter City.
The game saw a repeat of many of the mistakes that were made in Rovers’ last time out. The ‘Grecians’ would pounce on these mistakes and were good quality for a 5-0 victory, in truth they could and probably should have scored more. To put it simply, the hosts managed to walk through their visitors defensive line on many occasions and the quality that they possess has left the Tranmere manager and his team with many questions to answer.
The performance simply wasn’t good enough, Rovers were dominated.
First half –
Tranmere started with a showing of their attacking intent, Kaiyne Woolery broke forward and would eventually ‘pull the trigger’. His left footed shot from outside the box being blocked, before deflecting wide. It was an even start to the game.
However, Rovers’ defensive frailties would soon show. Exeter striker Joel Randall volleying over the bar, he was left unmarked at the back post. The hosts were finding it too easy to get through the visitor’s defensive line but this was the closest they had gotten so far.
They would soon open the scoring. Ryan Bowman having another shot from inside the box. This time his attempt found itself being placed beautifully into the top left corner. It would be their academy product, Matt Jay, that assisted the opener and he was certainly displaying his qualities.
The Grecians’ top scorer, Jay, would soon cut inside and release a shot. It failed to have the accuracy required to meet the back of the net. His attempt would go harmlessly wide.
The hosts would soon find themselves with a great opportunity to double their lead, after being awarded a penalty from a Jay Spearing foul. This set piece seemed to be incredibly harshly given. Nevertheless, Jay would double the hosts’ lead sending Scott Davies the wrong way from twelve yards out.
At the other end, Danny Lloyd would try to find the feet of striker Kaiyne Woolery. However, the pair were on different wavelengths and nothing was created.
It would soon go from bad to worse for Rovers, the scoreline was ‘put out of reach’ as Bowman doubled his goal tally for the afternoon. His shot from inside the box finding the bottom left corner of Davies’ net.
The ‘whites’ would try their best to bring a goal back as they tried to force their way into the game. Full-back loanee Calum Macdonald and creative midfielder Otis Khan having crosses blocked from the left hand side of the pitch.
A cross would soon find the head of Kaiyne Woolery, who was unable to find the target.
It could have easily been four to the good for the hosts before the half time whistle blew, Bowman again showing his capabilities. However, he would fire another good chance wide.
There was little action left of a half to forget for Tranmere, Macdonald being booked for a foul on Randell Williams as the winger aimed to break forward.
Second half –
Tranmere manager Keith Hill recognised that changes had to be made if Rovers’ fortunes was to change. They had put a lot of miles in on the road for the work to seemingly go to waste. Thus, he made four changes before the second half commenced. Liam Ridehalgh, Paul Lewis, Ollie Banks and Morgan Ferrier would replace Calum Macdonald, Otis Khan, Danny Lloyd and Kieron Morris.
These changes seemed to add a new breath of attacking intent. Tranmere started the half off with Woolery breaking forward and out pacing Tom Parkes who would eventually bring him down. The defender was booked as a result of this foul.
Substitute Morgan Ferrier would soon chase down a short back pass and force goalkeeper Jonny Maxted to clear the ball high into the stand.
He would soon drive forward again and deliver a low cross, the goalkeeper was again called into action but he gathered the ball calmly.
At the other end, defender Tom Parkes would see his effort fire over the bar from the club’s top scorer’s free kick. Time for a Rovers comeback was getting slimmer.
The referee awarded another booking, this time it was veteran centre half Peter Clarke that was on the end of this. For a handball.
The visitor’s fifth change of the half came when forward replaced forward. Corey Blackett-Taylor would come onto the pitch for Kaiyne Woolery. An injection of well needed pace.
However, the hopes of Blackett-Taylor having a great impact on the game was soon squashed.
Jake Taylor’s shot from the centre of the box saw itself fired into the bottom right corner.
Tranmere goalkeeper Scott Davies was soon awarded a yellow card.
His afternoon would get worse when a fifth was fired past him. Another shot from the centre of the box would travel past Davies and slot into the bottom right corner. There was certainly no chance of redemption for Rovers now.
There weren’t many chances created after this, from either side.
Former ‘super whites’ full-back Jake Caprice would come onto the pitch late on into the game.
This Saturday afternoon, Keith Hill’s ‘super whites’ travel to Exeter City in the aim of adding momentum to their midweek EFL Trophy win. However, they will also be aiming to turn wrongs to rights after losing in their last league encounter.
It will be a great test of the club’s strength and the relatively new manager will certainly get to experience the quality that his side has after being in charge for three weeks. This is because Exeter are placed in fifth starting the campaign off to a good standard, after being heavily defeated in the previous play off final.
If Rovers do manage to pick up three points, they may be rewarded with a play-off place. Thus, this league encounter should be very interesting and one that spectators should be looking forward to.
TEAM NEWS:
In his pre match meeting with the press, Hill reported that there are no new injury problems. This is great news as it means that there is a fully fit squad to choose from with the exception of forward Stefan Payne who is recovering from an operation on a groin injury.
THE HOSTS:
The game this weekend will be played at St James Park, which has a capacity of 8,696. The ground’s record attendance being 20,984 who witnessed a 4-2 defeat to Sunderland in an FA Cup sixth round replay in 1931.
It is here where Matt Taylor’s dugout can be found, it has been his since he was appointed by the club for his first managerial role in 2018.
When the Chorley born man was a footballer, he was a centre-half and was a product of Everton’s youth system. At the Merseyside club he was a goalkeeper.
It was in 2006 that he moved up the pitch, catching the eye of the Team Bath manager whilst in this role for Sheffield University. He would soon play for Exeter City, having an important role in the season that the club won promotion from the Conference with a play off final win.
He would earn his coaching badges when becoming a player-coach upon his return to Bath City. He has since impressed as manager of the ‘Grecians’, missing out on the playoffs in his first season by a single point. Last season, they would get to the play off final but lose heavily to Northampton Town.
In pre-season, Exeter aimed to bolster their defensive ranks. Full backs Jake Caprice and Lewis Page were brought in from Tranmere Rovers and Charlton Athletic. Centre half Rory McArdle being brought in from Scunthorpe United. Young Icelandic goalkeeper Jokull Andresson signed on a short term loan deal from Reading, in October.
Nine players would exit the Devonshire club gates on a permanent basis, an evident clear-out.
The squad changes have seemed to work as Taylor’s side are currently placed 5th in the league two table, with seven victories from sixteen games.
In the FA Cup they are through to the third round. The ‘Grecians’ have beaten Fylde and Gillingham leaving them with a televised upcoming tie against Sheffield Wednesday to play in January.
However, they have been knocked out of the EFL Cup and the EFL Trophy being defeated against Bristol City and Northampton Town. They seem to have no luck against the ‘Cobblers’.
Matt Jay is the hosts leading goalscorer, with nine goals in sixteen games. The 24-year old striker is an academy product of the club where he is currently excelling. He was snapped up by the club’s youth system when he was just seven years old, thus he has been at the club for seventeen years.
He has had to show his quality through having three different loan spells all at Southern non league clubs: Weston-super-Mare, Hayes and Yeading United and Truro City. This is certainly his best campaign so far, meaning he is this weekend’s ‘one to watch’.
OFFICIALS:
Kevin Johnson is the ‘man in the middle’ of St James Park this Saturday afternoon. This season, he has officiated thirteen games. Two being in league two, where he has awarded three yellow cards and one penalty kick. The experienced referee will be helped by his assistants, Adam Ricketts and Robert Dabbs.
DID YOU KNOW?
One of Johnny King’s greatest games as Tranmere manager was against Exeter City. This game was to be the start of the club’s greatest of successes.
Gary Williams would be the player to score the goal that would see Rovers keep their football league status, five seasons later the club was in the second division.
HEAD TO HEAD:
Tranmere have competed against the ‘Grecians’ on 36 different occasions.
Wins – 19
Draws – 5
Losses – 12
The two clubs first met, in the 1961/62 season, it was in the September of 1961 that they first competed against each other. A seven goal thriller at Prenton Park, meant Exeter City took all three points back to Devonshire. The game finished 3-4.
MY PREDICTIONS:
I believe Tranmere will win on Saturday afternoon, it will be an incredibly difficult but interesting occasion and it will be a great test of defensive qualities.
Score prediction – Exeter City 1 Tranmere Rovers 2
If you enjoyed this match preview, why not read my Q+A with a supporter of the ‘Grecians’.
He tells readers how he started to love the Devonshire club, his thoughts of how their season has gone so far and his thoughts going into Saturday’s league encounter against a team he describes to have a ‘great and very loud away support’.
On Saturday afternoon, Tranmere Rovers will travel 245 miles south to face Exeter City in league two action at St James Park. With that in mind, I placed questions towards aspiring sports journalist @Jamiedecfc who supports the ‘Grecians’. I thought it would be interesting to see the thoughts of a fan who’s club will soon face Rovers, to get his opinions of Tranmere as well as his thoughts on the state of the Devonshire club at the moment; amongst other subjects.
How long have you been a supporter of Exeter and how did you discover the club?
I’ve been a ‘city’ supporter for 10 years. I first went with a group of friends and I’ve been hooked ever since.
Where did Exeter finish last season?
We finished 5th and reached the playoff final as well for the 3rd time in 4 years, our home form being the key to our success. Unfortunately, we would lose heavily to Northampton Town. Our luck really isn’t the best at Wembley.
What are your thoughts on your current manager, Matt Taylor?
Matt Taylor has worked wonders since his arrival in 2018. His playing style is physical but attacking. He is also brutally honest in interviews which is something that we lacked in the Tisdale years but most importantly I’m proud of the way he’s built on the previous manager’s success. He has made the team his own and is keen to go far with the club.
What are your expectations for this season? What are your thoughts on the start of Exeter’s season?
I really can’t complain with our start. We’ve been excellent and considering the circumstances this year we’re perhaps over achieving but our youngsters have adjusted well and have stepped up when needed. Joel Randell and our attacking play in general is a joy to watch at the moment but if we’re being really picky I’d have liked to see some of the draws turn into wins. The defensive issues have been a massive problem, I think we’ve conceded the most goals in the current top 6 but if we iron out the errors and keep our attacking form up then I fancy us to get that elusive promotion.
Which one player is your danger man, why?
It’s really difficult to pinpoint one player especially at the moment as our attacking play is so good but I’d say Joel Randell and Matt Jay are our ‘danger men’. They are both the top scorers so far this season. They are both natural finishers and have very fancy footwork and the pair are also very pacey. They’ll be one to keep an eye on and I’m glad they’re taking their chances thus far.
What is your score prediction for the game against Tranmere?
I’d predict a 1-1 draw due to our home from being very good this season and of course Tranmere carry a massive attacking threat with the likes of Morgan Ferrier and James Vaughan, Blackett-Taylor as well. It should be a good test for both sides.
Random fact about Exeter?
One of our famous fans is Chris Martin, the lead singer of the popular music band ‘Coldplay’.
Do you support/like any other clubs other than Exeter, why?
I guess I look out for the results of Yeovil Town because it’s always a good ‘away day’ and I have a few friends who support them.
Proudest moment as a supporter of Exeter?
It’s not always easy to support Exeter I’ll admit but that’s part of the ‘ride’. During my ten years as a ‘City’ supporter I’d say both play off semi finals and wins against the ‘scum’ (Argyle). They are all games and days that stand out.
What is your opinion of this weekend’s visitors, Tranmere Rovers?
Tramere have always ‘liked’ playing against us but in honesty they have some of the best fans I’ve seen particularly at this level. They are very well drilled and are simply too big for league two so I’m backing the ‘SWA’ for an instant return to league one.
I would like to thank Jamie Dyer for his time answering the questions that I placed towards him, this league encounter should be an interesting occasion and I hope that readers enjoyed this Q+A.
This Tuesday, Tranmere Rovers head to Greater Manchester for a league encounter against the in-form Oldham Athletic. This will be Keith Hill’s first away game as manager of the ‘whites’ and his aim will be to add another victory to the current amazing run of seven consecutive wins. If Rovers manage to add three points to their current total, they could see themselves placed in the playoffs. Thus, this is certainly a must win encounter against a good opposition.
Stefan Payne will remain unavailable for this league encounter as the forward continues his recovery from a relevantly recent groin operation.
There is also a doubt of the Celtic loanee full-back being available. Lee O’Connor missed Friday night’s FA Cup tie with a slight knock and will be assessed ahead of the midweek trip to Greater Manchester.
However, there is good news in the defensive ranks as Liam Ridehalgh returned to action in the game that O’Connor was unavailable for. He should be fit to start.
Oldham are managed by former Leeds and Liverpool star Harry Kewell, the Australian was appointed in August becoming the club’s fifth manager in the past twelve months replacing Dino Maamria.
Last season, the ‘latics’ finished 19th and their hopeful aim must now be to mount a playoff push.
In the summer, the Greater Manchester club had a great change of squad members. The defensive ranks was boosted by the signings of former Tranmere full-back Cameron Borthwick-Jackson and the experienced centre half Carl Piergianni.
Up front, Conor McAleny was signed from Fleetwood Town on a free transfer and he has certainly shown his quality so far as he is the current top goalscorer with eight in thirteen appearances. He is certainly one to keep an eye on this week if he is named on the team sheet, which I’m sure he will be.
However, his team’s start to the season hasn’t been as impressive as his start at a new club. They see themselves placed seventeenth after fourteen games with five victories and two draws. They will be hopeful of adding to this on Tuesday night.
My predictions prior to this fixture, my hopes are high but realistic:
Line up; Davies, O’Connor, Clarke, Monthe, Macdonald, Spearing, Morris, Khan, Feeney, Vaughan, Blackett-Taylor
Scoreline; Oldham 1 Tranmere 2
Did you know –
It was in Tranmere’s second recorded meeting with Oldham Athletic, that a name would enter Rovers folklore. This match took place on boxing day 1935.
Birkenhead-born forward Bunny Bell netted nine times in the ‘whites’ 13-4 win against their visitors. He even had the chance to make this a tenth, but unfortunately missed a penalty.
The goalscorer would eventually leave Tranmere for Everton, after scoring 102 in 114 appearances. However, the outbreak of the second world war effectively ended his career.
Bell is remembered by Tranmere with a bar inside their Prenton Park stadium named after him.
This game will start at 7pm and spectators can watch this exciting encounter via IFollow.
If you enjoyed this match preview and would like to read more, below is a link to my Q+A with an Oldham Athletic supporter. Find out his thoughts on his club at the moment as well as his opinions on Tranmere, amongst other subjects, here …
On Tuesday night, Oldham Athletic will host Tranmere in a league two encounter. With that in mind, I placed questions towards ‘latics’ fan @1rhysparsons. I thought it would be interesting to see the thoughts of a fan who’s club will soon face Keith Hill’s ‘superwhites’, to see their opinions of Tranmere and their opinion on the state of their club at the moment; amongst other subjects.
How long have you been a supporter of Oldham and how did you discover the club?
I first discovered the club whilst playing for my local Saturday team as we had the opportunity to go on the pitch at half-time during the Oldham vs Carlisle match in 2011. I loved every bit about it and since then have been a Latic! My first season ticket however was in the 13/14 season.
Where did Oldham finish last season?
It was a poor campaign last season as we finished 19th in League Two.
What are your thoughts on your current manager?
At first I wasn’t a fan of the appointment but recently the team seems to have gelled and Kewell is finally getting us to winning ways. We’re 6 points off the play-offs at the moment so I’m hoping Kewell can carry on the team’s top form.
What are your expectations for this season?
At first I honestly thought it was our time to delve into Non-League but I’m hoping that we push on now and aim high, I’ll certainly take the play-offs!
Which one player is your danger man, why?
Danny Rowe has shown recently his pure class scoring from all over the place in recent fixtures including a 35 yard cross goal screamer in the cup and an absolute rocket of a freekick against Exeter from about 45 yards. I’m hoping he can start scoring the ‘easy’ chances and we’ll have the top goalscorer in the league come the end of the season.
What is your score prediction for the game against Tranmere?
I think it’ll be a good game, both teams are on great form. However, we’ve not really hit the ground running at home. I’ll take a point and go 1-1!
Random fact about Oldham ? (Famous fans, something about the town etc)
Oldham have gone the longest in the 92 without something to celebrate e.g Winning the cup, promotion or winning the league.
Do you support/like any other clubs other than Oldham, why?
Oldham’s the only team for me! However I do look out for the results of teams that ex Latics players are currently playing for just to see how they’re getting on. I also keep an eye out on Watford due to family supporting them but the only club I support is Oldham Athletic!
Proudest moment as a supporter of Oldham?
My proudest moment has to be beating Premier League side Fulham in the FA Cup round 3. The best day of my life for sure!
What is your opinion of Tranmere Rovers?
Tranmere for sure have a great fan base, I always love the fixtures between us as the atmosphere is always top notch!
I would like to thank Rhys Parsons for his time answering the questions that I placed towards him, this league encounter should be an interesting occasion and I hope that readers enjoyed this Q+A.
