By Albatross
December 31 2004

With the Tsunami in the Indian Ocean having killed tens of thousands, it seems almost strange to be talking football; however sport continues and so Hartlepool United will visit Barnsley on New Year's Day. While world events continue onward though, Football is making it's own contributions - the Pools players having decide to donate 10% of their wage packet to the appeal fund is great news, and of course every club is making their own efforts one way or the other. For the moment though, it's time to focus on events on the pitch and the game at Oakwell.

Ironically, Barnsley has been one of the clubs where the focus over the last 12 months or so has been firmly on things off the pitch. This time last year Gudjon Thordarson seemed to have them as certainties for the playoffs; his departure and replacement by Paul Hart seemed more than a little odd, and under the former Notts Forest boss the Tykes declined into a mid-table side. Instead the interest seemed to be in whether Peter Ridsdale in the boardroom was going to continue where he left off at Leeds.

Ridsdale's departure has hit the headlines, but Barnsley fans will be thankful that there's no sign of the Administrators - at least for the moment. Nevertheless, the money side of things is a subject of some scepticism from some observers; how could Barnsley, a club that barely survived a couple of seasons ago, afford to start splashing out money on the likes of Stephen MacPhail (rumoured to be on the sort of wages some clubs a division above would pay to star players), Jacob Burns and the on-loan Michael Chopra? The recent change of ownership and the subsequent resignation of Ridsdale may see an end to the big money signings - but possibly a sigh of relief from Tykes fans, who may at least feel that team matters will now be what hits the headlines.

On the pitch this season our opponents have not exactly hit the heights, with niggling injuries restricting the impact of MacPhail not helping matters. In fact, looking at their record the word that springs to mind is "average": just below halfway in the table, with eight wins, eight draws and eight defeats. Their home and away records are identical, with four of each result - meaning they are able to boast just the 17th best home record in the league.

Recent form did seem to indicate a turned corner, but appearances can be deceptive; they won four successive league games from late November, but the teams they beat are those currently in 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st; and Tuesday saw them collapse horrendously at home to Stockport, going from having a 3-0 lead to drawing 3-3 and having a few nervous moments towards the end that could have seen them lose!

In fact, Barnsley's results this season seem to indicate that a big problem for them is holding onto a lead. They've been pegged back from ahead nine times - losing four of them - and have only pulled back from behind twice, both times for draws. Good starters but poor finishers would seem to be the order of the day.

Talking of finishers, who are likely to be the main goal threats to Pools? Leading scorer is the on-loan Chopra with eight goals; one behind him is former Darlington forward Barry Conlon. Conlon though seems to drift in and out of favour with Hart, and has found himself on the bench on numerous occasions. Currently partnering Chopra is former Grimsby striker Mickey Boulding (4 goals). Meanwhile, former Pools loan man Chris Shuker has netted five from the wing. Trying to stop the goals at the other end is a player that has already been on the losing side against Pools this season; Middlesbrough keeper Ross Turnbull is currently in goal for the Oakwell side but was at Bradford when we beat them on the opening day of the season.

Turnbull may find himself under extra pressure as Barnsley are likely to have to make changes in defence. Paul Reid and Tom Williams were both forced off with injuries against Stockport, a move that certainly did the home side no favours; and one of their possible replacements, Robbie Williams, is out with a virus. Matt Carbon is likely to step up from the bench.

The injury and illness news from Pools currently sounds good. Ben Clark is at last available again, although he's likely to get no further than the bench; and the illness that forced Boyd and Porter to be replaced at half time against Bristol City has apparently passed, leaving both players available for selection. It's highly likely that there won't be any changes from the side that took a hard-earnt point at Ashton Gate.

Pools should go into this game with a fair degree of confidence. Three wins and a draw from our last four games, Westwood and Nelson looking outstanding in defence, Porter working his socks off up front and Boyd slotting in the goals even when some feel he isn't at his best adds up to a highly encouraging prospect for Pools fans. Barnsley though will be aiming to tighten things up at the back and try and put Tuesday's horror show behind them. I'll go for the draw, 1-1 with Robertson to grab the Pools goal.