Preview: Wycombe Wanderers v Hartlepool United

By Albatross
February 27 2004

Hartlepool United travel to Wycombe to play their first ever game at Adams Park. The home side are looking doomed this season despite the arrival of Tony Adams; will Pools do their bit in making sure that they'll be playing in Division 3 next year?

Ten points from safety and seven games since their last win, Wycombe are looking doomed; Tony Adams may have come in as Manager, but he has achieved just two league victories - though it has to be said that the material he's got to work with is hardly giving him options. It looks that Adams will be having something of a clearout come the end of the season, and in the meantime he's having to do the best he can under difficult circumstances.

Their last win was over struggling Grimsby on 3rd January, but they have drawn their last five games - including draws at Sheff Wed and Barnsley. However, their last two games have been 0-0 draws, and goalscoring has been a problem all season - overall they have averaged just one goal a game throughout the season, and leading league scorers are Darren Currie and Jermaine McSporran with five each. Their strikeforce is likely to feature on-loan Reading striker Nathan Tyson (two goals in seven games) who has recently been played as a lone striker - but word is that Wycombe are going to try and give him some support up front, possibly in the form of Craig Faulconbridge.

Wycombe overall has been far from a happy ship this season. This started with the sponsorship of their ground - the Causeway Stadium is the official name now, but feeling is strong enough amongst some fans about the previous name (Adams Park, named after the man who secured the club's future in the 50s) that one fans forum threatens to delete any messages that refer to the ground by the new name!

Pools meanwhile have had some good news on the injury front this week. Williams, Westwood and Barron will all be in the squad for the game despite picking up knocks last Friday; and while Strachan won't be fit for this match, he is apparently in contention for next week. Paul Robinson won't be fit, but with Williams back at least we will be able to field two senior strikers, with Williams and Porter. As yet Cooper hasn't brought anyone else in, although there has been talk of Ian Murray - a prolific scorer for Deveronvale in the Highland League - joining Pools.

Walker will come in for the suspended Nelson, but beyond that it looks like the team will pretty much pick itself. On the bench, Pools will have some decisions to make; McCann and Carson should feature, but beyond that there's a defender's slot - possibly Matty Robson? and one for a forward that may be occupied by Jack Wilkinson. Cooper's other options are to put another defender or midfielder (Istead?) on the bench and move Shuker up front if necessary, or even to include Adam Boyd, who apparently has now completed his spell at Boston.

Whatever options Cooper decides to make, Pools face a game that they should win on paper. Wycombe may have not lost for five, but they haven't won either - and with Pools away form having been better of late, this is a game we should get something from. Our inability to finish has cost us points recently, but I can't help feeling that tomorrow we'll get at least one or two. 2-0 to Pools then, Williams and Clarke to score.