it's the third round of the FA Cup - a glorious day of football (tomorrow) will be. It turns out that I'm working tomorrow and off today, so I shan't whine about our game being on Friday … but really, it's the third round. Is nothing sacred? Don't answer that. I already know. Anyway, we head up to Prenton Park to take on Merseyside's 'other' League club, Tranmere Rovers, who currently sit 9th in the 4th division (aka League 2). I know nothing of who they have nor how they play … but it really shouldn't matter much, should it? We will undoubtedly be sitting some 'on form' players today as the fixtures have been and will continue to be coming fast and furious, and this is - on paper, at least - easily the most manageable. Which is, of course, the proverbial 'asking for trouble'. They'll be up for it, and the longer we let them hang around, the more they'll believe, so hopefully we'll put it to bed early. The main thing (other than winning) is to keep Harry and the insurance on the bench all 90 - they'll need the rest. And of course getting a bit of shine for some players who haven't been as big a part of our recent run would be nice, as well. Oliver Skipp to start, perhaps? come on you spurs.
Here are the teams! Tranmere: Davies, Ridehalgh, McNulty, McCullogh, Monthe, Caprice, Ellis, Gilmour, Harris, Jennings, Norwood Subs: Passant, Bakayogo, Buxton, Sutton, Stockton, Mullin, Banks Spurs: Gazzaniga; Aurier, Foyth, Sanchez, Davies; Walker-Peters, Skipp, Alli, Lucas; Son, Llorente. Subs: Vorm, Alderweireld, Eyoma, Marsh, Sissoko, Eriksen, Kane
Tranmere support are in bouyant mood before kickoff. Expecting a crowd of 14,000, the Spurs support will be in the Cowshed end. Spurs are in their blue kit. Both teams are playing 3-5-2. The pitch looks to be in good nick. Tranmere in white.
Spurs with a back 3 of Foyth-Sanchez-Davies and wingbacks of Walker-Peters on the left and Aurier on the right. Deli is playing in a deeper role.
Son misses a one on one with the keeper! Poor finish. Just needed to lift it over the keeper, big chance.
20 mins in and after our initial flurry, the game has settled down, Tranmere seeing more of the ball.
bumpy surface, but not awful. really low camera angle at Prenton Park; gives watching a kinda 'there' look … lower division style.
Aurier with a worldy! 0-1, 40 minutes. The ball was scrambled away from a Spurs corner and sat invitingly for Aurier, who cut across the ball and benefited from a slight deflection as it floated over the keeper.
A deserved lead after we missed 2 really presentable chances early doors. Tranmere look a threat from set pieces, we will need to keep our concentration in the 2nd half and not let them back into the game.
I thought they closed down spaces and pressured the ball quite well. combined with the slightly uneven pitch, it made it difficult to get out of second gear. Had Aurier not got his (deflected) goal, they'd've been well worth being level at the half, to my mind - despite out clear superiority. Aurier would've also rated lowest among ours for me without the goal. A rash tackle, gave it away a couple times, gave up an unnecessary corner, and I was thinking he was looking rather suspect. His goal's the difference, though, so fair enough.
Typical Aurier performance, just missing the foul throw and assist/penalty conceded for the Aurier Hatrick...
Llorente 0-2, set up by a great run from Son! Son got to the by-line and pulled it back to Llorente for a tap in.