Preview: MK Dons v Hartlepool United

By Albatross
September 24 2004

Jolly Hockey Sticks! Hartlepool United visit the National Hockey Stadium for their game against the much despised MK Dons. Can we put another nail in their coffin? Here's hoping that we put the Concrete Cowboys in their place.

It's very easy to take the mickey out of MK Dons, partly because they provide so much ammunition. The latest additions to the National Hockey Stadium for example are some of the "famous" Concrete Cows that make many in MK cringe at the best of times; they appeared at their Carling Cup defeat by Cardiff in midweek, and the reaction of quite a few who claim to follow the team was one of disbelief and annoyance that anyone could be stupid enough to think that this was a good idea. That one of Cardiff's goals was scored by Bullock only added to the bovine theme that may lead to the impression that everything about the Franchise is indeed a load of bull.

If things carry on the way they are, Stuart Murdoch may be tempted to get the cows to join the donkeys on the pitch rather than the sheep in the stands; despite a couple of narrow victories in the league (both 1-0) MK Dons are in the relegation zone again and are averaging less than a point a game. They may have exited admin, but their squad is still pretty thin - and while Neale Cooper is having to work hard to bring new players to Pools, Murdoch is struggling to bring in any fresh blood at all. It seems strange to be highlighting the use of youngsters given Pools have already had ten players that have come through our youth setup taking part this season - but out of a squad of 22, no less than thirteen have yet to hit 21.

So far the only player that looks like scoring on a consistent basis is former Derby teenager Izale McLeod: he's grabbed five this season including two in the Carling Cup. Much-travelled Allen Smart has notched twice in the league but hasn't hit the net since their Carling Cup victory over Peterborough a month ago - and recent performances have been poor enough that there were approving cheers when he was substituted on Tuesday. However should Murdoch want to drop Smart, he would have to pair 19 year old McLeod with one from Julien Hornuss (18), Wade Small (20 and a midfielder) former Boro midfielder Gary Smith (20) or Jamie Mackie (19).

There will have to be at least one change to the side that were soundly beaten by Cardiff; one of the few older players in the squad, French defender Harry Ntimban-Zeh, was sent off and is suspended for the game with Pools. Also missing is Ben Harding, who suffered a bad knee ligament injury and will be out of action for some time.

For Pools, the good news is that several players seem to be putting their injury woes behind them. Robertson, Ross and Clarke are all still recovering from operations and won't be seen for a while yet - but Barron is slowly getting back to fitness, Williams played for more than an hour on Tuesday, Westwood was also fit to play against Palace, Tinkler is well and truly back, and even the lesser-spotted Andy Jordan was on the teamsheet for the reserves in midweek!

We may even have a new face joining up with the squad for the game if the rumours are to be believed; it's being widely reported that Pools are on the verge of signing Sunderland defender Ben Clark either on loan or permanently with the Mackems having confirmed a few days ago that Cooper had been in touch about the player. I doubt that he'd go straight into the starting eleven if signed though - he'd not have had much time to train with the squad.

Cooper then finally has a few options in the squad, and particularly in midfield. Humphreys seems to have rediscovered his form since being switched to the right - maybe he's having to think more about what he does? Woods has caused a few problems for opponents on the left. Pouton is available again after having to sit out the game against Palace because he was cup-tied - but with Sweeney, Strachan and Tinkler also available (albeit needing the defence to be re-arranged for Tinks to be freed up), Pouton is not an automatic selection.

Up front, the decision between Porter and Williams will probably depend on fitness as much as anything - but there seems little doubt that Williams and Boyd would be the preferred partnership.

This is a game that Pools should be looking to take three points from. We can't take the Franchise too lightly - McLeod in particular - but if we are alert and keep working, there's no reason why we shouldn't win and possibly even win well. 2-1 to Pools then, with Boyd and Williams to score.

Meanwhile, the team that carries on the name and spirit of the club we should be playing, AFC Wimbledon, will be hoping for a home win against Hastings to continue their incredible unbeaten run. Let's hope they're celebrating a win for us as well as themselves on Saturday.