Preview: Hartlepool United v Tranmere Rovers

By Albatross
May 13 2005

Is it really six days since we secured our playoff place? It seems like longer, but tonight sees the first leg of our Semi-Final with Tranemre Rovers. Can we do in the playoffs what we didn't during the regular season and beat the boys from Birkenhead?

Our opponents have of course finished third this season, the first full one in charge for Brian Little. Although not so long ago they were in Division 1 and frightening a few Premier League teams in the cups, traditionally they haven't been in the higher reaches; and since relegation they have needed a little time to get back into contention. This will be their first playoff campaign since relegation back in 2001/2, but they have been close a couple of times: 8th last season having sacked Ray Mathias, although that was with a fine late run that meant they'd not been in the frame for almost all of the season; and agonisingly seventh the year before despite collecting more points that season than they did this!

Rovers have been pretty strong both at home and away. On their travels, 32 points from 23 games was a useful return and that did of course include victory over us at Victoria Park. Little would no doubt be very pleased if his side can repeat that 1-0 win from March. Recent form hasn't been too hot though; they've lost all of their last three away games, and have just one win in five overall. Against that though must be balanced the fact that Little did take the opportunity of a playoff place being secure to rest some players in anticipation of these games.

Part of Tranmere's secret this season though has been having a pretty settled side. Goodison, Hall, Hume, Jackson, Rankine, Roberts, Sharps and Taylor have all played over 40 times in the league this season, with keeper John Achterberg only missing that mark by one and McAteer has played more than 30 games as well. Hume is leading scorer so far with 15 in the league; who partners him up front is up for grabs a bit though. Paul Hall seems to be the favourite; he's scored 11 in the league himself. Chris Dagnall (6 goals) seems to be the other main candidate, with Eugene Dadi (9) also an option. Dagnall has of course already scored twice against us this season, and Little may decide to see if he can repeat the trick.

Injury-wise, the only real doubt for Tranmere looks to be midfielder Danny Harrison; he had to be stretchered off last week, and although the injury is not as bad as first feared he is unlikely to start. Little's wing-backs, Ryan Taylor and Gareth Roberts, both seem to be winning their quest for fitness. Calvin Zola, currently subject of an online petition, is unable to play due to visa problems - he's been told he has to go back to his native DR Congo in order to obtain a new one, but given the state of that country understandably has a few reservations!

As far as team news for Pools, things are looking pretty good: our main doubt, Joel Porter, looks set to be fit, while there are no reports of new injuries. That gives Scott some hard - but good - choices to make tonight: does he bring in Porter from the start, a player that has shown his undoubted quality this season, or does he stick with Jon Daly after his impressive showing at Bournemouth? There are other choices to make as well - especially regarding Thomas Butler. Butler certainly added something to the side when he came on last week - but we either have to start him on the right or switch Humphreys to that side. One other option may be to ask Richie to play at Left Back, where he covered for Pools when Butler replaced Robson last week.

In fact, the flanks are likely to provide one of the main battlegrounds in this game. Little's wing-back system has worked well this season, and in Ryan Taylor he has a player that's really catching the eye; we can't allow him or Roberts much time and space on the ball, and Scott will no doubt be looking for whoever plays on the left and right of midfield to not only assist the full backs, but to do their best to force the Tranmere wing-backs to play deeper.

Defeat tonight would make an already tough task even harder. Away goals may not count double in the playoffs, but I don't relish the idea of going to Prenton Park needing to play catch-up. A comfortable win would be nice, but playoff games more often than not are tense, tight occasions and I don't think there will be more than a goal in it either way. I'll stick my neck on the line though and say that Pools will scrape a 1-0 win tonight, with Boyd unlocking the Rovers defence.