Tranmere have some pretty big problems right now, perhaps none bigger than their away form. With eight consecutive away defeats in all competitions, Rovers are overly reliant on their form at home – which is also problematic, but we will worry about that again next week.
You have to go all the way back to mid-October to find Rovers’ last league win on the road, a 2-1 success down at Bromley. That’s one of only two league wins away from Prenton Park during this campaign, the other coming at hapless Carlisle United.
Our entire record away from home this season is the worst in League Two, unsurprisingly, with just two wins and two draws returning a tally of six points. We’ve only scored nine goals in our 14 league away games and have conceded a whopping 31.
It’s pathetic, but let’s not pretend this is something new.
Since Nigel Adkins took charge of first team affairs following Ian Dawes’ dismissal in September 2023, Rovers have played 33 league matches away from home. We’ve won only seven of those, drawing five.
We’ve lost a ridiculous 21 from those 33 away games. It’s an abysmal record which also boasts a goal difference of -30 across those 33 fixtures, 32 goals scored, 62 conceded.
On average, under Adkins, we concede 1.87 goals per game. Having built one of the most goal-shy Tranmere teams in living memory, that presents somewhat of an issue.
Time for leaders
One thing that is stark in its absence this season is the lack of leadership on the field. Despite having a squad which contains a fair number of well-travelled pros, for all that supposed experience, the majority of those seasoned pros are at the very heart of what’s wrong.
Shambolic performances, ill discipline and an utter lack of on-field responsibility has been a hallmark of a dismal season so far. The likes of Davies, Turnbull and Finley, among the worst culprits.
As Tranmere fans, we don’t ask for much. We may not attract the most talented players to Prenton Park, but if we get hard work, honesty, passion and professionalism, we will back you and treat you like a superstar.
Instead, we see petulant red cards, half-hearted challenges and individual performances that wouldn’t look out of place two or three tiers below League Two.
It’s time to stand up and set an example. Put an arm around the young lads and use the experience to drag your teammates through this.
More importantly, drag the club through this.
Tomorrow’s clash with Salford is going to be tough, to say the least, but what better platform for this squad to go out and prove they have the guts, determination and quality to get us out of this.
Team news
Rovers still have a host of absentees through injury, with the likes of Luke Norris, Brad Walker and Regan Henry all sidelined. However, Cameron Norman and Decland Drysdale are available again following their red cards at Swindon recently.
Young Blackburn Rovers midfielder Jake Garrett may make his first start for following his brief debut in the defeat to Colchester. Deadline day signings Sam Mather and Louis Jackson are in contention for a debut.
