Return Of The Mick

With Mick Wadsworth confirmed as Hartlepool boss until the end of the season, Nobes looks at other managers who've made a return to the game after a long absence.

Mick Wadsworth was last in charge of a League club back in 2003

The longer you're gone, the harder it is to return. So goes the theory when it comes to football management.

Stay on the sidelines rather than the touchline, and you'll soon disappear altogether - doomed to some kind of coaching or scouting role or, even worse, a TV pundit.

However, seven years after leaving his last League manager's job at Huddersfield - albeit he had a brief spell in charge at Non League Chester - Mick Wadsworth is back in management at Hartlepool.

After a successful spell as caretaker following the resignation of Chris Turner, the 60-year-old has been handed the reins until the end of the season with the, long-overdue realistic, brief of keeping Pools in League One.

It's an unexpected opportunity for the Yorkshireman, who has never managed to follow up initial success at Carlisle in the '90s at the likes of Colchester, Oldham, and Scarborough.

However, he's not the only manager to make a return after time away. Here's my top-10 rundown of some of football's returnees - and how successful they were on their comeback.


10. Nigel Spackman

Spackman was fired from his job at Barnsley in 2001 with the Reds struggling towards the foot of the Championship.

He spent the next five years working as a TV pundit but, in 2006, was the surprise choice as new boss at Millwall.

The Lions had been relegated to League One and Spackman rebuilt the squad during the summer.

A slow start saw the 49-year-old sacked with the Londoners near the foot of the table.

Verdict: A long time out of the game was followed by a brief and hugely unsuccessful return to the dugout. Best to stick to the TV studio in the future.


9. Gary Peters

The Londoner led the renaissance of Preston North End when the Lancashire club had been toiling in the basement division.

However, he was exiled from management for five years after leaving Deepdale in 1998.

On his return he walked into the mess at Exeter City - fighting for survival in the Football League.

Despite an almost miraculous end of season run, he was unable to save the Grecians from the drop and departed weeks later.

Verdict: Did extremely well to almost save Exeter and then went on to guide Shrewsbury to within 90 minutes of League One in 2007 before being harshly sacked soon after. A proven lower league manager.


8. Bryan Hamilton

After ending a second spell in charge at Wigan in 1993, Hamilton took over as national team manager of Northern Ireland.

He spent four years in that role and was out of the game for another couple until gaining a surprise return at Norwich in 2000.

The Canaries were struggling in the Championship and Hamilton steadied the ship. However, before the end of the year he had resigned his position.

Verdict: Instantly forgettable return to club management following an undistinguished spell in the international game. Management days are well behind now, which is why he's working in the media.


7. Gary Johnson

Johnson earned his reputation leading Yeovil from the Conference to League One at the start of the last decade.

However, he had first sampled League management at Cambridge United before departing in 1995.

After a brief spell at Kettering he then moved abroad - taking charge of the Latvian national team and laying the foundations that saw them qualify for Euro 2004.

He returned to England at Yeovil in 2001, winning promotion with them in 2003 - and managing in the League again a full eight years after his last crack.

Verdict: The time away worked. He thrived on his return and after leaving Yeovil he subsequently guided Bristol City to promotion from League One and the Championship play off final. Now at Peterborough.


6. Kenny Jackett

First as a player and then later a coach, Jackett served under Graham Taylor at Watford before assuming the top job in 1996.

However, a poor League One campaign saw him relegated back to Taylor's assistant and he later had a spell as Ian Holloway's right hand man at QPR.

He returned to try his hand as the main man at Swansea in 2004 - and took the Welsh club to promotion in his first full season.

Twelve months later, he secured the Johnstone's Paint Trophy and only a penalty shoot out in the League One play off final prevented the Swans from making it successive promotions.

Verdict: Watching Millwall, it's not hard to see the influence of Taylor and Holloway on Jackett's style. However, he has proved successful in guiding both the Lions and Swansea to promotion as a manager. Deserves respect.


5. Brian Talbot

Talbot began the 1991/2 campaign as Aldershot boss - he was gone after a few months, and the club were as well not long after.

After time overseas in Malta he returned home to join the coaching staff at ambitious Rushden & Diamonds - eventually becoming manager in 1999.

Maybe it was those eight years away, or maybe it was the ridiculous money being spent, but he led Diamonds into the Football League in 2001 and two years later they were in the third tier.

Verdict: It was the money. Talbot's subsequent struggles at Oldham and Oxford were more illustrative of his managerial capabilities. In truth, he landed on his feet gaining the Rushden job when he did.


4. Nigel Pearson

Along with the help of one Jimmy Glass, Pearson helped rescue Carlisle from relegation to the Conference in 1999.

However, he didn't stay on at Brunton Park and instead spent the next nine years on the coaching staff at the likes of Stoke, West Brom, and Newcastle.

Once his next managerial role came along though - he once again found himself in a relegation scrap.

However, a final day escape act at Southampton in 2008 proved he hadn't lost his skills in brinkmanship.

Verdict: Left Saints that summer and then took Leicester to League One glory followed by the Championship play offs last season. Now at Hull, he seems to have benefited from learning his trade as an assistant.


3. John Barnes

Okay, I'll hold my hands up, Tranmere's appointment of Barnes last summer was not technically a Football League management return.

However, any chance to recount that hilarious decision - as well his legendary Soccer AM/MW status - must be taken.

Barnes was, of course, installed as part of a dream managerial ticket alongside Kenny Dalglish at Glasgow Celtic in 1999.

It turned into more of a nightmare, albeit a short-lived one. Much like his time at Prenton Park nine years later.

Verdict: First place in the 2008 Caribbean Championships as Jamaica coach will, you feel, always be the pinnacle of Barnes's managerial career. Tranmere's gamble was always doomed to fail - they were lucky it didn't cost them their League One spot.


2. Paul Hart

The proverbial London Bus boss, at one point Hart had to wait a full decade between managerial jobs but then got through three just last season.

Hart was fired from basement division Chesterfield in 1991 and reverted to youth team football at Leeds and then Nottingham Forest.

He got his chance at the top job at the City Ground in 2001 after the departure of David Platt and, after a slow start, guided Forest to the Championship play offs in 2003.

There, they lost to Sheffield United, and a dreadful sequence of results that left them fighting relegation the next season saw him dismissed.

Verdict: After Forest came Barnsley, then Rushden, then Portsmouth, QPR, and finally Crystal Palace. Hart has the dubious honour of being sacked from a club in each of the top five tiers. Best to stick to bringing through the youngsters.


1. Richard Money

When Richard Money left his job as Scunthorpe boss in 1994 he still had a full head of hair.

In-between then and his return to English football in 2006 at Walsall it had mostly gone.

Those 12 years away saw him work at Aston Villa and Coventry before moving abroad to Sweden and then Australia.

His appointment at the Saddlers was out of the blue - but, thanks to a resolute defence, he led the Black Country outfit to the League Two title in his first season.

Verdict: A stunning return to League management. More than a decade away, but Money instantly turned around Walsall's fortunes. Now at the helm of Conference side Luton, where he is once again plotting a promotion push.

Big Match Analysis - Tranmere 1 Plymouth 0

Our weekly analysis of our Big Match is back, with Turls reflecting upon the defending from both teams.

Tranmere Rovers 1-0 Plymouth Argyle

Saturday November 13, Prenton Park, (Att: 4,840)

Here we go again, cleaning up another mess that has been made by a bunch of sick, twisted, individuals. Just when you think you're out of the hole, another catastrophe happens and drags you back into the mire.

I want my holiday for crying out loud. I'm meant to be in the Bahamas, lapping up the rays and checking out the fine Bahaman ladies.* Instead, I find myself at Prenton Park, Tranmere, examining what's going wrong with the state of defending in English football.

Where shall we start? Well, in truth, this crime scene isn't as bad as some of the ones we've seen. For a start, there was only one goal. Makes me think that some of the managers and coaching staff in the Football League have been reading my wise words.

Actually, having just looked at the league table, it could just be down to the fact that both sides are pretty awful up top.

Tranmere Defending:

The goal didn't come until the hour mark, but there was the occasional example of sloppy defending.

Tranmere gave away a free kick on the half way line. Plymouth's Craig Noone took a quick free kick and slotted the ball straight down the middle of the pitch to Bradley Wright-Phillips.

The shot was saved well, but let's rewind the action back to the quick free kick. It was good thinking by Noone, but Tranmere should have had the presence of mind to deal with it.

They had enough bodies back when the ball was played to deal with such a simple ball down the middle. It was along the deck and wasn't going at a rate of knots, so it should have been cut out at some point.

However, that's not my main problem with the play. What I'm concerned with is, that when the free kick was given three Tranmere players were standing within five yards of each other and not one of them hurried to get back into position.

I'd be fuming to find so many of my team in close proximity to each other. The gap between the defence and the midfield was enormous and it was because of this that the goal almost came.

Plymouth Defending:

Tranmere hit back with a cross from deep on the left. Ian Thomas-Moore was able to bring the ball down without any pressure on him and lash it over the bar.

I don't know where to start. How can a striker have so much time and space to shoot inside the box? Plymouth weren't short on men and it wasn't like Tranmere had overloaded the box with attackers. They got lucky - it should have been a goal.

Still in the first half, and Dale Jennings picked the ball up on the half way line and went on a direct run towards Plymouth's goal. No one closed him down, no one pressured him, and he was allowed to shoot from distance.

It was a speculative effort and should have served as a warning to the Plymouth defence. It didn't.

Tranmere Rovers 1 Plymouth Argyle 0

Tranmere worked the ball around well before slipping it to Jennings on the left flank. The teenage sensation - it's required that all middle-of-the-road journalists refer to a teenager as that - picked the ball up.

He cut inside the right back - who was found to be a little square-on for my liking, and then proceeded to wander across the face of goal before putting the ball past the Plymouth keeper.

There is no doubting the quality of the goal, but if I were in the Plymouth dressing room after the match, I may well have got a tad upset. No one really pressured him and no one even gave the impression that they were planning on tackling him.

Conclusion:

Some other stuff did happen in the match, but it wasn't terrible defending - so I won't bore you with the details. In terms of defence, the put forward a good case, but they'll have to be a lot sharper before I let them go unpunished.


* If Turls's girlfriend happens to be reading this, then let it be known that he had no plans to check out any other women and only has eyes for you. Baby, you're his world.

Big Match Review - Tranmere 1 Plymouth 0

Tranmere Rovers 1-0 Plymouth Argyle

Saturday November 13, Prenton Park, (Att: 4,840)

A great individual goal from Tranmere's Daniel Jennings was enough to secure all three points for the home side as they moved out of League One's bottom four.

The visitors has the first opportunity when quick play released Bradley Wright-Phillips but he saw Rovers 'keeper Peter Gulacsi save his low shot.

Les Parry's men then almost took the lead themselves, with Ian Thomas-Moore's lob narrowly going over the bar.

When the deciding goal did come on the hour mark, however, it was in spectacular style.

Jennings picked up the ball just inside the Argyle half and set about a mazy run which saw him beat five Pilgrims players before slotting the ball past Roman Larrieu and into the bottom corner.

Peter Reid's side pressured for an equaliser and came close when Reda Johnson's header was cleared off the line as the hosts defended desperately to hold onto their advantage.

The win sees Tranmere move level on points with Argyle just outside the relegation zone with both sides still firmly under pressure.

Big Match Preview

Tranmere Rovers vs. Plymouth Argyle

Saturday November 13, 15:00, Prenton Park

Two sides who've had indifferent starts to their League One campaigns meet on the Wirral this weekend as Tranmere Rovers entertain Plymouth Argyle.

With just three points separating them in the bottom half, both managers will be aware this is a game they can't afford to lose.

For Tranmere, currently in the bottom four, it's looking like a second successive battle against the drop at Prenton Park.

Les Parry's men only survived on the final day of last season after the former physio was left to turn around a torrid start to the campaign under John Barnes.

However, they've struggled again this term, and last week exited the FA Cup at the first hurdle after a topsy-turvy 5-3 loss at Bournemouth.

Parry will be aware Tranmere's hopes of staying up will largely depend on their home form, where they've enjoyed mixed results to date.

Wins have been earned against MK Dons and Peterborough, but they've also been beaten at Prenton Park by Bournemouth, Brentford, and Oldham.

Once again, much rests on the shoulders of striker Ian Thomas-Moore who is joint top scorer with six alongside much-travelled summer signing Enoch Showunmi.

Peter Reid is battling to turn around Argyle's fortunes after relegation

While Rovers might have expected to have a battle on their hands, it's been an underwhelming start to the campaign for their opponents this weekend.

Plymouth were relegated from the Championship last term and hoped to challenge for an immediate return after the appointment of the experienced Peter Reid.

However, it's been a struggle to date for the former Sunderland boss with the Devon side currently sitting in the bottom half and closer to the relegation zone than the top six.

They also suffered a heavy 4-0 loss at home to Swindon in the FA Cup last weekend, so will be keen to bounce back on their travels on Saturday.

Their away form includes impressive victories at Swindon and Southampton, but they have also lost at the likes of Walsall, Oldham, and Notts County.

That inconsistent form has been tempered by the superb form of Bradley Wright-Phillips, however. The striker has 10 goals already, making him the top scorer in the division.

This is a meeting between a Plymouth side who seem more suited to playing away against a Tranmere team who are better at Prenton Park than on their travels.

For that reason, along with the fact that the two teams have been in and around each other this term, this one has draw written all over it.

Nobes' Prediction: Tranmere Rovers 1 Plymouth Argyle 1

Saints and Sinners

After Southampton's decision to fire boss Alan Pardew, Nobes looks at some of the other unwarranted managerial sackings that defied belief.

Pardew was given just three games at the start of the season at Saints

It's the kind of shocking sacking that, quite frankly, we shouldn't find so surprising.

Given the strength of their squad, Southampton's decision to sack Alan Pardew may not cost them promotion. It has certainly lost them much respect and raised questions about those running the club though.

The dismissal of the former West Ham boss just three games into the new season, and particularly after Saturday's 4-0 win at Bristol Rovers, seems incredibly harsh.

Whatever the reasons - results motivated or otherwise - it's hard to justify sacking a proven manager at that level.

Then again, it's not the first sacking, and certainly won't be the last, to bemuse onlookers. Here's my rundown of some of the worst Football League sackings of recent times.


10. Colin Lee - Walsall

You couldn't help but feel for Colin Lee when he was given the boot from the Saddlers in 2004.

After Plymouth expressed an interest in taking Lee to Home Park, Walsall gave him permission to talk to the Pilgrims.

However, after deciding to remain in the West Midlands, he was sacked by chairman Jeff Bonser for a lack of loyalty and creating 'uncertainty' around the club.

It was to prove costly for Walsall though. Up until then they had been winning their battle against relegation from the Championship.

After Lee's departure they lost three of their remaining four games and dropped into League One. They've never been back to the second tier since.


9. Eric Black - Coventry City

So angry were Coventry fans at the sacking of Eric Black in 2004 that they staged a 'Black Day' protest for replacement Peter Reid's first home game in charge.

The Scot had only been in charge of the Sky Blues for four months and had led them into the top half playing an attractive brand of football.

Despite picking up 29 points in his 18 games though, chairman Mike McGinnity said the team had been too 'inconsistent' and fired Black.

Replacement Reid failed to do anywhere near as well, and was sacked less than a year later after poor results and even worse football.


8. Peter Jackson - Huddersfield Town

Jackson had two spells in charge of the Terriers - whom he had played for during his career, too. It was his first departure which caused most angst, though.

He had taken over in 1997 with the Yorkshire outfit fighting relegation from the Championship.

After keeping them up he then took them to 10th the following campaign.

However, the popular manager was then sacked and replaced by 'big-name' Steve Bruce - who was sacked after a poor start to the 2000/1 season.

It ended with Town being relegated to the third, and later fourth, tier. Only on Jackson's return in 2003 did he immediately take Town back into League One and they only missed out on a return to the Championship in the play offs in 2006.


7. Gary Peters - Shrewsbury Town

The former Preston boss had turned around Salop's fortunes since joining them in 2004.

He kept Shrewsbury in the Football League and then set about building a team capable of challenging at the right end.

That culminated in the 2007 play off final where, despite taking the lead, they lost out to Bristol Rovers at Wembley.

Despite so much progress, a sticky spell in the following campaign - his first at the club - saw him promptly dismissed.

Successor Paul Simpson was granted huge funds to gain promotion but could only match Peters with a play off final defeat to Gillingham in 2009. Had Peters had similar money to spend, Town probably would have been promoted by now.


6. Gareth Southgate - Middlesbrough

Southgate had been at the helm as Boro crashed out of the Premier League after 11 seasons in the big time.

However, he had been given the opportunity to get them back at the first attempt - and seemed to be making a good fist of it.

A 2-0 win against Derby saw Boro lying 4th after 13 games - just a single point off top spot.

However, Southgate was then sacked and in came former Southampton manager Gordon Strachan.

The Teessiders' form dropped off remarkably and they ended the season in 11th - a full 40 points behind Champions Newcastle United.


5. Danny Wilson - Hartlepool United

After relegation to the basement division in 2006, Pools turned to the experienced Danny Wilson to help get them back up into League One.

He did so - and at the first time of asking.

United finished 2nd - missing out on the title by a single point - and then he helped re-establish them back in the third tier with a respectable finish of 15th.

A solid start to the next season saw Pools in the top half but, after successive draws saw them drop to 13th in December, he was sacked.

They finished that season in 19th - a single point above the drop zone, and last term only survived on goal difference. Slipping out of the top half suddenly doesn't seem so bad now.


4. Ian Atkins - Oxford United

When Oxford beat Cheltenham 1-0, they sat 4th in the League Two standings - a point off the automatic promotion places.

They had only been beaten once at home all season and, with nine games of the season remaining, looked a sure bet for at least a place in the play offs.

Despite that good form, manager Ian Atkins had not been offered a new deal.

With his current one due to expire in the summer, he signed a pre-contract agreement to take over at Bristol Rovers for the next season.

Chairman Firoz Kassam decided to fire Atkins and appointed Graham Rix in his stead.

However, Rix's attempt to get a direct team to play passing football failed spectacularly as one win in their last nine saw Oxford miss out on the top seven altogether.


3. Russell Slade - Yeovil Town

Most pundits predicted a struggle for Yeovil when Russell Slade was appointed in 2006.

However, the season ended with the Glovers at Wembley - where they only lost out to Blackpool in the play off final.

Slade had taken a club punching above their weight to stay in League One to within 90 minutes of the Championship.

On meagre resources, it was a fantastic achievement.

It saw him linked to other jobs, but Town rebuffed any approaches. Yeovil ended up 18th the next year and the following campaign was another battle against the drop - but four straight wins in the New Year saw them comfortably in mid table.

However, he was then jettisoned from Huish Park due to a 'breakdown' in his relationship with the board. Town won just three of their remaining 17 games and stayed up by just a couple of points.



2. Ronnie Moore - Tranmere Rovers

Moore had been a great striker for Rovers, and returned to the club as manager in 2006.

In his first two seasons in charge he guided the Wirral outfit to 9th and 11th in League One.

The next term saw Rovers once again mount a push for the top six and they finished 7th, only narrowly missing on the play offs out by a couple of points.

However, the board decided to axe Moore - blaming him for falling attendances - and appointed former Liverpool and England winger John Barnes as his replacement.

It was a disastrous decision. Barnes endured a torrid beginning to the 2009/10 campaign and Tranmere only escaped the drop on the final day of the season under his successor, Les Parry.


1. Alan Irvine - Preston North End

Alan Irvine had joined Preston with the club struggling at the foot of the Championship in 2007.

An improved second half of the season saw him guide North End to 15th and safety, though.

The next season they were fighting it out for a place in the play offs and four wins at the end of the season helped them edge out Cardiff for a place in the top six.

There they lost to Sheffield United, but a fine start to the 2009/10 once again had them in contention. Then a poor run - his first at the club - earned him a shock dismissal at the end of 2009.

Replacement Darren Ferguson oversaw a terrible run of results that saw them slide down the table - only narrowly securing another season of Championship football. They have continued to struggle at the start of the new season.

Big Match Review - Oldham 0 Tranmere 0

League One

Tranmere Rovers 0-1 Oldham Athletic

Saturday February 6, Prenton Park, (Att: 5,518)

Pawel's Abbott's first half strike was enough for Oldham to see off fellow strugglers Tranmere and move out of the League One relegation zone.

Athletic began the stronger, and Tranmere keeper Luke Daniels had to be called upon to stop Dean Furman's shot before Abbott tested the home custodian.

However, just before the break the Polish striker did get on the scoresheet. A glancing header from Dale Stephens's corner enough to secure Dave Penney's side their first away win since October.

The home side did press for a leveller and Latics were indebted to 'keeper Dean Brill for preserving their advantage with a great double save to thwart Marvin Sordell.

However, Oldham held out and move up to 19th in the table - three points above troubled Rovers.

Big Match Preview

T

League One

Tranmere Rovers vs. Oldham Athletic

Saturday February 6, 15:00, Prenton Park

There's a League One basement battle this weekend as struggling sides Tranmere and Oldham meet in a game crucial to both sides' survival hopes.

It's been a disastrous season for both North West clubs with Rovers having struggled throughout the campaign and the Latics sliding down the table after a start that promised more.

Even with their lowly position though, Tranmere can point to some upwards momentum as they seek to move out of the bottom four for the first time since August.

Back then the Wirral outfit were under the management of John Barnes, but the former England international experienced a miserable tenure at Prenton Park.

However, under his replacement, former club physio Les Parry, Tranny have found form which has given them a fighting chance of beating the drop to the basement division.

They're unbeaten on home soil since October, with four wins from five, and earned a credible 1-1 draw at high-flying Charlton last weekend.

Hopes of survival largely lie on the shoulders of top scorer Ian Thomas-Moore, whose seven goals so far this term have been vital to Rovers.

Goals have been the route of the problem for their opponents this weekend. With just 20 goals from their 25 games, Oldham are the lowest scorers in the division.

Tranmere boss Les Parry has revitalised the club's survival hopes

However, their lack of firepower has seen Athletic slip from just outside the play-offs early on to their current position of 21st, albeit with two games in hand on the side immediately above them.

And when you contrast their goals-for column with their defensive record - the seventh best in League One - boss Dave Penney is under no illusions where his team's problems lie.

His summer signing, Polish striker Pawel Abbott, has carried the burden on the scoring front. The former Darlington and Preston man has notched seven goals for Latics this season.

However, with just nine goals scored on the road from Boundary Park all term, Oldham are in desperate need of rediscovering some form in front of goal.

These two sides met just before Christmas, unsurprisingly cancelling one another out in a 0-0 draw. Saturday's game will be a similarly tight affair that neither can really afford to lose.

Rovers will start as favourites to win, and should continue their unbeaten record at home, however, Oldham have the strength to ensure a repeat of their result from December.

Nobes' Prediction: Tranmere Rovers 0 Oldham Athletic 0

Big Match Review - Norwich 2 Tranmere 0

League One

Norwich City 2-0 Tranmere Rovers

Saturday November 14, Carrow Road, (Att: 25,025)

Two second half goals were enough for in-form Norwich to continue their fine form and leave managerless and struggling Tranmere six points adrift of safety in League One.

In a fierce wind, both teams had trouble trying to adapt to the conditions, but the Wirral club's defence managed to restrict City to half chances from distance.

And Les Ross's visitors had a chance to take the lead when a breakaway ended with Chris Shuker's low shot being palmed away by Fraser Forster. Then Norwich were denied when Grant Holt's header from a corner was cleared off the line.

The home side finally made the break through after an hour, but only from the penalty spot. Full back Adam Drury's run forward ended in his shot striking John Welsh's arm.

Despite Rovers' protestations, referee Darren Deadman awarded the spot-kick which was dispatched past the dive of Luke Daniels and into the bottom corner by Wes Hoolahan.

And the Canaries wrapped up the spoils ten minutes from time after more poor defending from the away side. They failed to clear Simon Lappin's cross from the right, and when Hoolahan recovered the ball his low centre was turned in by Gary Doherty.

A third straight league win for Paul Lambert's men who remain fifth and in contention for an automatic return to the Championship, but Tranmere's woes continue.

Big Match Preview

League One

Norwich City vs. Tranmere Rovers

Saturday November 14, 15:00, Carrow Road

Two sides in contrasing form clash in League One this weekend as high-flying Norwich host a Tranmere side without a permanent manager and entrenched in the relegation zone.

It's been a disastrous campaign for Rovers, who parted company with manager John Barnes last month after just two wins from their opening 11 league matches.

The former Liverpool and England star had only been appointed during the summer to replace Ronnie Moore, but now the Wirral club are under the caretaker managership of popular physio Les Ross.

He's since gained a single win from his four league games, a 2-1 victory over fellow strugglers Brighton, just their second win at Prenton Park all season. Last weekend their FA Cup game with Leyton Orient ended 1-1.

Tranmere's problems have largely stemmed from defensive frailties, with their record of 33 goals leaked in 15 games the worst in League One. It's a statistic not helped by the fact three different goalkeepers have already played behind Rovers' defence.

Goals have largely come from Ian Thomas-Moore, the son of former boss Ronnie, who has four strikes to his name this term. Other notable names in the squad include experienced midfielder Paul McLaren and the much-travelled striker Bas Savage.

Reversing a record of six defeats from seven on the road will be a stern task at at Carrow Road though, with the home side on top form since new boss Paul Lambert took charge.

The former Colchester manager inflicted a 7-1 defeat on City on the opening day of the season before, in a strange twist of fate, taking over from the axed Bryan Gunn in East Anglia.

Since then it's been a rapid rise for the Canaries who have won six and only lost twice in the league under Lambert. They're also unbeaten on home soil since that opening day collapse, conceding just five goals in six matches.

Hot shot Holt: The Norwich striker's goals are propelling his team's promotion push

That run has helped propel them up to 5th and into the play-off positions ahead of Tranmere's visit. Their good form also emphasised by a 7-0 thrashing of Non League Paulton in the FA Cup last weekend.

A key figure in their promotion push is striker Grant Holt. The experienced frontman has already bagged nine league goals and 14 in total this season. And youngster Chris Martin has also found the back of the net nine times too.

Winger Wes Hoolahan has been in impressive form too, and has experience of winning promotion from this level with Blackpool. A defence including Adam Drury and Michael Nelson is also improving with five clean sheets in their last seven games.

It all means Tranmere are in for a tough ask to take anything away from their trip to Norfolk. City are in strong form and have added some steel to their rich attacking options.

It might be obvious, but it's difficult to see past both side's form continuing as Norwich run-out comfortable winners.

Nobes' Prediction: Norwich City 3 Tranmere Rovers 0