Hartlepool | Grimsby |
Introducing.......The Pools |
Eventful past twelve months for Hartlepool fans. Having raced clear at the top of Division Three, manager Chris Turner departs for Sheffield Wednesday, Mike Newell comes in but almost messes up promotion. Newell gets the boot in the summer and Neale Cooper is brought in. A quiet season then. Cooper was quick to use some of the money gained by promotion on boosting his new team. After the depature's of Graeme Lee and Paul Smith to Wednesday, Bury's Michael Nelson came in for a fee of £70,000. Strikers Paul Robinson and Marco Gabbidani arrived on free transfers alongside Andy Jordan, Gavin Strachan and Ryan McCann. Cooper's men have had a similar start to Town with just one place seperating them in the league table. |
Team News |
Neale Cooper has the luxury of no fresh injury worries to contend with. Eifion Williams has recovered from his knee injury and will be pushing for a place in the starting eleven. Andrew Jordan is likely to be on the bench after a short layoff and a few reserve games under his belt. Marcus Richardson and Kevin Henderson won't feature after the pair was loaned out to Lincoln and Carlisle respectively. Win Odds - 6/5 | Paul Groves is almost certain to make at least one change to the side that drew with Peterborough. Jason Crowe and John McDermott are both major doubts meaning that Wes Parker could get his first start of the season at right back. Mike Edwards will drop to the bench with Darren Barnard returning form international duty. Graham Hockless will replace Chris Bolder in midfield with Stuart Campbell moving inside. Win Odds - 9/5 |
Likely Eleven's |
| Formation: 4-4-2. Provett, Barron, Robson, Nelson, Westwood, Armison, Humphreys, Strachan, Tinkler, Gabbiadni, Robinson. | Formation: 4-4-2. Davison, Parker, Barnard, Ford, Crane, Cas, Hockless, Groves, Campbell, Rowan, Boulding. |
Top Scorer's |
Paul Robinson (3) | Michael Boulding (5) | ||||
Back in the North East environment he badly craved when playing in London for Wimbledon. Robinson always impressed me for Town but never seemed to get a fair crack of the whip. Could have been the ideal foil for Boulding had they played together for a sustained spell. |
First to react to Mike Edward's 'pass', Boulding showed a killer first touch to beat two defenders before slotting away between the legs of, Peterborough 'keeper, Mark Tyler. Still not playing anything like he can but getting goals all the same. Currently stands as joint divisional scorer. |
Bad Boys |
| Andy Jordan (2) | Tony Crane (3) | Marcel Cas (1) | |
| Darrell Clarke (2) | Marcel Cas (2) | Iain Anderson (1) | |
| Chris Westwood (1) | Jason Crowe (1) | Des Hamilton (1) | |
| Michael Nelson (1) | Darren Mansaram (1) | ||
| Marco Gabbiadini (1) | Chris Bolder (1) | ||
| Matty Robson (1) | Darren Barnard (1) | ||
| Gavin Strachan (1) |
Star Man - Marco Gabbiadini | Remember Me? Tommy Widdrington | ||||
Signed on a free transfer this summer from Northampton. The 35-year-old has amassed an impressive number of clubs in his career (10 in total) including Sunderland, Derby and Crystal Palace. Was rumoured to a target of Town a few years ago but nothing materialised, brother Riccardo did play for Town in the late 80's during a loan spell. |
Often accused of pointing rather than taking action by the fans. Never a favourite of Alan Buckley when he returned and it showed in the number of games he played. Moved onto Port Vale and then Hartepool where he spent two seasons and clocking 50 league apperances up. Signed for Macclesfield on a free transfer last month. |
