Hartlepool United travel to Edgeley Park looking to capitalise on a convincing win over Walsall
Vital Quotes:
Stockport County find themselves in a similar position to Hartlepool’s last weekend. With only 2 wins so far this season and short on goals Stockport are in need of 3 points to help calm the air around the County ground.
However it is not all bad for County fans. They have only lost one league game in the last 6, but did record their first home won 2 weeks ago and are proving tough opposition. With a bit more luck and a few more goals Stockport could easily find themselves higher up the league and manager Ablett feels his side have turned the corner as the teams form and results start to come together.
”If we keep improving like we are doing, we’ll go places. If we get the ball down, these lads can play. This team is learning, so I’m hoping we can go on to bigger things.”
– Gary Ablett (Stockport County).
Now that Chris Turner has the ‘home win monkey’ off his back he will be hoping that the confidence in the team will carry through to the next game when Pools travel to Stockport.
Turner made three changes to the Hartlepool side for the Walsall game and it appears to have paid off. Turner’s main focus this week will be at the top end of the pitch as Turner still looks to find the best partnership upfront.
”When you make changes to your team you want to see a reaction and I think overall we played very well. We looked to have more confidence and flair going forward and I was very pleased with the way the lads went about it from the off today.”
– Chris Turner (HUFC).
Stockport Team News:
County are without Matty Mainwaring as he continues his recovery from a broken leg as well as Oli Johnson who is out for 2 weeks with an ankle injury. It is likely that manager Gary Ablett will field an unchanged team for what will be the 3rd consecutive game after a win and a draw against Leyton Orient and Huddersfield respectively.
Stockport’s greatest strength comes in the centre of midfield in the shape of Baker and Bridcutt, the former has been scoring goals for fun so far this season whilst his midfield partner has been protecting the back for four at all cost. The on-loan Chelsea star has had an eventful start to his Stockport career with 2 yellow cards, 1 red card and a slot in this weeks League 1 team of the week, all that and he has only played 5 games.
Player to watch: Carl Baker
This is only Bakers 3rd season in league football. Signing for newly promoted Morecambe in 07/08 from Southport, Baker went on to score 10 goals in 40 starts from midfield. This impressive start to football league life caught the attention of former County boss Jim Gannon who paid a six-figure sum for the midfielders services.
His first season at Stockport was cut-short with injury however he looks set to make-up for lost time banging-in 6 goals in 9 games, accounting to 60% of Stockport’s full goal tally for the season.
Hartlepool Team News:
With several strong performances from Pools at the weekend and no new injuries, it would be unlikely that Turner will change his starting 11, if he does it will surely be down to a tactical reasons and weather Hartlepool start with 1 or 2 upfront.
After the Walsall game Turner gave a special mention to Humphreys and Austin who came into the team at the weekend as well as Brown who put in an impressive performance from the wing. He will be looking to these players to make as big an impact on the game at Stockport as they did at home.
Player to watch: Ritchie Humphreys
Humphreys made his first league start at the weekend and put in a commanding performance from the centre of midfield. Controlling the tempo of Hartlepool’s attacks and it was his quick passing and defence splitting pass that brought the first goal.
Hartlepool will be looking for an equally impressive display from Humphreys and if he delivers it could be another match winning performance.
Match Facts & Stats
Chris Turner and Fred Westgarth have the honour of being the only to managers in history to take control of both clubs. However the same can`t be said for the playing staff, with no fewer than 50 players making appearances for both Hartlepool and Stockport dating back to the mid 1920` when Allan Livingstone started the popular trend.
The teams have met 124 times in the league, Pools have made 62 visits to Stockport and have come away with points on 25 occasions including 14 wins and 11 draws.
Match Prediction:
Stockport County 1 – 1 Hartlepool United
At first glance I had this as a draw and after a closer look, now more than ever I think it will be honours even at the County ground. However Hartlepool should be in buoyant mode after Saturdays win and with Stockport unbeaten in 3, on paper this should be an exciting game. If there is to be a winner from this game it is likely that it will come from the team that wins the midfield battle.
Hartlepool will be looking to Humphreys to pool the strings from midfield, whilst County will be hoping Bakers scoring form continues.
Next Fixtures:
Hartlepool hit the long, long road to Exeter next Saturday. It could be a journey well worth making as Exeter struggle to get going this season. With only 4 points from a possible15 and a tough home game against Swindon to come before pools, Hartlepool could find themselves playing a team in the bottom four.
