Tranmere Rovers vs Bromley preview
If you believe the rumour mill, Tranmere Rovers are subject to a takeover bid from a consortium that includes A$AP Rocky.
You could be forgiven for not knowing who that is, but he is a successful rapper in his own right, although he is perhaps more famous for being Rihanna’s other half.
Anywho, the American investment consortium that he is allegedly part of is getting heavy rotation in the news as current owner Mark Palios tries to sell the club.
While there’s optimism off the pitch, Tranmere are in free fall on it.
They haven’t won in twelve games, and two weeks ago they sacked their beleaguered manager Nigel Adkins.
The sacking was long overdue, and with Rovers now only one point above the bottom two, takeover or not, they could find themselves back in the National League come season's end.
They have entered squeaky bum time.
Bizarrely, even though Tranmere have only won six games all season, one of those was against Bromley. That was arguably the Ravens’ worst performance of the season because it was clear then that Tranmere were a subpar side.
That said, interim gaffer Andy Crosby has got a bit of a tune out of them. In their last two games, Tranmere have drawn with promotion-contenders Grimsby and Port Vale.
However, a study of their statistics and trends outlines the tough task that Crosby (and possibly whoever comes in next) faces in trying to save Tranmere from relegation.
They have scored the fewest number of goals in the league, conceded the most, and created the fewest number of big chances.
In a throw of the dice, they made some January additions. Sam Mather and Louis Jackson joined on loan from Manchester United and Jake Garrett joined on loan from Blackburn Rovers. However, these arrivals seem to be depth additions rather than starters.
It means that if Crosby is to save them from the drop, it will largely have to be with the same players that got them in trouble in the first place.
Following Bromley’s heroic performance on Tuesday, it is almost certain that Carl Jenkinson will be sidelined by the injury he sustained in that game. Who will replace him?
There is no sign that any of the club’s injured cohort will be back, so Andy Woodman is likely to have to ask a relatively unchanged XI to go back to the mountain top.
Don’t get it twisted. Just because Tranmere have been bad this season does not make the encounter a certain win for Bromley.
If the players have recovered from Tuesday’s epic battle then Bromley will start as favourites. But Tranmere are fighting for their lives and will take advantage of heavy legs.
Will Andy rotate to keep things fresh? If so, who would you bring in and why?
From Bromley with Love XI
Smith
Grant Elerewe Sowunmi Mayor
Arthurs Thompson
Congreve Whitely Ilunga
Cheek
Please note all match photographs in this article are by Martin Greig - please follow him on Instagram here
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Tranmere have been a tough nut to crack for us , they were seen as big hitters in National league & I remember celebrating a draw there like a win. They looked poor at Hayes Lane but won as Bromley failed to take chances & Omar was looking shaky back then before he got to full fitness.