FA Cup Fever: Pools take on Sunderland

By Albatross
January 2 2004

Here we go then, all 10,000 of us! Hartlepool will be half empty tomorrow as we descend on the Stadium of Light for our FA Cup tie with Sunderland. It's a game that has had Poolies talking for the last month - but will we burn brightly at the Stadium of Light or have a damp squib of a performance?

Currently lying 4th in Division 1, Sunderland have been in good form recently. They have won their last three games, conceding just one goal in the process, and in fact are unbeaten at home since 23rd September - some ten games since then.

It's not quite so rosy a picture as the stats might lead you to believe though. That defeat was an embarrassing 4-2 loss to Huddersfield in the Carling Cup; and before their recent two home wins, they had drawn five on the spin at the Stadium of Light. Even their three successive wins have come against the strugglers in Division 1 - Rotherham, Bradford, and MK Franchise. It's fair to say that Pools may well be capable of providing at least as good a test as any of those three.

Leading scorers so far this season are Kevin Kyle and Marcus Stewart, both with nine goals; Kyle though was sent off agaist MK Franchise and is suspended - meaning that Michael Proctor, who caused us problems last sesaon while on loan at York, may get the nod.

Sunderland are likely to be missing a few other players as well with injuries hitting their squad; Colin Healey and Matty Piper are both out for extended periods, while Gary Breen, Sean Thornton , Ben Clark and Paul Thirlwell will also miss out; John Oster and Joachim Bjorklund have recovered from knocks, but Tommy Smith will have to undergo a late fitness check.

Sunderland can though still call on some talented players, with names such as Goalkeeper Mart Poom, Phil Babb, Jason McAteer and Jeff Whitley all likely to be putting in an appearance.

For Pools, former Sunderland hero Marco Gabbiadini remains on the sidelines, but beyond that Cooper has pretty much a full squad to pick from. It will be interesting to see whether he chooses to stick with the 4-4-2 that proved effective against a disappointing Oldham side, or switch to 5-3-2 to try and bolster the defence. Recent history tends to show that Coops isn't one to look for the defensive option though, and I expect us to line up 4-4-2 with the intention of having a real go at the Mackems.

Assuming he's given clearance to play I expect Shuker to start the game, and in fact I won't be too surprised if Cooper sticks with the same eleven that played last Sunday. Paul Robinson is bound to be fired up for this game and is exactly the type of player to worry the Sunderland defence; Porter may well have to make do with a place on the bench again, assuming he's recovered from the crude challenge he suffered at Boundary Park.

Prediction time, and like most when it comes to a one-off cup game I'm whistling in the dark. However I have a feeling that we'll give a good account of ourselves, and come back with a 1-1 draw and a sellout replay at the Vic - Robinson to score the first before a Sunderland equaliser.