Preview: Grimsby v Pools

Hartlepool United travel to Grimsby Town tonight looking to building on Saturday’s win over Peteborough United. There appears to be a little bit of over confidence in some sections of the Pools support after Saturday’s win. One swallow doesn’t make a summer, just because we put five past the POSH doesn’t mean we are set to run away with the division. I’m being realistic however, this is going to be another hard hard game.

Vital Quotes:

Grimsby gaffer Mr Rodger said:

‘They will be tough and it’s another team coming to us after scoring five. I saw them last week and they made it really tight at Hull. No doubt they will be coming here to do the same but up front we know they can score goals.

But I thought in our box we did quite well against Stockport and Phil had a good game in goal.’

Pools Danny Wilson put down his coffee and commented:

‘We will lift it again for Grimsby but the good thing is that they have a bit of confidence knowing that they can get goals. This team will always create chances but we need to be a bit more resilient at the back.’

Grimsby FC Team News:

Grimsby signed Stevenage Borough striker Tony Thorpe this afternoon and the 32 year old goes straight into tonight’s squad and may even be handed a start. Peter Beagrie and Ciaran Toner are both considered to be fully fit, recent signing James Lawson is also pushing for a start, the Grimsby line up could see four changes from the side which lost 0-1 at home to Stockport on Saturday.

Player to watch: Peter Beagrie

64 year old Beagrie is always a threat, his legs maybe old and tired but his brain is as sharp as any in the lower leagues. Give him time and space and he’ll create goals.

Hartlepool United Team News:

Pools boss Danny Wilson has no fresh injury worries so should name an unchanged starting line up. Mark Tinkler and Michael Proctor are still no where to be seen, Humphreys and Clarke continue to warm the benches of Port Vale and Rochdale respectively.

Player to watch: Gary Liddle

Two goals on Saturday sees Liddle named as a danger man in the eyes of Grimsby gaffer Graham Rodger, he’s right of course. Our recent capture from Middlesborough is already making a name for himself and looks set to become a Poolie leg-end in next to no time at all.

Current Form

Grimsby 1-1 Macclesfield
Grimsby 2-1 Walsall
Rochdale 1-0 Grimsby
Chester 0-2 Grimsby
Grimsby 0-1 Stockport

Milton Keynes 0-0 Hartlepool
Hartlepool 2-0 Mansfield
Hartlepool 0-3 Shrewsbury
Hull City 0-0 Hartlepool
Peterborough 3-5 Hartlepool

Match Prediction:

I’m being cautious and going for a 0-0 draw. Scoring five goals was excellent on Saturday, but conceeding three for the second consecutive League game was not so excellent. For me back to basics tonight, cut out the errors at the back and try to nick a goal up front. A frustrating draw will do just fine.