Hartlepool United travel to Lancashire to face Rochdale in the opening game of the League One 2010/2011 season.
Vital Quotes:
Home Team
Former Rochdale defender Keith Hill took control of the Lancashire club back in December 2006. In his first full season in charge he transformed the struggling League Two side and led them to the play-offs in 2007/08 campaign. He repeated this success in 2008/09 season before finally winning promotion last season when his Rochdale side finished 3rd, 10 points above the play-off places. Dale have lost several key players over the summer including Kallum Higginbottam, Rory McArle, Tom Kennedy and most importantly is the departure of, 20 goals, Chris Dagnall. However Hill has so far retained the services of League Two player of the year Craig Dawson, who is attracting attention from far and wide, it is vital to Rochdale’s League One survival that they keep hold of their prize asset. It is a major blow for Rochdale to have lost key players from their promotion team but Hill has moved swiftly to rebuild his squad with the signings of eight players, the most notable being Anthony Elding, who returns to English football after a brief spell at Ferencvaros, ere he notched up 8 goals in 15 games for the Hungarian side. Hill guided the Spotland outfit to their first promotion in since 1969 and Dale are in buoyant mode a head of their opening fixture against Hartlepool.
”I’m really excited about the prospect of this week. The Hartlepool game is just around the corner, the lads are in good shape, good spirits, they have got a good fitness base and it’s now about stepping over that white line and holding their nerve.” Keith Hill (Rochdale)
Away Team Focus:
It has been a rather uneventful summer at Victoria Park, until this week, Pools fans had only seen 2 signings come through the door. Goal keeper Andy Rafferty and Hartlepool born left back Even Horwood. After media outbursts from Chris Turner and Andy Monkhouse regarding the lack of signings at the club, Hartlepool have moved swiftly to bolster their squad with the signings of Paul Murray and Fabian Yantorno, after both completed a successful trial period over pre-season. Despite adding four players to the squad and installing Mick Wadsworth as the new first team coach, the majority of Hartlepool fans seem far from happy. Most of which have joined the media in predicting another season of relegation struggle. At the start of the summer the club openly boasted that ‘exciting times and signings` where on the horizon and with rumours rife that some form of takeover or investment was on the cards, excitement grew at a rapid pace. However several weeks on and nothing particularly exciting has happened. Both the media and bookmakers have Hartlepool among the relegation favourites and it is hard to argue with that view point. Although Gary Liddle is confident that Hartlepool can and will punch their weight in League One.
”We’re not going to lie about things – this is going to be another tough season with the teams in our division but we know we can compete. We know there will be ups and downs during the course of the season but that’s the same for every team. We just want to make sure we enjoy more up times and hopefully that will be the case this year.” Gary Liddle (HUFC)
Rochdale Team News:
Rochdale boss Keith Hill goes onto the new campaign with the luxury of a fully fit squad to choose from, including all eight summer signings. Amongst some of the new recruits are former Pools players Brian Barry-Murphy, Anthony Elding and Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro. Hill will also have to services of defender Craig Dawson to call upon, who had a transfer request rejected during the summer. Dawson is considered one of the best young talents in the lower leagues and his situation is being monitored by several Premier League and Championship sides.
Player to watch: Chris O’Grady
Chris O`Grady originally joined Rochdale last season on loan from Oldham. He made an impressive start to life at Dale scoring 15 goals in 24 games, a run of form that earned him a permanent move to Rochdale in the January transfer window. He continued the season as he started scoring and additional 10 goals in the last 22 games of the 2009/2010 season. He has continued his good scoring record threw pre season with several goals including the equalizing goal in Rochdale’s 1-1 draw with Premier League Bolton.
Hartlepool Team News:
Chris Turner will have a minimum of 3 of his summer signings available for selection with the forth, Fabian Yantarno unlikely to get international clearance in time for the trip to Rochdale. Left back Even Horwood is expected to go straight into the starting 11 and will most likely be joined by fellow new signing Paul Murry in centre midfield. Keeper Rafferty will most likely find himself as cover for first choice Scott Flinders. Gary Liddle is suspended for Saturdays game, it is expected that he will be replaced by Peter Hartley in the centre of defence along side captain Sam Collins. Ritchie Humphreys is still recovering from an Achilles problem and will miss the trip to Dale but Leon McSweeney has shaken of a hip injury and is able to travel with the squad.
Player to watch: James Brown
James Brown has shown he is more than capable of being a standout talent at this level. However the young striker has had his early career hampered by long-term injuries. In 5 seasons only twice has he managed over 30 appearances for the club. A lot of pressure will be on James Brown to provide the goals and the creative spark in Hartlepool’s attacking third and with a full pre-season under his belt, will this be Browns time to shine?
Match Facts & Stats
These two sides are no strangers, as they meet for the 141st time in all competitions. Pools have travelled to Rochdale 66 times in the league, winning 16, drawing 12 and losing 38. In fact you have to go back to January 1999 to find Hartlepool’s last win in Rochdale, when Ian Clark scored in a 0-1 win. 33 Players have donned the strips of both teams including; Darrell Clarke, Sean McAuley, James Sharpe, Marcus Richardson and fans favourite Chris Beech.
Match Prediction:
Rochdale 2 – 1 Hartlepool
Hartlepool have not won away at Rochdale in over 10 years and with Dale undoubtedly in high spirits after their promotion to League One. However neither side have won a competitive game since mid April and the first goal in this encounter will be all to important.
Next Fixtures:
Hartlepool have two home games in quick succession. The first in the first round of the League Cup as Championship Sheffield United visit The Vic. Then on Saturday Pools see the return of former boss Danny Wilson as he brings his promotion hopefuls Swindon Town.
Looking forward to seeing James Brown again!!!