Preview: Hartlepool United v Wrexham

By Albatross
March 4 2005

Hartlepool United look to get back on track following last week's disappointment with a home game against Wrexham. The Welsh side will feel they have a point to prove after being on the wrong end of a thrashing from us just before Christmas.

The impact made by the ten point deduction and the uncertain future of the club have combined to leave Wrexham struggling in the bottom four. It's not entirely due simply to the loss of points - they would be just five points clear of the drop zone if they still had them, and with injury problems exacerbated by the restrictions on new signings have as often as not played like a side on the way down.

There have been some recent encouraging signs, but the problem has been that the wins they have recorded seem mainly to be in the LDV Trophy - and there have been far too many drawn games. Their last league win came at Chesterfield towards the end of January, since when they have drawn five out of their six league games. A point a game may be better than none - but it's wins the Dragons need, and having failed to beat the likes of MK Dons and Torquay in recent weeks their situation looks grim.

As previously mentioned though the LDV Trophy has provided some light relief, and Wrexham could well be going to the final of this competition. They are at home in the second leg of the Northern Area Final next week, having already won at Oldham 5-3 in the first leg - and will be hoping to transfer some of their form from that competition into the league.

One player that they will be looking to is Juan Ugarte. After a slow start he has found his shooting boots somewhat; he's got 12 for the season in all competitions, including all four in their last league win and a hat-trick in the LDV at Oldham. That makes him the top scorer for the club this season, with Hector Sam having also made it into double figures. No-one though has got more than seven in the league, with Chris Armstrong matching that figure along with Ugarte and Sam.

Denis Smith's side have had their injury problems this season; the dangerous Carlos Edwards didn't play a game until January, and although he's been playing regularly since is still a doubt for the game having missed training with an upset stomach. Former Pools stopper Andy Dibble is out and has been for some time after picking up a thigh injury, with on-loan Stoke keeper Ben Foster replacing him between the sticks, while Brian Carey is still on the sidelines with a long-term injury as well. Additionally Craig Morgan is suspended for the game that will therefore see Smith having to shuffle his pack.

He won't be the only one; Neale Cooper will be forced into at least one change and may be tempted to make more after last weekend's poor display at Stockport. Jack Ross is out for certain with his ankle ligament injury; Mickey Barron will step in. Beyond that though the question for Coops is whether to include the likes of Hugh Robertson, who took part in the friendly with Shelbourne in midweek. Despite the poor result, I'll be surprised if there are mass changes - other than Barron and maybe Robertson, I expect the rest of the players to be told to get out there and show that they can do much better.

We may have won at the Racecourse 5-1, but I somehow don't think it will be as convincing a scoreline this time. Wrexham will be out for revenge, and their only defeat recently was a 2-1 reverse at Hull when several players had to turn out with flu; add in the fact that they're fighting to try and avoid relegation and we can expect a side brimming with commitment. I'm still favouring Pools though, and will go for a 2-1 win - Boyd and Porter to make up for last week's disappointment and deliver another three points for Pools.