Hartlepool United travel to Bristol City

By Albatross
August 22 2003

It's a Bank Holiday Weekend, the trains are disrupted, it's madness to travel too far - so of course the Fixture Computer has give Pools a nice long trip to take on Bristol City. Pools Online takes a look at what the hardy souls braving the traffic can expect at Ashton Gate....

Getting there at all looks set to be something of an achievement for some fans, with quite a few flying down courtesy of Easyjet. Confidence is high, but this is one game that is unlikely to be a walk in the park.

City are one of the favourites for Promotion this season, after finishing third last year and missing out in the Playoff Semi to Cardiff. They may have lost Scott Murray, but have reinvested some of that transfer fee in the signings of Aussie International Luke Wilkshire from Middlesbrough and Lee Miller from Falkirk, both for six figure fees.

Their first game seemed to justify their hopes, with Notts County put to the sword 5-0 on the opening day. Four more goals followed against Swansea in the Carling Cup, but three of those were in Extra Time as the Swans held their opponents to a 1-1 draw in normal time. Last weekend saw them perform less than impressively to leave Chesterfield with a 1-1 draw; they will be looking to get back on track against Pools and maintain their 100% home record.

Main goal threat so far has been Lee Peacock, who has netted four times; defender Daniel Coles has struck twice, and Lee Matthews has also notched a couple despite not starting a game yet. Miller has also been on target this season. It's likely to be Miller and Peacock up front, but Matthews and Christian Roberts are both challenging for the starting berths and could prove a strong threat coming off the bench should things not be going the Robins way. Another player likely to be on the bench is Brian Tinnion; having spent ten years at Ashton Gate the 35 year old remains something of a folk hero with the fans and still commands respect.

City like to play 4-4-2, with Tony Butler marshalling the defence in front of 'keeper Steve Phillips (experienced Mike Stowell is usually on the bench); and with someone like Wilkshire in the side Pools will need to be wary of attacks down the flanks. I'd expect Cooper to stick with 3-5-2, meaning that former City defender Andrew Jordan will remain in the middle alongside Nelson and Westwood. Barron looks likely to start on the right, although Arnison is now fit again, but the question of who plays on the left is open. Robson was subbed at half time last week, and if Cooper decides to rest the youngster for this game it may be that Ritchie Humphreys is asked to fill in at wing-back - a role that also sees him with license to attack down the flank - especially given that John Brackstone is unavailable. Mark Robinson seems to have dropped off the face of the earth after being a regular for the last couple of seasons, and with Adam Van Dommelle able to play on the left side of defence as well he must be wondering where it's all gone wrong....

Tinkler is looking certain to start - probably alongside Strachan and Clarke - but Eifion Williams is still struggling with injury. Although he has travelled with the squad and Cooper sounds hopeful of him at least playing some part in the game, it may be that Marco Gabbiadini will make his first competetive start alongside Paul Robinson.

Make no mistake, this is likely to be one of the hardest games Pools will have in the league this season. How we perform at Ashton Gate may well tell us a lot about how the campaign is likely to go. I'd be more than happy with a point, absolutely delighted with three - but I can't help feeling that this is going to be our first defeat of the season. 3-1 to Bristol, with Gabbiadini to net his first goal in Pools colours.