Preview: Hull City v Hartlepool United

By Albatross
March 8 2005

Having lost to two of the weaker sides in the division in the last ten days, Hartlepool United will travel to Hull City tonight in hope more than expectation. Having lost two games we were expected to win, can we turn the tables and win one we're expected to lose?

It's hard to think that a couple of weeks ago we were considering this to be a vital game in our push for automatic promotion; although those hopes may not be quite dead yet, they are on life support and defeat tonight would pretty much pull the plug on them.

Hull are the team currently in possession of second spot, and seem to be the only side with a realistic chance of catching leaders Luton. They are six points behind, but with tonight's game in hand - so will not need much in the way of additional motivation. The gap to Pools is already eleven points.

Their recent form is also ominous. Saturday saw them win in fine style, 3-1, at their closest challengers Tranmere; and they have lost just twice in league action since November. Doncaster and Luton are the sides that have got the better of them, and only Bradford have so far left the KC Stadium with three points. With revenge for league and LDV defeats at the Vic also on the agenda, Pools will have to be right on top of their game.

Peter Taylor has been looking to strengthen his squad recently, with three new arrivals already in 2005. Kevin Ellison has arrived from Chester, former Boro starlet and Scotland International Robbie Stockdale has been signed from Rotherham, and Colchester forward Craig Fagan has also joined the throng on Humberside; meanwhile former Gillingham boss Andy Hessenthaler has had a loan spell there as well.

Stuart Green and Marc Joseph are unlikely to start for Hull, but their main injury concern this season - Stuart Elliott - is fit again. The Northern Irish International has found the net 21 times in the league alone, and is top scorer for th Tigers by some distance; he returned to the side last month. Green and veteran Nick Barmby have both scored eight times in the league, and Danny Allsopp has seven - but beyond that the goals have been spread around a lot, partly due to the number of players Taylor has used.

Pools meanwhile are facing injury problems that will be giving Neale Cooper some serious headaches. Hugh Roberston continues to struggle with his foot problem; Jack Ross is out for an extended period; and neither Mark Tinkler nor Chris Westwood are expected to be fit. Add on the illness that caused Ben Clark to be replaced at half time on Saturday, and we're looking quite thin on the ground in defence. Assuming both Clark and Barron shake off their illness, they will probably continue alongside Nelson and Brackstone; but Craddock will probably be on the bench and may step into the side if Clark or Barron fail to make it, with another youngster in the form of Graham Low also reckoned to be in the frame. Robson did well going forward when he came on on Saturday, and it's not impossible that he will be preferred to Brackstone. Meanwhile elsewhere on the pitch Cooper doesn't have too many options in midfield - and with Porter and Boyd doing well enough on Saturday to contribute three goals between them that partnership looks certain to continue. There are calls in some quarters for Provett to replace Konstantopoulos, but I'd expect Cooper to leave things unchanged for the moment.

Another option may be to go for 5-3-2, but much would depend on the personnel available to Coops. Nelson, Barron and Clark would probably be his first choices in the continuing absence of Westie, with maybe Robson and Williams asked to play as wing-backs; Strachan and Sweeney would then be joined in central midfield by Humphreys. Should Clark and/or Barron be missing though, 4-4-2 would probably be the safest bet.

To say that this looks like a tough game for Pools is something of an understatement. We've had two games in a row where we have failed to get results against sides at the bottom; Hull meanwhile have rarely slipped up against anyone this season, and have a formidable home record. A few weeks ago I'd have backed Pools to get a result in this game, and it's still not out of the question; but to be honest I think a defeat is more likely. 3-1 to Hull, Porter to grab a consolation for Pools.