By Albatross
March 24 2006

Hartlepool United face top of the table Southend United at Roots Hall on Saturday with Pools uncomfortably close to the relegation zone. Ahh, just what you need when you're scrapping for your life at the wrong end of the table; a visit to the runaway leaders. That's Hartlepool United's weekend plan - and if we fail to win then there's every chance we'll dip into the bottom four come the final whistle.

Southend have surprised many this season, and in a division where inconsistency rules and even now Pools are less than 10 points away from 8th place they have been one of the few sides to stand out. Currently six points clear in top spot, they look certain to be promoted for a second successive season on the back of some impressive goalscoring feats by Freddy Eastwood (18 goals) and good support from the likes of Shaun Goater (11) and Wayne Gray (8). Their home record is impressive: just two defeats in the league, 13 conceded in 18 games and 31 scored. Add to this what's currently the best away record in the division and you have a recipe for success that means it's already getting to the stage of Shrimpers wondering when rather than if they'll achieve promotion.

Things could be even better though, and that's partly what gives Pools that little chink of light. Last weekend saw them lose to MK Franchise, the bottom side having taken four points from them and knocked them out of the FA Cup to boot; and prior to their win at the Vic in December they'd failed to win in seven league games. They're not light years ahead of the rest in this division, just consistently good enough to beat most sides - and with Pools now approaching full strength again we know that we have players capable of causing the home defence problems.

That defence will be missing Spencer Prior, and it may be that former Pools Loanee Gerard Nash may be in the squad after a last-minute loan deal from Ipswich; the Shrimpers meanwhile are at the time of writing still waiting to find out whether Kevin McLeod will be allowed to play after his loan move from Swansea was thrown into doubt due to the FA apparently not recieving the papers in time.

Pools meanwhile will be missing Gavin Strachan still, and also one or two others - Mark Tinkler is apparently out, while Chris Llewellyn is a doubt after missing training on Thursday. Butler played for the reserves in midweek, but playing him from the start may be asking too much so it could be that Matty Robson will get a chance to shine in his favoured wing position.

Make no mistake, Pools have some hard games ahead and this is arguably the hardest. A win at Roots Hall would be a massive boost and a massive achievement. A defeat is more likely, but I think Pools may just be able to snatch a 1-1 draw thanks to Joel Porter.