Preview: Hartlepool v Wrexham

By Albatross
October 18 2002

After the disappointment of once again losing on Sky, Wrexham are the next opponents at the Vic. Pools know that a win is essential if we are to stay on top of the league - will we get it? Albatross has a look at the form.

Wrexham are currently in seventh, and have not lost in the league since the end of August. Their form was good enough to win Denis Smith the Manager of the Month award for September, and although they have remained unbeaten since, they have also failed to win. A home draw against Bury was followed with the same result at Cambridge - their second 2-2 in a row - and then a 0-0 at home to Orient last Saturday.

Wrexham prefer to play with Wingbacks, and the system is obviosly working for them; they have scored 22 times so far this season. The main danger man so far has been Andy Morrell, who has netted 12 of those goals, plus another in the Worthington Cup victory over Bradford. The question of who plays up front with him is an interesting one; Trinidad International Hector Sam has scored three, Lee Trundle is not regarded as being in form; however the most likely partner for Morrell is Lee Jones. Jones has suffered from a number of injuries, but played in the draw against Orient; however, he didn't look fully fit and this may help Pools if he plays.

Wrexham will be missing their other two Trinidad Internationals though; Right Winger/Wingback Carlos Edwards is suspended after being dismissed against Bury, and defender Dennis Lawrence is struggling with a knee injury. Northern Irish International Jim Whitley played on the right against Orient and is likely to continue in the role against Pools.

In fact, Wrexham seem to have quite a clutch of players with international experience; Former u21 international Shaun Holmes was called up to the full Northern Ireland squad for their game against Spain, and Shaun Pejic was on duty for the Welsh u21s this week as well. Central Defender Brian Carey, the Club Captain, was capped twice for Eire, and may return to action after recovering from injury - though he might well be on the bench rather than starting.

Another name that catches the eye is Andy Dibble. Dibble didn't impress in his spell at Pools a couple of years ago, and spent most of the time on the bench; but he has been in good form for the Robins and will no doubt want to prove a point to Pools. Meanwhile, Darren Ferguson is likely to be pulling the strings in midfield for the Welshmen.

CT has hinted at changes following the disappointment against Bournemouth, and tactics are likely to be very important. With Wrexham playing three in the centre of midfield, there is a risk that the normal 4-4-2 may see whoever plays in the centre being overrun; on the other hand, we may well find a lot of space on the flanks.

Paul Smith will be looking for a recall, and having been eased back into things by CT he looks ready to start. I think he will be starting, possibly at the expense of Darrell Clarke who hasn't looked too clever at Wingback in the last two games. Smith has shown that he can play on either flank, and would provide Pools with more options.

I won't be surprised if Pools line up as follows: Williams (A), Robinson, Westwood, Lee, Barron, Humphreys, Tinkler, Widdrington, Smith, Williams (E), Boyd. This gives Pools the option of playing either 4-4-2 or 3-5-2; if we start with 4-4-2 with Humph and Smith as the wide men and it isn't working out, Barron can drop into a back 3, Smith move back to Wingback and Humphreys come inside; if Tinks and Widds are coping, we can then attack effectively down either flank.

Denis Smith was of course the manager of Sunderland when Pools famously beat them in the Sherpa Van Trophy in 1988, Brian Honour scoring direct from a corner. Having talked about the "Stigma" of losing to Hartlepool, he has since then been known as Stigma Smith to Poolies ever since. Will he have that Stigma again on Saturday? Pools should be up for it as they try to put the Bournemouth game behind them; and so I'll go for a 2-1 victory, Eifion and Humphreys to score as Pools once more stay top of the league.