By Albatross
March 1 2004

Who would have thought it at the start of the season, but February ends with Hartlepool United still in contention for a playoff place. It could have been so much better, but even so with so many teams displaying inconsistency no-one can write us off just yet. It's been a mixed month for Pools. Four games, one win, one defeat; seven goals scored and the same conceded leaves us firmly in the middle of the pack. However in some cases it's a bit of what could have been, as in all three games that we didn't win we were well on top. Still, we sit in 11th place, with a game in hand on a number of the sides above us, and the points gap to Port Vale - who currently occupy the final Playoff Place - is just four points. We also have the advantage of having played two more games away than at home, something that our six games in March will see us catch up - four of them are at home, and three of them at least look very winnable with only QPR looking set to provide a real test.

Manager of the month is potentially a tricky one due to teams playing different numbers of games, with three people in the running. If you go on points earned, then ex-Pools boss Mike Newell could potentially receive the award, as Luton obtained 13 points this month; however, his side needed six games to do it in, and in terms of points per game no less than four sides have better records. Last month's winner Danny Wilson is again in the running, and if not for a surprising defeat at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday that ended their 11 game winning streak would surely have been the only contender. Meanwhile, Swindon had a 100% record but only played three games, meaning that Andy King is probably an outsider for the award.

It's been as unpredictable as ever in Division 2 this month, and you only have to look at Grimsby's results to see how much. They started the month with a 6-0 thumping at the hands of Oldham that left them in the relegation mire, sacked Paul Groves, and recorded victories over Brighton and Luton before thumping playoff-chasing Barnsley 6-1 last weekend to finish with three wins, three defeats, and the seventh best record in the division; they are now eight points clear of the drop zone and looking considerably less in danger.

Several other teams have belied their league positions. Sheffield Wednesday somehow managed three wins in the league, Notts County got six points from their four games, and Chesterfield got six from three. Barnsley got just two points and Brighton five from five. No less than six teams failed to record a win, although everyone got at least one point. Barnsley dropped five places, while Luton moved up six; and the jockeying for position at both ends is starting to see who still has something to play for.

At the top end, Plymouth and Bristol are in the pole positions for automatic promotion, and QPR need to get themselves back on track if they are to stay in contention - currently the gap is five points. The teams down to Rushden in 13th still have a realistic chance of a playoff place, those below have an outside chance but it would take a very good run of form for them.

At the bottom, Wycombe continue to look doomed - ten points away from safety - and then Stockport, Peterborough and Notts County are clear favourites to join them. There's three points between Notts, in the last relegation place, and Brentford and Chesterfield just above them; beyond that, it seems that no-one else is in danger unless they have a truly disasterous run of form.

With March being a busy month for most teams, it's possible that some issues might be settled by the end of it. Wycombe could be relegated, while the top two could have ensured at least a playoff place; while everyone else should know if the last few games will see them with anything to play for. As far as Pools are concerned, a challenge for the playoffs will probably need about 12 points from the month; those home games are important, starting with Chesterfield on Tuesday. Nothing less than victory is expected.