Tranmere Rovers 2014-15... Sky Bet League 2 Champions and FA Cup WINNERS

  • Thread starter Thread starter liquefry
  • Start date Start date
  • Replies Replies 288
  • Views Views 72K
The corner comes in to the near post, which is filled with Tranmere players. Sweeney claims the ball
View attachment 325716

But he cant control it, and it dribbles out wide. Chalobah is quickest to react, and claims the ball for Chelsea. Coman is next to him in space and with a better angle...
View attachment 325716

Coman squares to Ramires on the spot
View attachment 325715

fon Williams makes an acrobatic save, but there are lots of Blues right there
View attachment 325714

Somehow he manages to palm the save back to his left where we have Chalobah and 4 Tranmere defenders.
View attachment 325713

Chalobah almost gets there, but Sweeney makes an excellent sliding tackle to claim the ball. Billing clears to safety. Phew
View attachment 325712
 
30th minute, another free kick to Tranmere. Towell has the ball a way out.
View attachment 325711

He can't see a good option ahead, and plays back to Sweeney in centre defence. Sweeney takes the ball and allows Towell to advance off the ball. He passes back to Towell, who plays a quick one towards Billing in a good position
View attachment 325708
Billing sees Donacien charging on the right, and sprays it out that way
View attachment 325707

Donacien floats a cross in dangerously towards the near post. This is where Chelsea are vulnerable, but is Stockton up to it?
View attachment 325706

Stockton rises and meets the ball, goal just there...


View attachment 325705

He knocks it on, but grazes the bar. Oh, millimetres away! Chelsea clear again
View attachment 325704
 
A couple of long shots over the next period, nothing either keeper has trouble with.

44th minute. Galloway disposses Coman in the midfield. Not much on in front really.
View attachment 325703

He floats a pass down the left for Stockton.
View attachment 325702

The Chelsea defender misread that, and is now chasing the game. Stockton is clear through!
View attachment 325701

The ball floats past his right shoulder, and Stockton is charging. He knows he doesnt have the pace to take it all the way in, but he has space now and that's all that counts.
View attachment 325700

The defence closes in

View attachment 325699

But Stockton cleverly stops the ball, and the defender charges past. He winds up...
View attachment 325698

He beats Cech, but is way off target.
View attachment 325697

Chelsea still safe, its 0:0 at half time.
 
Great performance by Tranmere, they have had the better of play and great chances.

View attachment 325696

The players are all going ok, although Teixeira and Stockton's ratings are down. I think Stockton's is a bit harsh, he's been getting into position but the Chelsea defence has been hassling him effectively. fon Williams has the highest rating on the team after his great save, but I think the attack has been better than the ratings suggest.

View attachment 325695
 
56 minutes, Fabregas comes on for Coman. Pretty decent switch. I decide to bring on Cotterill for Teixeira, maybe some extra pace will help.
 
58th minute, Hazard decides to take a run on the right. Barbosa has the pace to keep up but can't make a tackle.
View attachment 325694

He runs to the corner, then puts in a mean cross which Aboubakar rises above Daniels to meet.
View attachment 325693

fon Williams makes a fingertip save
View attachment 325692

but the ball bounces back to Aboubakar. Surely he will score from here.
View attachment 325691

Yep, he knocks it in. Chelsea 1:0! The fans are shouting at the boys to pick themselves up.
 
77th minute, Donacien is injured. I wanted to bring on another attacking player but will have to replace him with young Sweeney.

View attachment 325690

"I have faith" makes him happy and he runs out to join in. Can we do the impossible from here?
 
Nope, the boys run out of ideas and go for the long ball from deep. It doesnt work the first time, nor the second, third, etc! After a tense first period Chelsea shut up shop and the game finishes 1:0 to them. Our run is at an end.
 
Should probably have pulled Stockton in the second period, he went backwards. Nkoulou is PotM in recognition of his role in blocking Tranmere's attacking play throughout

View attachment 325689

Chelsea really outplayed us in the second half, they evened up the attacking stats.
View attachment 325688
 
The team is a little down after taking the game to Chelsea, and the next match is a blowout against Fulham. After an early goal to Tranmere, Fulham absolutely dominated the game.

View attachment 325683

I'll need to have a team chat to bring them back up after this and get them going for the rest of the season.
 
I gather the team together.

"Boys, this has been a great season so far, we've done really well. Our run in the cup was spectacular, and we are holding first place in the Championship in our first season. It's been a fantastic effort by each of you.

The end of the tunnel is getting closer, and the Premiership is at the other end of it. We've all dreamed of playing in the big time, and we've shown that we are no pushovers. We're very nearly there.

But we're not there yet. I want you to kick on from here and make our promotion certain. Get out there next weekend and show everyone that you have what it takes to finish what we've started, and send some shockwaves through the Premier League teams. We want them to know that we'll be a force to be reckoned with next year."

That has the desired effect...

View attachment 325679
 
View attachment 325674

Yes! We keep the celebrations to a minimum as the season is not totally over yet. Although we would need to lose every game from here to not make champions, 19 points out with 7 games to play. One more win will seal it.

View attachment 325673

The transfer budget has been set at 21 million, I can live with that. Wages are 155k.
 
We take time off from training to crowd into the game prep room. We've got the big screen set up with the Burnley-Norwich game. Norwich needs to win to stay in the hunt for the title.

At half time, it's 0:0 and noone is all that worried - even if Norwich pulls out a win here they are hardly in the rampaging form they need to win the rest of their games. The mood in the room is jovial, and Dave Watson decides to lead a round of the team song. They are really enjoying their success and Dave knows how to tap into that mood, I employed him as my assistant for his man management and motivational skills, and he is great at keeping the dressing rooms happy. Winning also helps of course!

Kick off for the second half and someone breaks out some popcorn. Our fitness coach Ross Preston is less than impressed, but he's willing to look aside. At least they didnt add butter, it's not too unhealthy!

At the 82nd minute, Burnley scores. The room erupts. It stays 1:0 to the end of the game and we're hugging, tears are in some players eyes. Most of them never dreamed they'd be in the Premier League, and we've not only done that, we're Champions for the third year running!

After a while I sit back and watch the party unfurl. I really should step in and remind them we're playing a game tomorrow, but noone really cares. That's a problem for later. Right now, I'm going to let them enjoy their success. Well done lads, well done.View attachment 325669
 
Is that 155k extra to spend wages?

I think it means that the total wages bill each week should be 155k. That's only 8 million in the year, which is about 1/3rd the amount of the lowest teams in the Premier league. Might be an issue but the aim for next season will be to stay up, and then build from the extra money a Premier League season brings.
 
I think it means that the total wages bill each week should be 155k. That's only 8 million in the year, which is about 1/3rd the amount of the lowest teams in the Premier league. Might be an issue but the aim for next season will be to stay up, and then build from the extra money a Premier League season brings.
How much do you spend atm?
 
Back
Top