By Eggy_Poolie
January 6 2007

Hartlepool go into todays game looking to make history. Hartlepool will break a football league record if we win without conceding. To help acheive this feat new signing Richie Barker is expected to be in the starting XI

Hartlepool take on Shrewsbury this afternoon and there is guarenteed to be changes to the Pools line up. New striker Richie Barker is set to start up front after Darryl Duffy returned to Hull after his 2 month loan with the club, and as far as we are aware there is no Andy Monkhouse so that could see a return for Matty Robson and Jon Daly left the club during the week to join Dundee United. Pools are also without Micky Nelson who is still recovering from a knee injury.

''I felt that this club is going in the right direction. I am determined to win something before my career ends. I'm 31-years-old now and this is my chance to play in a successful team, to go and get a medal or play in a higher division.'' Richie Barker

Hartlepool have 3 huge incentives for victory today. 
1. To get the three points to go level with Swindon
2. A vicotry without conceding will see Pools break a football league record
3. To get revenge for Shrewsbury's 3-0 win at The Vic back in September

Shrewsbury will be no pushovers. They have scored 22 goals at home and have only lost 3 times at Gay Meadow. They are just 3 points off the playoff places so will be looking to put pressure on the playoff places with at least a draw today.

''We've got to worry about our form and keeping that going, we played Darlington who had lost seven games on the trot and that worried me because sooner or later that was going to change. We are now playing someone who have won nine on the trot and sooner or later that will change so lets hope we are the team that changes it." Shrewsbury manager Gary Peters