By Albatross
September 20 2002

Pools take on Bury at Gigg Lane as the League Leaders by a full three points; will we still be clear after the match? Albatross looks at Pools chances. "Cash-strapped" is a phrase that has traditionally been associated with Pools, but in recent seasons that appellation has become more associated with Bury. Their much-publicised financial problems contributed in their relegation from Division 2 last season, and they were expected to face another season of struggle this year as well.

Their first two games seemed to show this to be correct, as an opening day defeat at Oxford was followed by another loss at home to Cambridge. Things picked up after that though, and the Shakers had been unbeaten for seven games before Tuesday's loss at Bristol Rovers. That run included five wins, one of them at home to Stoke in the Worthington Cup. Bury have won their last four games at Gigg Lane.

Most of the talk on the unofficial Y3K site this week has not been about that defeat, or even the match against Pools; instead, most contributors seem to have been concentrating on the draw for the Worthy Cup that has seen them paired with local rivals Bolton at the Reebok. The fans may be a little guilty of taking their eye off the ball, but Manager Andy Preece will know that Bury's League Form is what matters.

Currently Shakers sit just outside the Playoff zone with 14 Points, six less than Pools. They have scored a healthy 15 goals, but have also shown a tendency to concede as well, with 14 goals against. Once ahead, Bury tend to stay ahead according to the stats; conversely, once behind it's rare for them to come back. The first goal could be crucial.

Leading scorer for Bury so far this season is Jon Newby, a former Liverpool trainee that joined permanently after a loan spell towards the end of 2000/1. A total of just 6 goals last time looks certain to be beaten as he has already found the net 5 times. He's likely to be partnered up front by Pawel Abbott; the Preston man is on loan to Bury and has scored four times.

Another Loanee, Terry Dunfield from Manchester City, has also impressed the Gigg Lane faithful this season in midfield, while full-backs Unsworth and Stuart have impressed going forward. In midfield, there is also the possibility that former Wigan player Ian Kilford will start for Shakers.

Pools look likely to name the same side that beat Lincoln in midweek, with Adam Boyd no doubt hoping to add to his wonder strike on Tuesday and Eifion Williams looking to continue his good form.

The last time we played at Gigg Lane was more than six years ago; on New Years Day 1996 a struggling Pools side went there and thanks to a good performance from Brian Horne and a hat-trick from one Stephen Halliday (yes it was him, I was there to confirm it) we came away with a much-needed 3-0 victory. Somehow I don't think we'll see a repeat of that scoreline this time around, although it would be good!

Prediction time then. Bury look weak at the back and my heart says that they're there for the taking; but my head says that this should be our toughest away game so far and so I'm going for a 2-2 draw with Tinks and Eifion to score.