Monthly Review: August 2005

By Albatross
September 1 2005

It's hardly been a great start to the season for Hartlepool United, although we're not the only set of fans to be worried. Elsewhere, there are some very happy people in Yorkshire and South Wales.

It's not been a particulary great month for Hartlepool United; six games gone, just one win, and we're 16th in the table on 6 points. While we are still within striking distance of the top 10, we need to start improving and soon if we're to get up with the top sides.

Top of the shop at the moment is one of the teams that have beaten us: Huddersfield Town have won four out of six and have 13 points, one clear of Swansea. That's enough to see Peter Jackson claim Manager of the Month, although Kenny Jackett's achievement in taking the newly-promoted Swans to 2nd, Mick Harford's efforts in taking Rotherham into contention after the disaster that was last season, and Martin Allen's Brentford reaching the top 6 again saw them mentioned as well.

One notable feature so far is that no side has gone through the month unbeaten. The signs are that there are plenty of evenly-matched teams this year, meaning that no side looks set to break away from the rest in the way that Luton did last year.

Two teams are yet to record a league win though: MK Franchise have drawn five out of six, while Yeovil are struggling to find their feet and currnetly have just two points. It's too early to say that the table is taking shape - but Pools aren't the only side to be performing below pre-season expectations. Doncaster, Bristol City and Nottingham Forest all currently reside in the bottom half.

The month ahead will see the division take shape, and teams should start to gravitate towards their long-term position. Pools have yet to record a home league win; we face Yeovil, Swansea and Rotherham at the Vic in September. If we are still looking for a win after those games, alarm bells will start ringing.