By Albatross
March 5 2004

Hartlepool United travel to Layer Road looking for more points to boost our playoff challenge. We've shown some decent form away from home, Colchester seem to have faded somewhat after an early season high, but it won't be an easy match for Neale Cooper's charges. Although they were in the Playoff zone as recently as Boxing Day, the last few months have seen Colchester fade badly after a great start; unless results pick up soon they will have very little to play for. January saw them winless in four attempts, February gave them one win and two defeats, and they are in 14th place, six points behind Pools.

Their most recent result was a home win over struggling Stockport on Tuesday, but the game before that - due to postponements on 24th February - was a heavy defeat at home to Port Vale. While that's their only home defeat in the last seven, it has to be said that their wins in that time have not come against the greatest opposition - to Stockport you can add Grimsby and Oldham. While their home record isn't that shabby - just three defeats and eight wins - victories over teams in the top half have not been regular enough to suggest they can challenge come the end of the season. It's tempting to say that they've been found out somewhat, and although they may not be that many points behind Pools - and indeed have a game in hand - they have played twice more at home than away, which with nine defeats from 15 on their travels already will surely count against them.

Goals scored has been the major problem - overall they are averaging just over a goal a game. When you look at their leading scorers therefore it's a surprise to see three in double figures - until you realise that they've also played 15 games in the cups this season. Scott McGleish's tally of 15 includes no less than seven in the cups, Rowan Vine (on loan from Portsmouth) has scored half of his twelve in cup competitions, and the only player to have scored more than McGleish's eight in the league is former Oldham hotshot Wayne Andrews with 11. In fact, just seven players have been on target in league games for the Layer Road side.

To add to their woes, McGleish and recently appointed skipper Karl Duguid both suffered knee ligament injuries against Stockport in midweek and will definately miss the game against Pools. Also missing will be Andy Myers - out since Christmas with back trouble - and the suspended Craig Fagan. Phil Parkinson is running out of fit players, and Joe Keith and Sam Stockley - both missing due to illness in midweek - will probably have to play. Keith would slot in on the left, leaving Vine to move up front with Andrews.

Pools have injury concerns of their own, but do have more options. Strachan's recurrence of his knee injury once more leaves a place up for grabs in the midfield, while Robinson's continued absence means that Porter and Williams will again make up the forward line. After his impressive spell as a sub on the left of midfield, it's possible that Matty Robson will start there, with Humphreys moving inside to partner Tinkler; the other option is to recall Darrell Clarke to the centre again. Beyond that it's unlikely that Cooper will opt for changes.

This is a game that Pools may fancy their chances in, but Parkinson's side showed in the return fixture that they can be extremely well organised. After going down to ten men early on, they essentially shut up shop, and Pools couldn't find a way past them - and in the end were thankful that Provett, who had spent most of the game as a spectator, remained on his toes to save our bacon near the end. I don't think it will be much of a spectacle, and I reckon we'll have to settle for a point - 1-1, with Williams to continue his current hot streak.