Tranmere have the confidence factor

ATHLETIC will be hoping recent form is thrown out of the window when Tranmere rock up to Boundary Park on Saturday.

Les Parry’s attacking outfit come into the npower League One clash on the back of a highly-creditable 1-1 draw with title favourites Charlton at Prenton Park, while Athletic are licking their wounds from a 5-0 loss at MK Dons.

Stoke loanee Ryan Brunt struck his first goal for Tranmere and is likely to be handed another start this weekend on the right-hand side of a forward three.

Tranmere goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams, the former Stockport County stopper, has set his sights on another good day at the office.

He said: “It was a good result and performance against Charlton, so hopefully we can take that into Saturday’s game at Oldham, build on it again and get another positive result.”

However, things have not gone according to plan for Parry’s men this term.

They sit one place and a point below Athletic, and have played three more matches than Paul Dickov’s side, who will be looking to pull away from the chasing pack at the wrong end of the table.

Goals have been hard to come by — dangerman Adam McGurk tops their scoring charts with five.

Big things were expected of one-time Athletic transfer target Jose Baxter during his spell on loan from Everton, but he left with just three goals to his name.

In what is sure to be a fiery encounter on Saturday as both teams aim to pick up vital points and avoid a nervy run-in, Tranmere skipper John Welsh will relish a midfield scrap.

The tough-tackler has already totted up seven yellow cards since the campaign got under way.

Tranmere (probable): Owain Fon Williams; Danny Holmes, Ian Goodison, Ash Taylor, David Buchanan; James Wallace, John Welsh, Robbie Weir; Ryan Brunt, Adam McGurk, Martin Devaney.