Preview: Hartlepool Need Win To Guarantee Safety

Hartlepool travel south to Brentford knowing a win will keep them in League 1.

Vital Quotes:

Home Team Focus:

Brentford have been on a great, end of season run, a run that has seen them push up the table to 10th. The Bee`s have only lost once in the last 12 games and that came away at promotion chasing Swindon last weekend where they lost 3-2. Since the beginning of March they have taken points from Leeds, MK Dons, Colchester, Bristol and Huddersfield. Showing that on their day they can mix it with the so-called ‘big boys` of League 1. It would be understandable if Brentford were nto fully at the races come Saturday, with nothing to play for and a well-earned summer break just around the corner, they could easily fall into the trap of a half hearted performance. However Brentford will surely be fired up for the weekends clash as they look to protect their unbeaten home record that stretches back to October and spans 16 games and with the team only being 5 games away from a new club record, with the old record standing at 21 home games, a record that dates back to 1929/30 season. Despite the League season not being over, the Brentford players are already looking forward to next season and using fortes Griffin park as the bases for their campaign.

‘We have got our home run. We have lost four games in the last two years, we want to make sure it stays that way. Whatever we do now will set the base for next season. We have to make sure we end on a high, both for us and for the fans – they have been putting the effort in as well. We have to make sure it ends well.’ David Hunt (Brentford)

Away Team Focus:

Hartlepool United`s dire season has fallen into more disarray this week with the Football League deduction 3 points for fielding an ineligible player over the bank holiday weekend. After last weeks disappointing 1-1 draw with Exeter, Hartlepool for the second time in two seasons have to travel south and play for a win to guarantee League 1 safety, in what is turning out to be a dramatic last day at the bottom of League 1. Four teams are battling it out to avoid the last relegation spot; Tranmere and Gillingham both have an away trip to a relegated side, with Tranmere playing Stockport and The Gills playing Wycombe. Exeter have by far the toughest game as they host Huddersfield Town. Although Huddersfield are guaranteed a play-off spot, they have everything to play for as the could still finish 2nd if results went there way. Hartlepool are the last of the four teams as they travel south to Griffin Park to take on Brentford. Despite Hartlepool`s fate still very much in their own hands, when looking through history, it is hard to see Hartlepool avoiding the drop without help from another team. Pools have not won at Brentford since January 1974 and have only managed two draws since that win, over 30 years ago. Hartlepool have had enough chances to make the last day of the season stress free and enjoyable but yet again, here we are. Despite the lack of results in recent weeks and the points deduction Chris Turner is determined to get a result at Brentford, something that the club would have strived for regardless of recent events.

‘Saturday hasn’t changed in my opinion. The plan was to go to Brentford to try and get the three points as we do every Saturday afternoon and that is still the plan. ‘Recent events now make Brentford a much higher profile game. I have spoken to the players today and we are all totally focused on Saturday afternoon and the side issues will not even be talked about with staff or players before this game. I would like to assure our supporters that the players are going out there to win the game and get the three points and secure our position.’ Chris Turner (HUFC)

Brentford Team News:

Bee`s boss Andy Scott will be without defender Kim Balkestein after the on loan Ipswich man had surgery on a nose injury picked up against Swindon last weekend. Scott will also be without Car Cort and Ryan Dickson for the season finale. Fit again Mark Phillips is the likey replacement for Balkestein and Ben Streverns is the obvious replacement for Cort to partner Charlie MacDonald up-front. Myles Weston and Sam Saunders are likely to make the squad. Weston missed out last week with the birth of his child and Saunders has recovered from a foot injury.

Player to watch: Charlie MacDonald

Charlie MacDonald is coming to the end of his second season with Brentford, where he has been nothing short of a consistant performer. In his 1st season he played 38 games scoring 16 goals. This season he has played 38 games scoring 15 goals. Could he grab a goal to equal last years tally. The London born forward started his career and Charlton but has floated in and out of the Football League, however he has certainly found his feet at Brentford as he continues to play his best football of his career.

Hartlepool Team News:

Chris Turner has had some good news this week with Leon McSweeney shaking of a knock he picked up against Exeter and should be fit to travel with the squad. Denis Behan made a scoring return last weekend had has no reaction from his injury and is likely to take his place on the bench this weekend. Turner does have a couple of decisions to make. With Boyd, Brown and O`Donovan all pushing for a starting place, will Chris Turner try and accommodate all three strikers.

Player to watch: Gary Liddle

Liddle has had an impressive first season in his new position of Centre Back. However he is at the heart of the scandal that has seen his team loose three points and possibly their League 1 status. The big question will be, will Liddle have the character and drive to still put in a match winning performance or will he crumble under the pressure.

Match Facts & Stats

Hartlepool and Brentford have locked horns a total of 37 times in League and Cup. With 17 of the fixtures taking place at Griffin Park. Hartlepool have an awful record against Brentford wining only 3 times away from home, the last of which came in 1974, and drawing 2. However there is a small light at the end of such a dark statistical tunnel, which is the 2 draws Pools have mustered away at Brentford have come in the last two meetings between the two sides.

Match Prediction:

Brentford 1 – 1 Hartlepool
Brentford have only lost once in the last 12 games. However with mid-table obscurity already guaranteed for the Bee`s, one or two of their players might already have one foot on the plane, ready for the summer. Hartlepool need a win and need a performance, however to many times before they have shown a lack of character, that is needed to win the crucial games.

Next Fixtures:

Is a well-earned rest for all Hartlepool United fans, however only time will tell if it is going to be a happy or sad farewell to the 2009/2010 season.