2004/5 Season Preview: Part 2

By Albatross
January 12 2005

Part 2 of Pools Online's look at Hartlepool United's Division 2 (or Coca Cola League 1 if you insist) opponents covers Chesterfield, Colchester United, Doncaster Rovers, Huddersfield Town, Hull City and Luton Town.

Chesterfield Last Season: 20th
Departures: Chris Brandon, Jamie Fullarton, Glynn Hurst, Matt O'Halloran, David Reeves, Lee Richardson, Marvin Robinson, Mark Smith, Gus Uhlenbeek, Steve Warnes
Arrivals: Wayne Allison, Alex Bailey, Shane Nicholson
On the Pitch: Their second successive relegation battle kept Spireites fans on the edge of their seats, but I'm sure they'd settle for some mid-table mediocrity this season - if only to give their fingernails a break.
Off the Pitch: A loan from the council has allowed them to clear the worst of their debts, but they are still stuck in a decaying stadium without much money for ground or team improvements.
The Boss Man: Roy McFarland knows the lower leagues, but also knows he needs to start showing some signs of progress at Saltergate if he's to stay in his job.
Watch out for: Veteran Wayne Allison is the player Chesterfield will be hoping scores the goals, especially after Glynn Hurst jumped ship for Notts County. If he doesn't, it's hard to see who will!
Prediction: The fans are optimistic, although this seems to be based on the idea that things can only get better. I can't see it myself - the trapdoor to finally beat them. 21st.

Colchester United Last Season: 11th
Departures: Simon Brown, Scott Fitzgerald, Craig Johnston, Scott McGleish, Richard McKinney, Andy Myers, Thomas Pinault, Tristan Toney, Alan White
Arrivals: Wayne Brown, Liam Chilvers, Aidan Davison, George Elokobi, Stephen Hunt, Kevin Watson
On the Pitch: Mid-table with limited resources was a decent achievement last season. With a few players having left, the question will be whether Colchester have enough strength in depth to mount a challenge.
Off the Pitch: As at many clubs, money is quite tight at Colchester - and they lost Scott McGleish after Northampton made him a better offer.
The Boss Man: Phil Parkinson has done a decent enough job so far, and a similar finish to last season would be very welcome.
Watch out for: Wayne Andrews was their leading scorer last season, and former Birmingham player Craig Fagan may also be worth keeping an eye on.
Prediction: Flirting with the top 10 before falling back to 14th.

Doncaster Rovers Last Season: 1st in Div3 (Promoted)
Departures: Adebayo Akinfenwa, Chris Beech (not the former Pools one), Steve Burton, Robert Gill, Rob O'Brien, Barry Richardson
Arrivals: Chris Beardsley, James Coppinger, Nick Fenton, Guy Ipoua, Stuart Jones, Jermaine McSporran, Nicolas Priet
On the Pitch: A well-funded and confident Doncaster side stormed through Division 3 at the first attempt - and relegation is definately not on the agenda as far as Rovers fans are concerned.
Off the Pitch: Chariman John Ryan has shown every willingness to splash the cash, and a new stadium is also on the agenda to replace the dilapitaded Belle View.
The Boss Man: Dave Penney has lead Doncaster to successive promotions, and will be hoping ot make it a hat-trick. With money available, he will certainly be hoping to look at the top half.
Watch out for: Gregg Blundell scored 20 last season, while Michael McIndoe also reached double figures. New Signing Jermaine McSporran will also be hoping to chip in with a few, and then there's Coppinger as well.
Prediction: Team Spirit and signings enough to crash into the top 10. 7th.

Huddersfield Town Last Season: 4th in Div3 (Promoted via Playoffs)
Departures: Martyn Booty, Jacob Giles, Ian Hughes, Andy Jeffery, Steven Kenworthy, Lee Martin, Dwayne Mattis, Jon Newby, Paul Scott, Tyrone Thompson, Joe Washington, Matthew Young
Arrivals: Chris Brandon, Junior Mendes
On the Pitch: Huddersfield made it back into Division 2 at the first attempt, but know that an improvement will be necessary in order to avoid the melee at the bottom.
Off the Pitch: Close season talk has seen the Management team under scrutiny; Peter Jackson was rumoured to be in the frame for the Leeds job before he signed a new deal, while Terry Yorath is facing a possible Drink-Driving charge after an incident at the end of June. Around the club it has been mercifully quiet after last year's closure threats.
The Boss Man: Peter Jackson has defied the "Never go back" adage by achieving success in his second spell as Terriers boss. However, there's some hard work ahead.
Watch out for: Andy Booth was the main goalscorer after Jon Stead left, and Pawel Abbott will be looking to add a few as well. Junior Mendes is the other great hope.
Prediction: A season with some struggle but safety in 19th.

Hull City Last Season: 2nd in Div3 (Promoted)
Departures: Alan Fettis, Jamie Forrester, Danny Harvey, Andy Holt, Paul Musselwhite, Nathan Peat, Simon Russell, Justin Whittle
Arrivals: Nick Barmby, Leon Cort, Matt Duke, Roland Edge, Delroy Facey, Michael Keane, Junior Lewis, Aaron Wilbraham
On the Pitch: After being yearly made favourites for the title, Hull finally did something to justify it last season - in no small part thanks to Adam Pearson's willingness to spend. With some eye-catching names on their way in, Hull are hoping to have another good season.
Off the Pitch: Peter Taylor's resumption of duties as boss of the England u21 team has been the only distraction from the Piccadilly Station that has been the KC Stadium this summer.
The Boss Man: Taylor was the man that took Brighton to promotion from this division a couple of seasons back - and with the likes of Barmby to call on, something similar is expected this time too.
Watch out for: Ben Burgess was leading scorer last season, with Stuart Elliott a danger from midfield.
Prediction: I can't see Hull really taking the division by storm, but I think they're too strong to seriously struggle. 15th.

Luton Town Last Season: 10th
Departures: Emmerson Boyce, Adrian Forbes, Morten Hyldgaard, Matthew Judge, Pary Okai, Matthew Spring
Arrivals: Marlon Beresford, Matthew Blinkhorn (Loan)
On the Pitch: Luton surprised everyone last season, not least Pools fans, especially as they were hamstrung by administration. With some restriction still in place, and a couple of key players moving on, they will do well to maintain their position.
Off the Pitch: Administration, and plans for a new stadium, are the big talking points - along with attempts by the likes of Bristol City to publicly persuade Steve Howard to move.
The Boss Man: Mike Newell astonished Pools fans with his achievement last season - will he continue to amaze us this year?
Watch out for: Steve Howard seems to like playing against us, and is generally regarded as one of the best forwards in the division - not bad for someone that got a lot of stick at Pools when he played up front for us!
Prediction: Howard's goals to keep them safe - but 16th place.