Playoff Idol: The Rivals

Who will it be?
By Albatross
April 28 2005

Hartlepool United could secure a playoff place this weekend - but that means beating Walsall and then at least one side slipping up. So what are the chances of that happening? Pools Online looks at this weekend's fixtures for our rivals.

While there will be a full preview of the Pools v Walsall game tomorrow, I thought that today I'd look briefly at each of the games involving our rivals for the playoff places. There will no doubt be plenty of people listening for the results of other games on Saturday - and these are the ones that matter.

Sheffield Wednesday: Away at Hull City

Hull's title hopes crashed down around their ears last weekend, as they suffered a 3-0 defeat against Walsall. Peter Taylor was far from pleased, and has effectively told his players that unless they buck their ideas up in the last two games, some of them could well find themselves on their way. However Hull do have injury problems with the likes of Ian Ashbee and Andy Dawson likely to join Stuart Green, Ryan France and Jason Price on the sidelines.

Wednesday meanwhile are on a terrible run of form that has seen them pick up just four points in seven games. The news that leading scorer Steve MacLean is out for the rest of the season is a huge blow for them - they have won just once since he suffered a stress fracture against Doncaster, and he had been hoping to make an unlikely return before the end of the season. Wednesday have more to play for, but are well out of form; Hull have pride to play for after last week's defeat. I suspect it will end all square.

AFC Bournemouth: Away at Bradford City

Bradford are going nowhere, and Bournemouth are currently on fire so long as they don't have to play at home. They have lost five home games in a row - but have won six on the spin on their travels. Gareth O'Connor is struggling with a knee injury, while Steve Fletcher is set to break the Cherries League Appearance record - what price that when we sold him all those years ago!

Bradford meanwhile are looking at next season already, with all the talk being of making a real challenge in 05/6 and players signing new contracts (or otherwise). While Todd would like his side to go unbeaten, I don't think they'll be able to do Pools many favours - it's more likely to be an away win in my view.

Brentford: Away at Luton Town

How ironic it would be if Mike Newell's side were to boost Pools playoff hopes! With the title already secure though, the question has to be asked - how much motivation is left for the Luton Players? There may also be changes as with the title won, a chance is taken to rest some weary legs and give some young guns a try. With the Trophy to be presented after the game, there has to be a suspicion that the Hatters thoughts will be elsewhere.

Brentford meanwhile come off consecutive defeats and know that even with a game in hand they need to get something out of this one. Martin Allen's side have displayed the sort of fighting spirit that means they have every chance of raining on Luton's parade - although I think that a draw may be all they can hope for.

Bristol City: Home to Doncaster Rovers

Doncaster (and Huddersfield behind them for that matter) have an outside chance of a playoff place themselves - although with five points and a number of goals to catch up it's a very slender one that very few fans are pinning hopes on. Nevertheless, that may be to the benefit of Pools; we saw how good Donny can be last week, and City are not going to find them pushovers.

Bristol's hopes aren't big themselves, but a win could see them going into the last day with a "Winner Takes All" clash at Hillsborough. They need to do it without Leroy Lita though, after the frontman's two match suspension was upheld. I can see another draw, which would mean that Pools as least would be out of reach for them.

So, will Pools playoff fate be settled this weekend, or not? I'd guess not - but let's hope that the lads at least put themselves into pole position with a win over Walsall. After all, fail to win and it's down to the last day in any case - it's still in our hands.