By Albatross
October 19 2004

Hartlepool United travel to Brentford, but surely more in hope than expectation. Our opponents have been formidable at home this season - and they did the double over us last year as well. A draw would be a great result in my book! Having been in serious danger of relegation until a change of manager last season, Brentford have continued this season under Martin Allen where they left off last year: currently they are in second place in the table, two points clear of Bradford and Hull.

To make this an even harder prospect for a Pools side that has been struggling on it's travels, the Bees are current owners of the best home record in the division following Luton's defeat at the weekend: six wins out of six at Griffin Park, and the only blemish at all came when they fielded a weakened side in the LDV Trophy against Franchise - the team they drew with at the weekend.

While no one player has been prolific for Brentford, they have shared the goals around well - Deon Burton, former Barnsley forward Isaiah Rankin and ex-Palace and England player John Salako lead the way with three each, and two more players have scored twice. The defence has also played an important role - Doncaster scored three of the four goals they have conceded at home in their second match of the season, and since then only Bournemouth have notched at Griffin Park.

In fact, the Brentford backline is currently on a run of five games since last conceding a goal; Stuart Nelson in goal had a performance that some Brentford fans feel was his best on Saturday, while the likes of Sam Sodje, Scott Fitzgerald, Andy Myers and Andy Frampton have performed admirably. If there is hope for Pools, it's that Brentford will be missing several players from their backline: Fitzgerald and Frampton have been recovering from injury and may well find this is a bit too early for them, Sodje suffered a head injury on Saturday and will probably miss out, while Myers is suspended after a somewhat harsh dismissal for two yellow cards on Saturday. With club captain Michael Dobson also on the sidelines, Michael Turner, on loan from Charlton, is likely to have one or two new faces alongside him with youngster Karleigh Osborne set for his debut at left back.

Pools at least have no new injury worries for the game, but Cooper will have concerns in other areas: specifically, our defending which is still not what it could be. While the general consensus is that the penalty decision on Saturday was a very poor one, it can't be denied that it would never have happened if Nelson hadn't made the initial error to let Allison through; and to then concede early in the second half again was definately not what the manager wanted to see. Will Westwood return to the centre of defence then? It's a possibility, as is a change of system: but although this is the sort of game that a 3-5-2 formation might be appropriate, the injuries to Ross and Robertson have deprived us of the two most likely looking wingbacks. Should Westie come in then it's probable that Tinkler would replace Strachan in midfield - but don't discount the chance that Nelson might make way either.

Pools need to be on top form if they are to take anything from this match, and given our atrocious away record I can't see it myself. I'd be more than happy with a point, but can't help feeling that this will go to form - a 2-0 defeat at Griffin Park, and yet another post mortem on the defensive performance.