Pools v Crawley

[Pooliekev]

Tough call.

For Pools, two important internationals away, one the keeper. One a centre half who is playing out of his skin.

That aside, we do score goals and no disruption up front. Bartlett is a good No2 keeper and I think Harrison can cover Donnelly

Both teams in form so it's going to be close but Pools have some momentum now so I'm going 2-1 home win.

 

[les.gtfc]

Tough call.

For Pools, two important internationals away, one the keeper. One a centre half who is playing out of his skin.

That aside, we do score goals and no disruption up front. Bartlett is a good No2 keeper and I think Harrison can cover Donnelly

Both teams in form so it's going to be close but Pools have some momentum now so I'm going 2-1 home win.

Carson will be a big miss for you, going by his performance on Saturday.

 

[Pooliekev]

Of course. But Bartlett is no mug either.

You might remember him from his Gateshead days a couple of seasons ago?

 

[Casey]

This is a bit early?

We mixed it up a bit against the other Pool last Saturday. They tried to press high and we knocked the ball over the top. When you have someone as quick as Enzio it's a good tactic so I hope we keep it up but not to the point where we become a long ball team.

We ain't a bad side and we try to play in a decent style with a good work ethic. Now I've praised us we will get walloped.

If we keep the same back five I predict a 1-1 draw. If Drummy turns into Tinkerman again all bets are off.

Casey

 

[Glasshalffullpools]

Considering Donnelly was covering Harrison , I don't think it's too much of a change ....

 

[ProfessorGreen]

Hartlepool no jokers this season I feel. We didn't play well when they came to HP but that's not to take anything away from the Pool performance and in the end we escaped with a draw. They were organised and had a game plan. That and Nathan Thomas banging them in makes good signals for them. Always thought we should have give him more of a chance. This is a tough one to call as Crawley are also playing well and exceeding a lot of pre season expectations. Perhaps both teams could be looking at a playoff challenge come the end of the season.

 

[Glasshalffullpools]

Thanks for the compliment .....we are quietly confident that once gelled we will have a decent squad , I'm not sure if we are the finished article yet , I can see us winning more than we lose , if we can keep within a win or two of the play off spots that will be good for me , because I think we will finish a better team than we started .....once again , a draw won't be a disaster ....although it's October now and we haven't won at home yet !

 

[Chief Rocka]

I think Higgy has finally settled on a team and formation, we look a lot more solid at the back and the recent additions in midfield of Laurent and Hawkins (which some of us wanted earlier in the season!) has gave us the much needed mobility and attacking flair that Woods/Feath didn't give us, Carson is going to be a big loss, but I think Donnelly more so who has been excellent for us.

Crawley are middling in form away from home, we basically draw every home game, all signs point to score draw?

 

[Sestonpoolie]

Last time we played without Carson & Donnelly we were walloped at Stevange.
People are expecting an easy 3 points,but I think we'll have to be patient as I'd expect Crawley to sit deep as most team have up here.

 

[Casey]

I'm not sure we can sit deep.
Well obviously we can sit deep but I mean we are not good at doing so.

After the absolute crap over the last three seasons we are trying to play 'properly'. It's so refreshing it is blinding some as to our level. We are a good mid table side that will frighten a couple of the top sides along the way. If we add a couple we could challenge for a play off spot.

Expect a good attempt from us. It may not work on the day (ask Pompey) but we will have tried.

Casey

 

[Sestonpoolie]

If you do come to play & attack ,all the better for us.
At least you won't bore the tits off us like Mansfailed did,never leaving thier own half.

 

[devilofajob]

We've a good record at Hartlepool. Looking forward to a good day out and a point.

 

[Ctfc Ali]

Both teams on pretty good form, I expect a decent game where both teams will be looking to take all 3 points and some semi-decent football to be played. I'd certainly take a point now! COYR

 

[Pooliekev]

Good bit of optimism flying around on our board. All welcome.

http://hufc1908.proboards.com/board/1/backtotheblue

 

[Glasshalffullpools]

Oi ! I'm in charge of advertising !......

 

[Pooliekev]

I just caught you slacking so I thought I'd do your job for you.

 

[Casey]

Adi Yussuf dropped for Jason Banton. Yussuf was subbed on Tuesday and appears to have a muscle problem. I doubt it's form as he has scored 3 in the last 4 games (or some such).

Casey

 

[Chief Rocka]

Crawley comfortably on top, best team I've seen this season, must do better Pools

 

[Ctfc Ali]

Sounds like a decent game and we played with confidence again, only ended up with a point after missing a handful of chances, however would have taken a point before the game! Belief is growing!

 

[blueste]

your manager wants shooting tbh.totally ripped us apart then he takes off your 2 biggest threats.never deserved apoint but we will take it

 

[Chief Rocka]

We didn't deserve anything out of that so I'll gladly take the point, piss poor all over the pitch, we showed no attacking threat, the Crawley centre halfs had nowt to do all game.

Hignett chirping on how we looked more likely to win the game? Pull the other one, Crawley dinked the post and crossbar on about 4 different occasions, we barely had a clear shot on goal.

Crawley were easily the best team I've seen, some really nippy forward play, still I've no idea how Collins missed that chance at the death, seemed to try and chest it in instead of going with his head.

Think we need a re think for Saturday or we might be in for a pasting.

 

[Casey]

Sounded a good game.

To be fair to Drummy; Banton has been struggling with a flu virus so it was doubtful he could last the match and Bobson Bawling (who replaced him) looked a real threat on Tuesday at Charlton and was a little unlucky not to start.

I look forward to a couple of honest reports and lots of wewuzrobbed ones too (from both sides).

Casey

 

[Soup Ladle]

We'd have lost this last season so we're making progress

 

[Sestonpoolie]

Crawley were the best team I've seen this season by a mile.Moved the ball around quickly & should have won comfortably.
We were shit end of & defiantly a point gained

 

[Glasshalffullpools]

You could argue , we invited them on , and the best team to come to the Vic ( according to some ) needed a penalty to get back in it ..... as has been said , that would have been 1 -3 or 1-4 anytime over the last 4 or 5 years

 

[Chief Rocka]

Playing one up front at home is mental and that one being Amond even more so, we haven't had a decent home game all season, it's been boring as fuck to watch. The game yesterday was crying out for a second striker on the pitch, bringing on Paynter with 8 minutes to play, what was the point?

 

[Glasshalffullpools]

It seems odd we have 5 strikers and the same one plays alone all the time .....overall though , 12 games down and we are just off the play offs ....normally we are worrying and looking for a new manager this time of year

 

[Soup Ladle]

Makes a change doesn't it? People bickering about how poor we were yesterday, we're a damn sight improved from last year's shambles. Happy to take it one step at a time after the car crash of the last 6/7 years, think we'll be comfortably mid table this year.

 

[Pooliekev]

We've played seven out of todays top ten and lost to one.

As Mr Glass says, we would have lost all these draws last, or the last five seasons.

Small steps.