Exeter vs Rovers
Friday 18th September, 2009
By Richard Ault

Tranmere make the long hike down to Exeter on Saturday desperate to record their first win on the road this season.  New winger Sebastien Carole is in the squad, though there are doubts over other key members.

Did you hear the one about the Frenchman and the Grenadian?

Well it's no joke for boss John Barnes.  New boys Kithson Bain and Sebastien Carole could be forgiven for wondering just what they have got themselves into.  Barnes' latest two signings are perhaps the most key he will make in his entire career - if they, along with their team mates, don't bring something back from Exeter, some believer it could spell the end of his tenure as Tranmere boss.

Well that's what you'd be inclined to think.  Already on our worst run of form since the early 1970's, defeat again this weekend would mean it's be seven straight defeats, the first time that's happened since the 1938/39 season, a time when Even Knievel hadn't even contemplated taking his first steps and the dust was settling after British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain agreed a "peace to Europe" pact with Adolf Hitler.

Yet another defeat is surely unthinkable.

Grecians danger men

People may argue that Tranmere "have a decent squad on paper", I may be inclined to agree with them.  That could possibly said for Exeter as well.  The stand-out name on their squad list would probably be veteran Marcus Stewart.  Once a prolific goalscorer in the Premiership, albeit briefly, Stewart has drifted back down the leagues in recent years.  He had an extremely influential spell at Yeovil Town as the Glovers flirted with promotion to the Championship, but he signed for Exeter just over a year ago and helped the Grecians to automatic promotion instead.

Tranmere fans may recognise the name Barry Corr too - he came off the bench to score the winner for Swindon against Rovers at the County Ground during the 2007/08 season.  Also amongst their ranks are on-loan Charlton Athletic striker Stuart Fleetwood, ex-Bristol City defender Joe Burnell and former Yeovil man Adam Stansfield - no relation to Lisa.

Veteran scouse play-maker Alex Russell is also one to watch.  Formerly of Torquay and Bristol City, he knows his way around the Football League.

Form

Exeter: D W L L D
Tranmere: L L L L L 

Team news

Seb Carole ix expected to go straight into the starting line-up for his debut, possibly on the left wing allowing Alan Mahon to finally get a game through the middle at the expense of Welsh or McLaren.  Ian-Thomas Moore is a doubt, as is goalkeeper Luke Daniels.