Preview: Pools Hoping For A Christmas Miracle!

Hartlepool travel to League leaders Leeds United in search of their first ever points at Elland Road.

Vital Quotes:

Home Team Focus

Leeds United are in great form, not only do they sit top of the table, they are also unbeaten in 13 games and have kept 4 clean sheets in the last 5 games. Also boss Simon Grayson is celebrating a very successful year in-charge of Leeds on the 23rd December and I am sure he will be looking to celebrate in style against Hartlepool United on Boxing Day.

Although not all is well at the Elland Road club. Striker Jermaine Beckford refused to shake his mangers hand and walked straight down the tunnel after being substituted against Southampton last weekend.

Since then Beckford has apologized and manager Simon Grayson said the issue has been put to bed. However it does raise yet more questions about Beckford’s long-term future at the club with reports stating that Middlesbrough are leading the chase for the prolific front man.

”Jermaine explained and apologized for his actions which I fully accept. I made it clear that I don’t need it to happen again and he’s bought into what I’ve said. It’s been put to bed now and I expect to see Jermaine in a Leeds shirt on Boxing Day looking to knock the goals in over the Christmas period.’ Simon Grayson (Leeds United).

Away Team Focus

Hartlepool needed a reaction and all three points against Yeovil last weekend, after throwing away yet another lead the week before away at Southend, sadly the reaction only lasted 45 minutes. Once again pools fans had to watch a game of two halves as the home side plodded through the first half before Chris Turner’s half time team talk seem to spark them into life to rescue a 1-1 draw with Yeovil.

Now Hartlepool have travel to league leaders Leeds United, on Boxing day, with the team on it`s worst run of the season. Hartlepool have only picked up four points in the last 6 games and have continuously thrown away first have leads in all the games they have lost since mid November.

This week we heard from inform defender Gary Liddle as he spoke honestly about the Yeovil game as he declared that Pools have to play for 90 minutes, not 45!

“The first half followed on from Southend and was unacceptable. Training has been good this week so I don’t know why there was a hangover. But in the second half we created a lot of chances and could have won the game. The manager just said at half-time to get it down and pass it because we didn’t do that well enough in the first half which is not good enough for a home game, against Yeovil as well who we are expected to beat.”
 Gary Liddle (HUFC)

Leeds Team News:

Manager Simon Grayson has no new or major injuries or suspensions to deal with and it is likely that he will field the same starting 11 as he did against Southampton. However as we enter the busy festive period Grayson might be tempted to rest one or two of his star players.

Despite his antics last week against Southampton Jermaine Beckford is likely to keep his place in the starting 11 as he looks to continue his great scoring form against Hartlepool United.

Player to watch: Jermaine Beckford

Jermiane Beckford has scored in every game he has started against Hartlepool United and there is no doubt he will want to continue that trend. If you believe the speculation this very well could be Beckford’s last game for Leeds United at Elland Road, as the home side do not return here till mid January. Since Beckford became a first team regular in the 2007/08 campaign he has scored 74 goals in 111 games.

Hartlepool Team News:

Hartlepool`s injury worries could be starting to ease over the Christmas period with the club hoping to see Steve Haslam, Matty Tymon and Neil Austin return to training over the festive period. Although inform goalkeeper Scott Flinders is playing with a shoulder injury and is hoping to make it through the next two games before given the chance to rest. Brown and Behan are both still out.

Although Colin Larkin could be in contention for the trip Leeds, which adds much need competition to the strike force. One big decision Turner will have to make is who will replace Andy Monkhouse who reached 5 yellow cards and will serve a one-match ban.

Player to watch: Gary Liddle

Gary Liddle seems to be having his best season yet in a Hartlepool United shirt and most would attribute that to Chris Turner for moving the midfielder to centre back at the start of the season. Since his move to centre back he has drawn a lot of attention and praise and there has even been speculation of a big move north of the boarder. However all this will be put a side as the local lad comes face to face with one of the leagues top strikers.

Match Facts & Stats

The two sides have only met 4 times in the league, with the first encounter being September 8th 2007. In the four games Hartlepool have only managed 1 draw and have suffered 3 defeats, two of which have been at Elland Road. Jermaine Beckford will be looking to continue his goal scoring exploits, as the Leeds United hit man has scored against Hartlepool in every League and Cup fixture he has started for Leeds.

Match Prediction:

Leeds United 3 – 0 Hartlepool United


It is hard to look past the hard facts of this encounter and the likely out come is that Leeds will stretch their unbeaten run to 14 games with a comfortable victory over Hartlepool. However Pools fans can grasp onto the hope of a small Christmas miracle as Hartlepool go searching for their first points from Elland Road.

Next Fixtures:

Hartlepool host Oldham Athletic on Monday 28th December. United will be desperate for all three points before the New Year as the start of 2010 is not kind to Chris Turner and his Hartlepool team.