By Albatross
August 6 2004

Here comes the crunch! Hartlepool United take on Bradford City in the first game of Season 2004/5. And there's a new face at Pools too - Kevin Betsy's trial period has become a month's loan, and he's in the squad for Saturday's game at Victoria Park. Bradford have been in a state of turmoil over the summer, and the fans in the sold-out Rink End will more than anything be relieved to see their team starting the season at all. In many ways it sounds reminiscent of the game against Carlisle that was the first of our promotion season two years ago - with a host of players coming in at the last minute.

Steve Schumacher, Michael Symes, Lee Crookes and Ross Turnbull (on loan from Middlesbrough) have all signed in the last ten days, and with a number of players having departed over the summer they will be lining up alongside several veterans such as Peter Atherton (34), David Wetherall (33), Dean Windass (35) and Nicky Summerbee (33 in three weeks). Colin Todd's side is therefore very much still a work in progress - and it's debatable how well they will blend. With Ross Turnbull having to be signed to fill the Goalkeeper's gloves - the other keepers on their way are awaiting International Clearance and Work Permits etc - Bradford in almost the opposite position to Pools.

The Hartlepool squad has a very settled look to it, and if the lessons of the last few years are anything to go by this can only be a good thing. The players know each other, know what they are capable of, and should still be brimful of confidence after last year's playoff achievements.

Only two new signings are with the squad, with Jack Ross having spent all of pre-season with us and then Kevin Betsy arriving almost literally at the last minute. Betsy's trial has been turned very rapidly into a month's loan, and by the noises on the official site he's managed to maintain a good level of fitness despite not playing a single pre-season game - a positive sign in my book. Betsy is unlikely to start, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him on the bench.

Ross though may well find himself filling in for Mickey Barron at Right Back - a role he has played in a few times in pre-season. It's a position he has played in before; the other option seems to be to play Darren Craddock there with Ross in the midfield role he was signed to play in.

Most of the team is probably going to be as expected. Provett looks nailed-on to start in goal, Nelson, Westwood and Robertson should make up three of the back four, Tinkler should start in the centre of Midfield with Humphreys on the left, and Boyd will undoubtedly start up front. After that though, there are options...

We've already discussed right back; that may well impact who plays on the right of midfield. If Ross drops back, then the options would be Clarke, Istead, or possibly Betsy. In the centre, Clarke may also be hoping to force his way in, while Sweeney and Strachan are probably the strongest contenders. Up front, Williams and Porter are battling to partner Boyd, and have Betsy for company too now. It has to be said that none of these permutations look exactly shoddy - was someone muttering about strength in depth there?

For what it's worth, I expect to see Ross in defence, Clarke starting on the right, and Porter alongside Boyd. I could be very wrong, but let's see.

So what about the result then? Bradford fans are travelling more in hope than expectation, and Pools will be eager to establish themselves as contenders again with an emphatic home win. It's hard to see where our opponents will get goals from, and they have an inexperienced - if promising - goalkeeper starting for them for the first time. Only one result surely - so it's a Home Win for me. 3-0 to Pools, with Boyd grabbing a brace and Betsy coming off the bench to grab a late third.