Everything on... Tranmere

Micky Mellon is set to face us for the third time with Tranmere, but it will be his first as a manager when we meet Rovers in the FA Cup on Friday night.

In the 2001/02 season, Mellon was marshalling the midfield at Prenton Park and came up against us in both the League Cup and FA Cup.

In October, 2001, the now Rovers boss was sent off as we secured a 4-0 win in the League Cup third round, before we repeated that scoreline four months later at the Lane in an FA Cup fifth round tie.

Here’s all you need to know ahead of Friday’s third round clash...

Team news

Rovers will have midfielder Ollie Banks at their disposal for the first time since November after he was forced to spend a period on the sidelines following a hernia.

Mellon's side have also been boosted by the return of goalkeeper Luke Pilling after his loan to Ashton United finished, while fellow shot stopper Shamal George has returned to his parent club, Liverpool, following the completion of his loan spell.

One to watch

Striker James Norwood has continued to find the net this season for Rovers after making the step up from the National League. Joining Tranmere from Forest Green Rovers in 2015, Norwood has scored 15 goals in 22 games already this season in League Two following his side’s promotion to the Football League in May.

In his first season at Prenton Park, the powerful forward found the back of the net 19 times and followed that up with 14 in the following campaign. The 28-year-old then went on to hit 20 league goals in 2017/18 as Mellon’s side stormed to play-off success at Wembley.

Last five meetings

17 February, 2002 – Spurs 4-0 Tranmere Rovers – FA Cup, fifth round
9 October, 2001 – Tranmere Rovers 0-4 Spurs – League Cup, third round
29 November, 1989 – Spurs 4-0 Tranmere Rovers – League Cup, fourth round replay
22 November, 1989 – Tranmere 2-2 Spurs – League Cup, fourth round
12 January, 1953 – Spurs 9-1 Tranmere Rovers – FA Cup, third round replay

Previous clash

At the turn of the millennium, Tranmere had become a revered side in domestic cup competitions under John Aldridge. Between 1999 and 2001, they grabbed headline victories over West Ham United, Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Leeds United, Everton and Southampton as well as reaching the League Cup final in 2000 where they suffered defeat to Leicester City.

There would be no ‘giantkilling’ when Rovers visited White Hart Lane in February, 2002, however, as we sailed to a 4-0 victory and booked our place in the sixth round of the competition.

Christian Ziege opened the scoring inside the first 10 minutes with a fierce half-volley before Gus Poyet doubled the lead on 36 minutes. Teddy Sheringham tapped home from close range just after the hour mark to make it three before Poyet added his second and our fourth to wrap up the win with just seconds remaining.

Tranmere’s form

Mellon’s men have enjoyed a steady first Christmas back in the Football League, taking eight points from their six games over the festive period. A 1-0 home win over Cambridge United was followed by back-to-back away defeats to bottom markers Notts County and play-off contenders Bury.

They got back on track, however, with a 3-1 win over strugglers Morecambe before continuing their busy schedule with draws against Yeovil Town and Macclesfield Town. The results leave them ninth in League Two, just three points off the play-off places.

Played for both

Neil McNab became the youngest player to ever play for us - the record is now held by John Bostock - when he made his debut for the Club as a 16-year-old, coming on for Terry Naylor against Chelsea in April, 1974. McNab spent four years in North London before moving to Bolton Wanderers in 1978, making 80 appearances and scoring three goals for us in that time.

Spells followed for the midfielder at Brighton, Leeds United, Portsmouth and Manchester City before he joined Tranmere in 1990. He retired in 1994 after enjoying a 26-year playing career and then moved into management, taking over at Exeter City for a short stint in 2002. Sadly, in August, 2017, Neil suffered a stroke while coaching in the United States. We continue to wish him well.

What they're saying

Speaking to the media on Thursday afternoon, Tranmere boss Mellon was feeling buoyant ahead of what he describes as a 'fantastic opportunity' for Rovers.

“We’ve had five games in 14 days which has been tough for us but we’re now coming to the end of that and there is a massive game at the end of it and that’s Tottenham so we’re all excited and looking forward to it," Mellon said.

“It’s about going out there and making sure that you take part in the game. It’s a fantastic opportunity for the Football Club to go and announce to the footballing world that it's still here. We’ve been through some tough times so it’s important we go out there and we take part in a fantastic occasion.

“We’ll get prepared the best way we can and know that it is a massive game for us and a big, big ask, but we’re going to go out there and give it a go and try and represent the Club as well as we can.

“It will be great to see the ground full. It’s the first time since we played Liverpool (in pre-season) that it’s been full, so that’s fantastic. It’s great to be involved in that and see the stadium bouncing.”