By Albatross
August 26 2005

Time for the traditional Bank Holiday weekend Double-Header then; and first up is arguably the tougher game. The trip to the Galpharm Stadium to take on Huddersfield Town may bring back memories of last season's televised game there - but our opponents look a lot stronger this time around. The Terriers will offer yet another tough challenge to HUFC after making a promising start to the season - and their forwards look capable of causing more than the odd problem for Pools. So far their record shows just one defeat - against Nottingham Forest on the Opening Day - and if you include their midweek cup triumph over Chesterfield they're averaging two goals a game so far.

Their home record currently shows two wins out of two - over Bristol City and Swansea - and as yet no-one has scored past them at the Galpharm Stadium. Pawel Abbott has continued his impressive form of last season, scoring in every game so far, and new arrival from Lincoln Gary Taylor-Fletcher opened his account with at Hat-Trick in the Carling Cup. That looks to have come at just the right time for Huddersfield - Andy Booth is struggling with a hamstring problem, and is unlikely to be risked from the start.

There are a few other injury worries for the home side as well: David Mirfin and Adnan Ahmed remain on the sidelines, while Mark Hudson is also doubtful; likewise Andy Holdsworth and Martin McIntosh, who both picked up knocks at Saltergate.

Pools boss Martin Scott meanwhile faces some interesting selection problems. Eifion Williams missed out against Darlo but looks set to be fit; recalling him on the flank would mean a decision having to be made between Humphreys and Robson for left back. Even in Williams doesn't return there are other options - Llewellyn or Bullock for example. Scott also has to decide whether to carry on with Strachan in midfield, or to restore Bullock alongside Sweeney - I think it's too soon for Saturday to introduce Tinkler despite his return to fitness. In fact the permutations in midfield are starting to look endless. That's not the only place - up front he has to perm two from Boyd (hopefully able to concentrate on his football after this week's "revelations" in the salacious red-tops), Daly, and Proctor. Sadly for Boyd, he may find himself on the bench again as it would be hard to leave out Proctor after his double against Darlo, or Daly after his hard-working performances and a couple of goals.

Make no mistake, this is yet another hard game in a month that has been full of them. Huddersfield finished last season in some style, and have for the most part continued their form - particularly at home. Their front line is looking dangerous, and they have yet to conceed at home. Pools will have to battle hard, and I'd say that I'm showing more than a little optimism when I predict a 1-1 draw - Proctor to net again.