Preview: Hartlepool United v AFC Bournemouth

By Albatross
December 9 2005

Hartlepool United entertain AFC Bournemouth at Victoria Park having failed to entertain the fans in recent weeks. Discontent with Martin Scott continues to grow - a game against another form side is not really what the doctor ordered.

Although like Pools Bournemouth lost at home to Tamworth in the FA Cup, their season overall is looking rather more healthy at the moment. Their 30 points is currently enough for 8th place, and although they may not often be astounding the crowds with their goalscoring expertise a solid defence is making sure that they win more than they lose.

Away from home their record currently reads W4 D2 L4, a handy record with ironcially more goals scored on their travels than in the same number of home games. Current form isn't bad at all in the league: one defeat (at in-form Doncaster) in the last five overall, and a record in their last five away of W3 D1 L1. After winning at home to MK Franchise last weekend, they won away at Blackpool on Tuesday thanks to a hat-trick from James Hayter.

Hayter is their most dangerous forward by some distance, having already reached double figures for the season; he's had some decent support in the goalscoring department from the on-loan Anthony Surman (5), James Keene (4), and midfielder Brian Stock (4). Hayter is likely to be partnered up front by Steve Fletcher - who despite not scoring in 10 appearances this season remains a cult hero on the South Coast. Fletcher has always maintained an aqffection for Pools despite having spent 13 years at Bournemouth; not that it's stopped him scoring against us in the recent past! Meanwhile at the other end Gareth Stewart and a defence featuring the likes of James O'Connor, Neil Young, Shaun Cooper and Callum Hart has been in mean mood at home with just 7 conceded in ten games, and has not exactly been too generous away either with 15 scored past them in the same number of games.

As far as team news goes, Young picked up a bit of a knock on Tuesday but is expected to be fit, and beyond thet Sean O'Driscoll doesn't have many problems at the moment. With the Cherries on a decent run in any case, he's unlikely to want to make changes unless forced to - he was very pleased with the performance at Bloomfield Road and even the home fans were impressed with the Bournemouth side.

For Pools, the main injury worry from Tuesday is Thomas Butler; the winger had to be substituted in the first half and he's a doubt for the game. Should he be missing it will mean some rearrangement from Scott: possibly moving Humphreys into midfield with Hugh Robertson finally returning at full back? Reports on Robertson's currnet fitness vary however and he may not be ready. Another option would be to move Llewellyn into midfield, with either Proctor or Daly starting up front alongside McDonald. Apparently Pools have been practicing finishing in training - and heaven knows we need the forwards to start taking their chances.

As on Tuesday, Pools find themselves with a hard game against a side in form. The Cherries defence has been pretty good, while Pools have struggled for goals in recent games; and if one goal either way is enough, then our opponents will feel that they are favourites with a player like Hayter doing the business this season. I'll go for a 0-0 draw that will do little to persuade the fans that Scott deserves to remain at Pools.