Preview: Pools v Mansfield

Hartlepool United welcome Mansfield Town to Victoria Park tonight, the Stags come into the game off the back of a thumping 4-1 win over League Two newboys Hereford United. Pools boss Danny Wilson is in a bullish mood after seeing his side perform brilliantly at the National Hockey Stadium, looks like a good game could be on the cards.

Vital Quotes:

Hartlepool United boss Danny Wilson says:

‘Mansfield are coming off the back of a terrific 4-1 win (over Hereford) but there’s no reason why we shouldn’t go there with confidence. We’ve been to and played against the so-called favourites in this league and performed well against them. We’ll respect them but we’ve no reason to fear them.’

Mansfield Town gaffer Peter Shirtliff commented:

‘I know Danny well, we were at Sheffield Wednesday together and he gave me my first coaching job at Barnsley.

e likes his teams to try to play football and we will have to be on our toes as it will probably be a decent passing game. Hopefully we can play our football.’

Hartlepool Team News:

Pools boss Danny Wilson is once again without the suspended John Brackstone and the injured Mark Tinkler. Gary Liddle will continue at left back with Ben Clark and Michael Nelson in the centre of defence. Alistar Gibb will make his home debut on the right wing, I also expect a recall for striker Joel Porter who started the MK Dons game on the substitute bench.

Player to watch: Alistar Gibb

The wide man’s move to Pools was just about the worst kept secret of the summer, the deal was finally completed and he impressed in his debut against MK Dons. The home fans will be looking to him to supply the crosses for the Pools strikers tonight.

Mansfield Team News:

Mr Shirtliff is sweating on the fitness of Simon Brown who collected a deadleg in the 4-1 win over Hereford on Saturday. Gareth Jelleyman and Jon Olav-Hjelde are both expected to miss out on the 16 man squad.

Player to watch: Ritchie Barker

Time served lower division striker Barker has already notched five times this season, with four goals in his last four games Barker comes to the Vic bang in form.

Match Facts & Stats

Hartlepool 1-1 Torquay
Burnley 0-1 Hartlepool
Hereford 3-1 Hartlepool
Hartlepool 2-1 Boston Utd
Milton Keynes 0-0 Hartlepool

Grimsby 1-1 Mansfield
Huddersfield 0-2 Mansfield
Mansfield 2-4 Lincoln
Wycombe 1-0 Mansfield
Mansfield 4-1 Hereford

Match Prediction:

Pools are still struggling to find the back of the onion bag this season. Saturday saw us take MK Dons to the cleaners in every department with the exception of the most important one, the goalscoring one. Another missed penalty saw two more points dropped, two winnable home games this week and we must take all six points and start climbing the division. I’m going for a 2-0 Pools win.

Next Fixtures:

Hartlepool vs Shrewsbury 16-09-2006
Peterborough vs Hartlepool 23-09-2006
Grimsby vs Hartlepool 26-09-2006