Hartlepool United welcome AFC Bournemouth to Victoria Park on Saturday, after back to back home defeats against Tamworth Town and Colchester United Pools boss Martin Scott needs a result to take the pressure off himself and Steve Agnew. The previous two home games after ended with the singing of ?Scotty Out?, the powers that be will no doubt know the faithful on the terraces are not happy at the moment.
Looking back at Tuesday night?s defeat it?s fair to say all we were missing was a couple of goals. The performance on the night wasn?t that bad, but add together some poor finishing and the disappointment of losing out in the cup to a struggling conference side and I left the ground feeling like we?d been hammered.
Bournemouth were also put out of the FA Cup by the mighty Tamworth so it?ll be the battle of the humiliated on Saturday!
Vital Quotes:
Pools old boy Steve Fletcher said:
‘It will be great to play against my old side, most important is we win but to get on the scoresheet would be a bonus. If we can play as well as we did on Tuesday, Hartlepool will be in for a test.’
Hartlepool United boss Martin Scott said after Tuesday’s defeat:
‘We all want a winning team. The fans were different class and got right behind the lads. Only late on, when things were looking as if it was going against us, they got frustrated, but they pay good money and are entitled to voice their opinions.
I have no problem with that but I think that the honest, genuine supporters out there felt we deserved to win that game.’
Hartlepool Team News:
Pools boss Martin Scott looks set to be without winger Thomas Butler who was forced to leave the pitch after 34 minutes of Tuesday nights game with Colchester after picking up an injury.
Michael Barron came through 86 minutes of his first team return and should continue at right back. Elsewhere the usual suspects are still missing, Robson, Boyd, Porter, Brown etc.
Player to watch: Dean McDonald
Dean McDonald caught the eye on Tuesday night, he’s young and keen and clearly wants the ball at every opportunity. His finishing was a bit off target against Colchester, however with a bit of luck he could have been looking at a hat trick.
Bournemouth Team News:
Bournemouth boss Sean O’Driscoll reports no new injury worries after the Cherries excellent victory away at Blackpool on Tuesday night. Bournemouth are expected to name an unchanged side.
Player to watch: Steve Fletcher
Steve Fletcher is always a worry, Hartlepool born and bred Steve loves nothing better than putting one over on Pools. I’m led to believe he’s still a Pools fan, but that won’t stop him planting a header past Dimitrious Konstantopolous should the opportunity come his way.
Match Facts & Stats
Hartlepool 1-2 Brentford
Gillingham 1-0 Hartlepool
Bradford 0-1 Hartlepool
Hartlepool 1-2 Tamworth
Hartlepool 0-1 Colchester
Bournemouth 1-1 Nottm Forest
Doncaster 4-2 Bournemouth
Walsall 1-0 Bournemouth
Bournemouth 2-0 Milton Keynes
Blackpool 1-3 Bournemouth
Match Prediction:
We always seem to have a good game of football when we play Bournemouth. I have a hope (perhaps dream!) that the chances we are missing will soon start flying in left right and centre. If they do I can see us gaining in confidence rapidly. An early goal is a must, if we get it I think Pools will go on to win 2-1.
Next Fixtures:
17-12-2005 – Walsall vs Hartlepool
26-12-2005 – Barnsley vs Hartlepool
28-12-2005 – Hartlepool vs Southend
31-12-2005 – Oldham vs Hartlepool
