By Albatross
October 15 2004

Hartlepool United face Chesterfield knowing that we need to maintain our good home record given how poor we are away from Victoria Park. The good news is that Chesterfield aren't much cop on their travels either... Chesterfield have surprised many this season, and although they have declined somewhat from their high point of 2nd at the end of August they still sit comfortably in 8th place. This has been mostly built on the back of their home form - four wins and two draws mean they have gained the same number of points as Pools in home games.

Away from Saltergate the Spirites have struggled to gain results. Their only win in six games came through three late goals at Bradford; a point from a 0-0 draw with Huddersfield is the only other away point. While they have felt themselves unlucky in some games - particularly their defeat to Hull last weekend - the reality is that they have now lost their last three away games in the league and additionally gone out of the LDV at Macclesfield, and last tasted victory almost a month ago.

Leading scorer for Chesterfield so far this season in Tcham N'Toya; the Kinshasha (DR Congo) born Frenchman has netted five times after joining at the end of last season from Chesterfield's Twin Town club Troyes - giving him ample opportunity for some athletic celebrations. Caleb Folan has scored three, and may return from injury to start up front; other options for Roy McFarland are the veteran Wayne Allison and Mark Stallard, currently on loan from Barnsley.

In goal is likely to be sometime Pools loanee Carl Muggleton, but McFarland does have one or two selection problems elsewhere on the field. Defenders Kevin Dawson and Mark Inees, and midfielder Mark Hudson will all miss the game; however, Folan and Derek Niven could return after injury while on-loan Charlton man Jamal Campbell-Ryce is available after suspension.

Pools meanwhile have Tony Sweeney available again after his three match ban, and he may well step straight back into the midfield in place of the now departed Alan Pouton. Martin Woods is also available again after returning for a second month's loan, and Jim Provett has recovered from a throat infection that kept him away from training earlier this week. Jack Ross is making good progress as he recovers from knee surgery, but is unlikely to be involved in the first team for at least another couple of weeks, and Robertson and Clarke are still some way off full fitness.

Cooper was far from pleased with the result at Luton, and changes may be afoot. The Tinkler/Nelson partnership is under threat with Westie looking the likely beneficiary; the question for Cooper is whether to move Tinkler into midfield, drop one of the two, or leave things as they are. Meanwhile, with Woods around again Cooper also has options in midfield and to an extent up front - although Woods may have to settle for a role as a substitute.

This is a game that Pools can and possibly should win - although Chesterfield are a hard working side and won't make it easy. I'm going for a 1-0 win for Pools, with Boyd scoring the goal - and a few scares along the way.