Forest Green to show their metal on the road

Tranmere host Forest Green in the first-leg of their League Two play-off matchup on Friday. It stands to be an intriguing match-up between two sides with plenty of recent history.

Managerial stability

The first thing to note when looking at these two sides is the managerial stability that both clubs enjoy. Take heed oh chairman of the ‘impulsive action’ as there is a clear link between success and stability.

Mark Cooper, a tremendous manager who doesn’t get the credit he deserves, has publicly praised his chairman Dale Vince for trusting him with the footballing decisions and for keeping faith in him during last season’s struggles. Vince has a long-term view that is refreshing and his plan, which included an initial five-year stint for Cooper, looks to be coming to fruition nicely.

The same can be said for Tranmere although they are a completely different club. Forest Green are the aspiring upstarts of this movie while Tranmere are the fallen giant on their way back to the top.

Micky Mellon has rejuvenated Rovers and to see his side finish in the top seven in their first season after returning to the Football League is an excellent achievement.

Attacking talent

Despite the clubs looking very different off the pitch, in actual fact, they are fairly similar on it. Both have lined up in a 4-2-3-1 this season and they both have a talisman in attack in the form of James Norwood and Christian Doidge. You could also say Connor Jennings is Tranmere’s Reece Brown.

The forwards at either club would probably get into most League Two line-ups and the style of football they both employ should make for an excellent play-off doubleheader.

Players to watch

Apart from the two strikers named above you’d have to look far and wide to find a better midfielder than Reece Brown in the fourth tier. He has found a level of maturity, coached brilliantly by Mark Cooper that has seen him flourish.

No player in League Two has completed more accurate passes (2,164) than Reece Brown in the 2018/19 campaign.

He has notched 13 assists, the second most in the division, and has chipped in with 11 goals.

For Tranmere, there are also a number of players that could be game changers but Ollie Banks deserves a mention for his nine assists and goalkeeper Scott Davies for his Golden Glove winning, 19 clean-sheets.

Tranmere Rovers v Forest Green Betting tip

Tranmere may have one of the best home records in the division but only champions Lincoln were better on the road than Forest Green. With odds of 13/5 available on a win for the Nailsworth club you’d be foolish not to take a punt. It should be an exciting game and hopefully another great advert for League Two football.

Bet Forest Green to win on Bet365