By Neil Ravenscroft
December 6 2004

The players have had a weekend off because of the Slough disaster, but now it's back to the League campaign and a home game against a team higher in the Division, but one that suffers from terrible home sickness. After achieving back to back wins for what seems like the first time since Noah managed to find a bit of mud to land on, Walsall go into what appears to be a much more difficult fixture at Bescot Stadium tomorrow night, against Hartlepool United. However, appearances can be deceptive.

Walsall have not reported any injury problems for the Second Division clash, other than the long term absence of goalkeeper Richard McKinney. Indeed, with an enforced weekend rest, thanks to the first round FA Cup disaster at Slough, the squad should be as well prepared as it could be. However, Neil Emblen will be missing, having picked up his fifth booking this season, and there is a worry about Roper and Bennett's ability to play together and having only youngster Scott Dann as cover.

Hartlepool have also not reported on availability as yet, but that is probably more to do with the aftermath of their 5 – 1 thrashing of Aldershot in the FA Cup on Saturday. They picked up a home tie with Boston in the Third Round Draw, so they will be feeling pretty confident of progress.

So, what are the prospects for the game? Hartlepool are sitting comfortably in ninth place in the Division, just five points ahead of us, so it looks, at first sight, a daunting prospect, assuming that we are only at the beginning of a revival in fortune. A closer look, however, paints a somewhat different picture. Hartlepool are where they are on home form and away from home, their record is dire. They have only one win away from the Victoria Ground this season, although that did come, surprisingly, at Huddersfield, way back on August 16th. They have, however, lost at Milton Keynes and Peterborough, for example, conceding 7 goals in the process.

Predictions? Given the fact their away record is so bad, that they played in the FA Cup on Saturday while we had a weekend off, I can only see a home win. 2 – 1 to the Saddlers.