Hartlepool need a big reaction to bounce back from last weeks 3-2 defeat at Southend.
Vital Quotes:
Home Team Focus
Hartlepool United have been in horrible form over the last six weeks picking up only 6 points from a possible 18. What is even more worrying for Chris Turner and the Hartlepool faithful is that Hartlepool have surrendered half-time leads in four of the last six games.
In fact Hartlepool United have failed to win any game this season once they have conceded a goal. There are serious question being asked at the Vic this week from manager, players and fans alike.
The biggest question currently being asked is do the players have the character to bounce back from such a demoralizing 2nd half performance away at Southend that saw them though away a 2 goal lead. Hartlepool captain Sam Collins has challenged his team mates to sort the problem of the half-time rot.
”What we do at half-time is probably one of the things Colin and the manager will look at.I suppose they’re always looking at things we can do better. But it’s not just those two. You can’t always rely on those two. As an individual, you’ve got to think if we’ve not done well in the second half of games, what’s the reason why? To a certain extent, it’s got to come from within. You’ve got to go out on the pitch and do it yourselves. We could be in the top six if we hadn’t thrown away these leads.” Sam Collins (HUFC)
Away Team Focus
Yeovil manager Terry Skiverton maybe starting to think there is light at the end of the results tunnel after his side pressed promotion hopefuls MK Dons and Norwich City to two high scoring draws, in the latter they where only denied a home win by a last minute equalizer.
Despite putting in such an impressive performance against Norwich Skiverton was unhappy with his sides defending, but admitted he would have took the point before kick-off given Norwich’s recent form.
The confidence will be high after a massive 3-2 win over fellow promotion hopefuls MK Dons Kenny Jacket had stated before the MK Dons game how important this week was to his Millwall side as they start to slide away from the top teams.
”Three goals at home should be good enough and I’m not happy with the defending. Our two best headers of the ball are Craig Alcock and Sam Williams and our central defenders need to start heading more. We stood the test today and I think before the game we would have taken a point with the recent run of form that Norwich have had.”
– Terry Skiverton (Yeovil)
Hartlepool Team News:
Chris Turner has a total of eight players unavailable for selection for Saturdays game against Yeovil. Colin Larkin, Neil Austin, James Brown, Steve Haslam, Denis Behan, David Foley and young defender Dylan Purvis are all out injured.
Ben Clark will serve his 1 match suspension after being sent of for to bookable offences at Southend. This leaves Turner short on numbers in defence and upfront and he will have to shuffle his pack to fill the gaps.
Player to watch: Adam Boyd
Adam Boyd has been in good scoring form recently bagging 3 goals in the last 6 games which also included an impressive strike against Southend last weekend. After taking a few months to settle in it is looking like Adam Boyd has found his old shooting boots and Hartlepool United and Chris Turner will be hoping he keeps them on from now until the end of the season.
Yeovil Team News:
Yeovil Manager Terry Skiverton can almost boost a fully fit squad of players to choose from. However it is unlikely that Skiverton will make wholesale changes to his starting 11 after two impressive displays in recent weeks. Dean Bowditch scored on his return to the side after being out with a dislocated shoulder. Steve Caulker is also likely to keep his place in the centre of defence with the on-loan spurs man in impressive form.
Player to watch: Dean Bowditch
Dean Bowditch was 16 years and nine months old when he made his debut for former club Ipswich town back in 2002/03 season. Since then his career has been blighted by injuries with this season being no different. Despite his injuries Bowditch has already scored 4 league goals this season from a measly 7 appearances (four as substitutes) This young talent could easily set League 1 a light if he could have an injury free season.
Match Facts & Stats
Hartlepool have only played Yeovil a total of 6 times in the history of the Football League and over that time there is very little to split the two sides. At home Hartlepool have won 1, lost 1 and drawn 1.
Away from home is almost an identical story with Yeovil winning 2 and losing 1. Current Hartlepool keeper Scott Flinders is an ex-Yeovil player and will turn out against his former club for the 1st time since joining Hartlepool in the summer
Match Prediction:
Match Prediction: Hartlepool United 2 – 2 Yeovil
Only 2 points separate the two sides going into Saturdays clash at Victoria Park and it is likely that the gap will still be 2 points after 90 minutes. Both sides are in poor form, picking up only 3 wins between them since the beginning of November.
Both sides will see this as a chance to end their respective bad runs, but with a valuable 3 points I expect this to be a tight and cagey affair with nothing between the two sides.
Next Fixtures:
The next Football League fixture takes us right into the festive period as Hartlepool pay a visit to top of the table Leeds United. A tough game where surely all Poolies can hope for a Christmas miracle.
