Wirral's independent local news website
It’s the final game of a hectic and underwhelming season for Tranmere Rovers, and they can have a big say on the promotion race as they host Northampton Town, who currently occupy third place.
Ian Dawes has recently been appointed manager at Rovers, and with it has brought unprecedented resentment, as well as rejuvenated hope, and although Dawes isn’t the popular choice, it’s one that the fans need to support going into the new season.
Going into the final day, Rovers are going into the clash three games unbeaten and have shown against promotion-challenging teams, they can cause great upset, so coming up against the side in pole position for automatic promotion, they’ll look to do that.
Coming up against Northampton will be no slouch for Rovers, with the Cobblers boasting one of the division’s best away records, but they need to bounce back soon as predictably, their momentum would have been hindered after dramatically losing out to Bradford.
With Stockport ready to pounce on every move, Northampton need to put it to bed and they can do with victory on the Wirral.
Players To Watch
Sam Hoskins (Northampton)
Barring an extraordinary Andy Cook season, Sam Hoskins has also had a clinical campaign, with 21 goals to his name.
A Cobbler since 2015-16, he’d never hit any real heights until this season, and now his 20+ goals could see the Cobblers promoted to League One.
He hasn’t scored many of late, but Monday would be the perfect time for him to hit back and net an all important goal.
Harvey Saunders (Tranmere)
After a slow start as a Tranmere player, with goals hard to come by at the start, Saunders had always had a work ethic and was an energetic spark in the Tranmere attack, but all he lacked was the end product.
Scoring his first against Colchester after pouncing on a mistake, Saunders has netted three times in six outings, so he’s now a man reborn after finally finding his scoring boots.
He, like his squad, will be hoping that going into the final round of fixtures, he can extend to his already recent healthy goal return.
Head-to-Head Record
2022-23: Northampton 0-0 Tranmere
2021-22: Northampton 3-2 Tranmere
2018-19: Tranmere 1-2 Northampton
Managers
Jon Brady (Northampton)
The Australian international is on another promotion charge with the Cobblers this season, after agonisingly missing out last year.
He started his trade as a manager at Brackley Town, where he spent numerous years before taking a break from the game.
He joined Northampton in 2021 and acted just missing out on promotion last season, this season looks to be heading for a well overdue promotion.
Ian Dawes (Tranmere)
The Liverpool-born coach had always played football locally after being cut from Liverpool and Everton as a youth, but his first managerial job was in Malta, becoming manager of Floriana.
He then moved on to various clubs as coach until he joined Welsh side Bangor City as manager.
From then, he’s had many spells as caretaker boss at Tranmere Rovers, and his latest one is coming to a close after he took over the departing Micky Mellon.
Image: Tranmere Rovers
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