Hartlepool United travel to Bristol Rovers

By Albatross
March 21 2003

Hartlepool United take on Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Ground knowing that Rushden are hot on our trail. Gas haven't won at home for five games, Pools haven't won on their travels for the same number - will one of those unenviable records finish on Saturday?

Five games. That's how many matches away from the Vic that Pools have played since the last time we picked up three points on someone else's turf. And Bristol Rovers promises to be no picnic either.

Gas have problems of their own though: the last time they won at the Memorial Ground was six games ago, and they are in the thick of the relegation struggle. Currently they are one of no less than four clubs on 37 points, and are only off bottom due to a better goal difference than Swansea and Exeter.

They lost at home to York in midweek, following a win at Orient last Saturday, and are desperate for points. After a very poor season last year - they were only saved because Halifax were the worst team by a long way - Ray Graydon wasn't expected to work miracles, but was expected to get them into at least mid-table. To be fighting for survival with nine games to go was definately not part of the plan.

The likes of Grazioli and Tait have not scored as many goals as they would have hoped for, and Graydon signed Lee Hodges on loan from Rochdale this week in an effort to provide more ammunition for his front players. Whether Hodges - undoubtedly talented but with his problems, especially over the last twelve months - is the answer remains to be seen.

The problem for Pools is not the home form: we are unbeaten in the League at Victoria Park since Rushden's visit back in September, a run of 13 games. Away from home though, the last time we picked up maximum points was against a very poor Macclesfield side.

Pools have lost the ability we had earlier in the season to play it tight and grind results out away from the Vic. Against Wrexham, we faced a side that played 3-5-2 very effectively and outnumbered us in midfield; and we couldn't respond. With none of the forwards looking in form, we are definatley struggling for points. A change of system maybe? If there had been a week between the games, possibly: but I suspect that with not much time since Tuesday's match 4-4-2 looks the likely formation.

The temptation to start with Flash must be growing in Newell's mind; and with Richardson not having the best of times of it at the moment, he must be giving it some serious consideration. It's possible though that Kevin Henderson will get the nod, with Watson once more on the bench. Paul Smith also is in contention, but looks unlikely to dislodge Richie Humphreys.

My run-in prediction now stands at six in a row correct: and this time I'm not going to change it. I'll go for a draw, 1-1, with Graeme Lee to get on the scoresheet.