Pools face the ultimate League One test

Having put an end to their worryingly-long losing streak, Hartlepool United face the ultimate League One test on Saturday when they make the long journey to face leaders Brighton. Antony Sweeney’s late winners against Colchester at the Vic lifted some of the pressure on Mick Wadsworth and his players, and they’ll need to be at their best to keep it going.

Unbeaten at home, Brighton are three points clear at the top of the table, but having won at second top Bournemouth and third-top Huddersfield in December, there’s no reason why Pools shouldn’t travel hopefully.
Admittedly, they had a poor January on the road, leaking in goals galore compared to their previous away record, but Wadsworth will be hoping that the win over Colchester will have seen the side turn the corner.
The big difference now is that Sam Collins is back at the heart of the defence, though that was also true in their last away game when they flopped badly in the 4-0 defeat at Oldham.
Wadsworth made the players watch a video of that game before they took on Colchester and it seemed to work – perhaps he should do the same before the Brighton match.
Gus Poyet has done a good job there and Brighton are clear favourites for the title. But surely that unbeaten home record won’t last all season, and at Bournemouth and Huddersfield Pools have shown that they are capable of producing good results away to top teams.
Trouble is, they have also shown they are capable of the opposite.
Colin Larkin could be given a start after shining as a sub against Colchester, and Wadsworth has used his squad well so far this season.
He’ll be looking to get another positive response from the players at Brighton.