Rovers need reaction against old rivals
Tuesday 25th August, 2009
By Richard Ault

Tranmere host old rivals Bolton Wanderers in the Carling Cup second round on Tuesday night, desperately looking to put Saturday's horror show at Leeds behind them.

The history

Nobody will really need an introduction into the rivalry that exists, or certainly used to exist, between these two clubs.  Think John Aldridge, Dave Challinor, Big Fat Sam, John McGinlay, Chris Malkin.  Those kind of names are synonymous with fixtures between the sides of days gone by - who will make their name this year?

The last time the two sides met in competitive action, a belter from Iain Hume gave Rovers and extra-time win in the FA Cup third round replay in January 2004.  Eugene Dadi also scored that night, that infamous photo of him lifting his shirt to reveal a message for stricken team mate Simon Haworth - HAWORTH 9 - one of the everlasting memories of that nights at the Reebok.  Haworth had badly broken his leg in two places a few days earlier, and sadly the Welsh forward was later forced to retire.

On to more cheery subjects, and what a strange night this will be for Alan Mahon.  The young Dubliner returned to Prenton Park this summer on a free from Burnley, returning to where his career kicked off over a decade ago.  He was on the score sheet in the semi-final second leg win over Wanderers in the 1999/2000 Worthington Cup run, and now just weeks after returning to Birkenhead, he will re-live that fixture.  Gone will be the histrionics, the capacity crowd or the touchline antics though.  This promises to be a much more sombre occasion, let's hope for a similar result though.

One last thing to note for this one.  Jason McAteer, Rovers' assistant manager, also faces the club at which he sprung to prominence at an early age in his career.  Another interesting sub-plot for tonight's fixture.

What to expect this year

It's of little surprise that some bookies are offering as much as 10/3 on Rovers to repeat their feat of beating Bolton in the league cup tonight.  Saturday's pounding at Leeds - a game in which a 3-0 score line didn't do the hosts justice - has done Rovers' confidence no favours, whilst the fans have suddenly left the optimistic feeling behind and slumped into a bit of a negative mindset.  Who can blame them after the weekend though.

It's not just John Barnes feeling the pressure though.  Bolton boss Gary Megson, another with a bit of history with Tranmere due to a few fall-outs with John Aldridge during his management days at Stockport, could be pushed to the brink of being sacked if his side comes a cropper at Prenton Park.  With Liverpool to come on Saturday for Wanderers, it could be a tricky week for him as well.

Pre-match quotes

Gary Megson, Bolton Wanderers manager:

"We want to do well in every competition that we compete in, be it the League, FA Cup or the Carling cup.”

"We have no doubt that Tranmere will be a tough proposition. John Barnes has come in and they'll be looking to get a result so we have to be ready from the off."

John Barnes, Tranmere manager:

"It's an important match for us because it's in the cup and we want to have a good cup run. There's history between Tranmere and Bolton in this competition but it doesn't matter as far as I'm concerned. This is a new Bolton team with a new manager and it's a new Tranmere team with a new manager. We have to stop Bolton playing when they have the ball. If we don't concentrate and we're not strong when we're out of possession then they'll make us pay."

Form (league and cup)

Tranmere: L W W L L 
Bolton: L L

Team news

Gavin Gunning is cup tied whilst Marlon Broomes and ex-Bolton man Michael Ricketts are struggling for fitness. Ricketts will be on the bench though.  John Barnes must surely be tempted to make more changes after the weekend performance.

Bolton will start with Johan Elmander upfront, the Swedish striker going into the game after being given anything-but a vote of confidence by Megson.  The £10million signing has been told to "step up to the plate" and start scoring some goals.

Bolton full-back Gretar Steinsson plays after recovering from a virus, though they will again be without Ricardo Gardner, Joey O'Brien and Ricardo Vaz Te through injury.