Hartlepool make the long trip south as they face Gillingham at Preistfield tomorrow
Vital Quotes:
”A lot of people are talking about me and Boydy playing up front and didn’t mention Denis. But Denis has done really well in the last couple of games so there are no hard feelings.
It’s nice to have someone up there who takes the kicks. I thought he was our best player against Charlton and again on Tuesday when he scored. Denis is obviously a physical presence up there which me and Boydy probably don’t offer as much of.”
– James Brown on Denis Behan
”I think he’s top class. He talks to the back four and his positioning his excellent. He is rebuilding his career. He was one of the best England U20 keepers around but then he’s been stuck in the reserves at Crystal Palace and been on loan to Falkirk and places.
He’s given up that life to come here to rebuild his career and I think he’s doing extremely well.”
– Chris Turner on Scott Flinders
”We have to get three points on Saturday and kick on because what I’ve seen of this division is that there is nothing to be scared of. We’re a young side, we are a good side and we have to kick on.”
– Alan Julian (Gillingham FC Goalkeeper)
Gillingham Team News:
Influential defender Simon King is still out with an ankle problem along with midfielder Stuart Lewis who has a similar problem.
Josh Gowling will play his last game before returning to parent club Carlisle United as his loan comes to an end. Dennis Oli returns from injury to take a place on the bench.
Player to watch: Simeon Jackson
The lightning paced Canadian has started the season on fire scoring 4 goals so far adding to his 20 he scored last season firing Gillingham to promotion.
Jackson will be a thorn in Hartlepool’s side today and will have to be marshalled carefully and with thought.
Hartlepool Team News:
Ben Clark and Ritchie Humphreys are still out of contention, possibly for the next three weeks as is Colin Larkin who still has a thigh problem. Ritchie Jones may have recovered from his groin strain in time for Saturday’s game.
Otherwise no changes are expected to be made from the midweek Bristol Rovers game. Boyd or Brown will start alongside Denis Behan unless Chris Turner reverts to packing the midfield with five and leaving Behan up front by himself.
Player to watch: Scott Flinders
Flinders has never conceded a goal away from home so far in a competitive match for Pools, can he and the defence produce another shut out?
Match Facts & Stats
Hartlepool have played Gillingham away 16 times and have never beaten them. The stats get even worse as we have only scored 7 times against them in those 16 outings but they have put 39 past the Pools defence.
The last time we played them at the Priestfield Stadium Pools were beaten 2-1 with James Brown netting our only goal. Harry Clark is our top scorer against Gillingham with three goals registered.
Match Prediction:
Gillingham 2 v 0 Hartlepool United
The omens are there for Pools to seem we have never beaten Gillingham at the Priestfield. Despite the fact I think we may produce another away display such as the two we have so far had the Gillingham forward line may contain too much pace and natural attacking talent for us to contend with over the 90 minutes. Barcham and Jackson will need to be kept in check for the duration, if not they could have a field day.
Next Fixtures:
Pools head back to the Vic for another double header, first up are Premier League side Burnley in the Carling Cup 2nd Round on Tuesday and that game is followed by controversial Norwich City coming to town on Saturday.
