Pools League One safety fears go down to final game
JB - fit next season
By Clarence Rode
April 26 2009
Tommy Miller, Adam Boyd and Dimi Konstanopoulos are all rejoining Hartlepool United during the summer, when the club will also be recruiting a few players from Norway so they can rape and pillage their way to promotion to the Championship. They are just some of the rumours circulating amongst Pools fans already, and the close-season hasn't even started yet.
In fact, the only thing we can be sure of before 2009-10 begins next August is that James Brown is expected to be fit and raring to go after this season was ruined by his knee injury.
Who he will be lining up alongside remains to be seen.
The man most Pools fans would prefer him to be playing with in attack, Joel Porter (right), played his last home game as Pools lost 1-0 to Leeds at Victoria Park - a result that means Pools are not safe from relegation yet.
They are three points ahead of fourth bottom Carlisle and have a five-goal better goal difference. If Pools can get a win or a draw at Bristol Rovbers on Saturday, they are safe.
If they lose and Carlisle beat Millwall, Pools could still be safe if the goal difference between those two results is less than six - so a 1-0 defeat for Pools and a 1-0 win for Carlisle, means Pools would finish above them.
But a 3-0 defeat for Pools and a 3-0 win for Carlisle could spell disaster, though other teams like Northampton could go down yet.
It's all very complicated, but barring major upsets Pools SHOULD be safe, though it would be a pity of Carlisle were to go down -- they are the closest thing we have to a derby apart from Leeds.
Pools tried hard against Leeds, but there was a class gap and the better team won. Michael Nelson was outstanding, while Gary Liddle, Sam Collins, Danniel Nardiello (first half) and a few others also did well.
After the game Chris Turner spoke in a way that strongly suggested that it has already been decided that he will be manager, saying that work has already started on getting a squad together for next season. He said he even has somebody in mind to replace Porter, whose final home game was cut short by a hamstring injury.
But don't hold your breath for Miller (probably going to a Championship club), Dimi (ditto) and Boyd (long contract at Orient) coming home.
Before the game, Porter was awarded the Fans' Player of the Year and the Players' Players of the Year awards, while Nelson won thew Away Players of the Year award. Fair enough we reckon.
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who gives a fu*k if you do go down NO ONE!