Ahead of Pools’ trip to Prenton Park this weekend, Jacob Hackett spoke to Tranmere Rovers analyst TrfcStatto to get the inside scoop on the Super White Army’s season so far and what to expect from Saturday’s clash.
Q: How would you reflect on Tranmere’s season so far?
A: “So far it has been a very disappointing season, we had a summer transfer window which was quite mixed with us making some marquee signings in Ethan Bristow, Jordan Turnbull and Dynel Simeu who was recalled to Southampton in January, however some signings like Ross Doohan, Neill Byrne and Reece McAlear failed with them either having left the club or in Reece’s case, out on loan.
We have really lacked consistency as we had a slow start, then picked up from winning five league games on the trot including wins against teams like Salford, Walsall and Barrow.
It still feels like there is a slim chance we get going but it is going to take some momentum.”
Q: Who have been your standout players this season?
A: “The standout players this season have to be our full-backs Ethan Bristow and Josh Dacres-Cogley, in my opinion the best full backs in the league. Jordan Turnbull and Tom Davies [are also standout players] after the departure of Dynel Simeu, he filled his spot very well after just coming back from an injury.
Q: Where do you expect to finish this season?
A: “This season I think with the right set of results in our upcoming matches we can make a push for play-offs, but that is down to the consistency. We seem to lack it every year just like last season where we had a collapse from sitting six points clear of play-offs in second place to finishing ninth. Being optimistic, I would say a seventh place finish could be possible.
Q: How do you recall the reverse fixture between Tranmere and Hartlepool?
A: “The reverse fixture this season was quite a strange one, no team properly looked like scoring as both teams defences looked solid and not letting any goals through. Josh Umerah seemed a massive handful for our defence who coped well with him whilst our attack seemed quite quiet that game.
Q: What is your prediction for the match this Saturday?
A: “My prediction for the match on Saturday is a 3-1 Tranmere win.”