Advertisement
Parry sparks lift in Rovers return
Reporter: MATTHEW CHAMBERS
Date online: 20 January 2010
Tranmere thriving as new boss makes his mark
THE omens are positive for Athletic ahead of their Tranmere Rovers test tonight (7.45).
The side from the Wirral have been put to the sword four times in the last five meetings of the clubs.
And the only defeat in that sequence arrived in March of last year, amid the carnival celebrations surrounding the return of Joe Royle as Athletic manager after a 15-year absence from the club.
The influence of Royle, in a caretaker capacity at his spiritual home following the sacking of previous incumbent John Sheridan, could not prevent Rovers seeing off Athletic 2-0 in front of a crowd of 7,489.
What the owners would do for a repeat show of that support tonight, if not the result.
A lack of home games – Athletic have only played once at Boundary Park since the first day of December – has had a severe impact on cash flow at the club, with the estimated losses from the period of inactivity estimated to be as high as £100,000.
Athletic boss Dave Penney would certainly be grateful for increased backing given that his charges are so desperate for points following a sequence of just one win in their last 10 competitive fixtures.
Goals from Deane Smalley and on-loan Paul Heffernan — a forward Penney would like to get back, but who is currently involved on the fringes of a Doncaster team hit by injuries — saw off Exeter City on December 12, the last occasion on which Athletic trotted out on home soil.
Since then, the team have managed to play only twice due to four weather-related postponements, including the Tranmere game, which should have taken place on Boxing Day.
Athletic drew 2-2 at Wycombe Wanderers, a game which saw the team throw away a great chance of three points at Adams Park after dominating until the latter stages.
And up at a seriously-cold Victoria Park in Hartlepool, the late introduction of attacking trio Pawel Abbott, Nick Blackman and Chris Taylor almost forced a draw after the visitors had found themselves 2-0 down at half-time.
Abbott scored what turned out to be a consolation goal with an 88th-minute header, his seventh of the campaign.
The striker's importance to the cause can be measured by the fact that no other Athletic player has more than two goals to his name this season.
Tranmere, meanwhile, have blossomed lately under the guidance of new manager Les Parry.
The former club physio, appointed following the sacking of managerial pair John Barnes and Jason McAteer and assisted by former Athletic centre-back Shaun Garnett, has enjoyed a decent start to his managerial career at Prenton Park, tasting defeat in just two of his last nine matches in all competitions.
In Tranmere's last outing on January 2, only a Matt Jarvis goal 13 minutes from time enabled Premier League side Wolves to pick up a 1-0 away win which saw them reach the FA Cup fourth round.
Comments
Stick a sock in it Oldham Scotland...it's a cold, Wednesday night, so what do you expect?
Btw, it's up to Penney to find the striker...not the directors.
Positive as ever OS! Scotland the best place for you.
Really looking forward to tonights game. Will be listening in on LPlayer.
Statement of intent has been made regarding Heffernan and it will depend on the payment terms of the O'Grady deal just how much is available NOW to lure him from Doncaster ahead of deadline.
OLDHAM SCOTLAND - "estimated losses from the period of inactivity estimated to be as high as £100,000."
Who exactly do you think covered this cost, the tooth fairy!!
Yet again demonstrated you inability to grasp the concepts of reality, and perhaps you should make the crowd 3999 by staying away BP yourself.
"estimated losses from the period of inactivity estimated to be as high as £100,000."
Mad4it reality is they bought a club they cannot really afford to run, and do you think other clubs have not suffered, and even Rochdale managed to find some funds to buy a player!!!, but i would put it like this that next season when Rochdale go up they will be a bigger and better club than us, a team that play attractive football, directors who are investing and, four sides to their ground, along with a goal keeper who can do his job, with strikers that know where the net is etc etc.
Mad4it are you getting the picture yet why many fans are becomming fed up and angry, or is it that rochdale are a team with bigger crowds than us etc? of course not its you that needs to smell the coffee.
Just what is it about so called "Oldham Scotland"?! I must admit this sad sad person beats the lot for doom mongering.
OLDHAM SCOTLAND - You know, i feel sorry for you, it must get boring swimming around in your little fish bowl world, and the limited stimulation, must be the reason you continue to spout the same old drivel.
Dave Penney NOT the TTA, are the reason we are in this mess, we're in - he promised us attacking football, and a team of hungry young players and who does he sign .....
Have Your Say
I bet there will not be 7,000 tonight, more like 4,000 if they are lucky, and our free spending directors have yet to find us another striker loan or otherwise, because suddenly all our problems are solved with the return of taylor and abbott what a joke!
By OLDHAM SCOTLAND @ 20/01/2010 11:57:38