James Brown - out

By Clarence Rode
November 27 2008

Hartlepool United's worst fears have been confirmed with the news that James Brown is out for the rest of the season with a serious knee injury. Already without the influential Willie Boland for weeks, losing Brown is a blow Pools could have done without as they try to find come consistency in League One.

With a paper thin squad and not much prospect of being able to strengthen it, Pools can ill afford to lose a player of Brown's ability and potential. This isn't just a setback for the team as well as the player, it's a major blow.
Brown was out for much of the season before last with a knee injury he picked up in a pre-season friendly, and now it's been cofirmed he has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in the other knee.
Danny Wilson will have to get through the rest of the season without a player he felt was still improving and the manager says he feels gutted for Brown. probably not half as gutted as Brown himself feels.
A lot of fans appear to hope that the team's inconsistency and defensive frailty could be solved in the January transfer window.
But they should perhaops ask a simple question - if Pools had no money to strengthen the squad in the summer, how will they have money in January when gates this season have been way below the average for League One.
The difference between the haves and the have nots was shown last weekend when Leeds attracted more than 21,000 for their game against Pools, and three days later Pools attracted just over 3,100 for their game against Bristol Rovers.
Makes you wonder how Leeds managed to go tits up doesn't it? But then they did throw the money about a bit, eh?
So it might be an idea not to expect Pools to flash the cash in the New Year, then if they do it will be a pleasant suprise.
Meanwhile, Pools go to non-League Fleetwood in the second round of the Cup on Saturday, and anything other than a win will make November a really crap month - no League wins and JB out for the season.