Match Preview: Hartlepool United v Notts County

By Albatross
April 16 2004

Hartlepool United face Notts County with both sides needing the win for very different reasons. Three points for Pools will give us a big boost in our playoff hopes; meanwhile, defeat for Notts County will leave them on the brink of relegation.

Wrecked in part due to Administration, County's season has had very few highlights - and leaves them on the verge of relegation. Defeat against Pools wouldn't be the final straw - but it wouldn't be far off either.

An opening run of four defeats and just one win in their first eleven games saw them with just six points from the first quarter of the season, and it was only when they beat Pools on 1st November that they escaped the relegation zone for the first time in the season; however they soon plunged back into the bottom four and didn't re-emerge from it until March. That lasted two games before normal service was resumed, and they arrive at the Vic in 23rd place, five points away from safety.

Their brightest moments have come in Cups - a 2-1 victory over Ipswich in the Carling Cup gave them a dream tie at Chelsea where they performed creditably before finally going down 4-2; and two ties against non-league sides (the first a 7-2 victory over Shildon) allowed them to travel up to Middlesbrough in the 3rd round for another creditable performance in defeat, this time 2-0.

Billy Dearden was sacked following a heavy defeat at Peterborough in January, to be replaced by former Magpies player Gary Mills. Mills though has struggled to stop the rot, although he did lead them to three successive wins (and five games unbeaten) in February and March. It says much about their plight that it was only with the last of these wins - all against fellow-strugglers - that they were able to climb out of the drop zone. Just one win in their last eight games - although they have drawn four as well - would seem to indicate it's not so much a matter of if they're relegated, as when.

Leading scorer by a distance for County this season is Paul Heffernan. The Dublin-born forward has notched 20 goals (all but one in the League) this season, but has struggled for support up front: Mark Stallard scored four in the league before joining Barnsley in January, Clive Platt (3 league) also left that month. Antoine-Curier was dismissed apparently for disciplinary reasons - and is earning reviews along the lines of "worst player ever" from some at his new club Grimsby. At the moment Heffernan is being partnered up front by the on-loan former Tranmere striker Andy Parkinson.

No less than eleven players have left Meadow Lane permanently since August, most recently former Spurs midfielder Darren "he ate all the pies" Caskey. In to replace them have come a somewhat motley collection of mainly young players released from other clubs - presumably on lower wages. It almost seems as if Mills is preparing for life in a lower division already! Their most recent signing is David Pipe from Coventry - the midfielder has agreed a permanent deal after spending time on loan at Meadow Lane.

One player that will be returning to somewhat familiar surroundings is Tony Barras. It's 14 years since he left Pools - after less than 20 appearances - and Notts County is his seventh club since. The 33 year old has been a regular this season, making over 40 appearances.

As far as the Pools team news goes, there's good news and bad news. Gavin Strachan has returned to trianing and will be part of the squad - but will he displace Neil Danns, who will be staying until the end of the season to start alongside Sweeney in the midfield. However, Nelson's setback means that Tinkler will probably continue in defence, with Barron again on the bench. Andrew Jordan is also out of contention after picking up a knockk in the reserve defeat to Newcastle.

According to form, relative positions, squad strength, whatever measure you want to use, Pools should stroll this one. Notts County should be up for this one, but then again last season we thought Shrewsbury would be up for our last home game - only to see them roll over and die. It's more about how they play than us to be honest, but despite their despearate struggle to avoid the drop I expect the greater quality of Pools to tell as we get past our opponents 2-1 - Boyd and Sweeney to score.