Pools hit the road south to Plymouth for the longest trip of the season. Pools will be hoping to keep-up there strong away, so that it is not a fruitless journey.
Vital Quotes:
Home Team Focus:
Former Sunderland manager Peter Reid is back in the English game after spending 5 years in the footballing wilderness, with only a short stint as the Thailand National coach on his managerial CV since his departure from Coventry in 2005. Reid took over as manager of Plymouth during the summer allowing Paul Mariner to return to his proper role of Head Coach. Reid`s term as Plymouth Manager has got of to an inconsistent start with Argyle winning three, drawing three and losing three of their nine games so far. However, Reid paid tribute to his players for the way they have reacted to the disappointing defeat against Brighton last time out at Home Park. Four points from two away games later, Argyle now faced with back-to-back home fixtures, beginning with struggling Hartlepool, as Reid and co strive for a place among the League One promotion places.
“It’s fair to say we’ve played well in the two away games. We’ve created chances in both games, which we’ve been looking to do since I started here. The players deserve all the credit. They’ve taken everything on board but now they’ve got to do it consistently, and it starts with Hartlepool at home.’ Peter Reid (Plymouth)
Away Team Focus:
Life at Hartlepool has not had the easiest of starts for First Team Coach, come Caretaker Manager Mick Wadsworth. Just a few months at the club and he was asked to take control of the first team ‘for the foreseeable future` after Director of Sport Chris Turner left the club over 6 weeks ago. With an injury table that appears to be busier than the turnstiles at The Vic, the pressure is certainly mounting on everyone at the club, players, manager and owners a like. Hartlepool seem to have a Jekyll and Hyde personality. At home they have only one League win to their name and have conceded 7 goals in the two games either side of that won, four of which came against Carlisle on Tuesday night. Away from home however is a total different story, conceding just one goal in their last four away games. Wadsworth has admitted he has considered changing things but not for away games as the current set-up seems to be working on the road.
“We’ve done very well, particularly defensively, in our away games so far I will be asking the players to strap their brains on tight and hopefully we’ll get that performance. One or two of the players may be thinking that I have to change things now, but I would be foolish to change based on our record away from home. Had we been building up to a home game on Saturday I certainly would have thought long and hard about things and probably been tempted to change it. But away games have been strong on the whole, and now we need more of the same.’ Mick Wadsworth (HUFC)
Plymouth Team News:
Plymouth boss Peter Reid will be without the suspended Reda Johnson for the home match with Hartlepool. The defender serves a one-match ban after being sent-off in the dramatic 3-2 win at Swindon on Tuesday. A decision on who comes in for Reda with Krisztian Timar and Lee Molyneux among those pushing to claim Johnson’s starting berth. Up front Reid is considering who to pair with inform Bradley Wright-Phillips, Yala Bolasie, Rory Patterson, Steve Maclean and Joe Mason are all in contention. Mason played just behind Wright-Phillips in the midweek victory with Maclean occupying the same role in last Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Rochdale and it remains to be seen whether the Pilgrims boss sticks with this formation.
Player to watch: Bradley Wright-Phillip
Bradley Wright-Phillips, son of former Arsenal legend Ian Wright has had a renewed lease of life under new Boss Peter Reid. Last season Wright-Phillips only managed 4 goals in 15 appearances for Argyle. A record he has already equaled this season with 4 goals in 4 games. A pacey, tricky forward could be one of Argyle`s stars of the season.
Hartlepool Team News:
There will be late fitness tests for Fabian Yantorno and Anthony Sweeney as Mick Wadsworth squad continues to fall in numbers. If either are ruled out they will join James Brown, Ritchie Humprheys, Scott Flinders and Andy Rafferty on the injury list. On some brighter news Even Hrowood should shake-off his ankle knock to be available for the trip to Plymouth. Jake Kean will continue in goal but with so many out injured Wadsworth may have to shuffle his pack.
Player to watch: Jake Kean
Jake Kean, on loan from Blackburn will no doubt be put under the spot light this weekend after Hartlepool conceded 5 goals in 2 games, 4 of which came against Carlisle on Tuesday night. Although the youngster has shown signs of potential his character will undoubtedly be put to the test away at Plymouth on Saturday.
Match Facts & Stats
Bobby Moncur is the only man ever to manage both Hartlepool and Plymouth. 17 players in total have run out for the two clubs including Paul Dalton, Sam Shilton and Jermaine Easter. The two sides have only ever played each other in the League and have met a total of 18 times. Pools have not faired well on the long trip to Plymouth picking up only 1 win and 3 draws and losing 5. Hartlepool have not won or scored away at Plymouth since 2001, with Tommy Miller and Tony Lormor getting the goals in a 0-2 win.
Match Prediction:
Plymouth 1 – 1 Hartlepool
Plymouth have not had the greatest of starts at home this season, where as Hartlepool appear much stronger on the road than at home. Both teams have shown defensive frailties so far this season but with Pools lacking goals, a low scoring draw is probably the most likely outcome.
Next Fixtures:
Next Fixtures:
artlepool have a chance to right a few wrongs on Tuesday as they take on lower league opposition in the Johnstons Paint Trophy. This is quickly followed by the visit of Peterborough, which also means Pools have played all three relegated teams inside the first 10 League games of the new season.
Thank you for your hard work on this Owen