You want Hartlepool match Preview? You want other #TUFC discussion points? @DomRoman is back with his Weekly Blog!
TT1 – Hartlepool Home Preview
The Ebbsfleet game was a big result no doubt about that…..
but we have to follow it up, starting on Saturday. Hartlepool will not be pushovers. They are only 14th in the table – however closer inspection shows a team unbeaten in 6 matches, with their last loss back on 23rd September. Another close contest (with few goals) could be on the cards!
The team are now playing much like I’d expected at the start of the season…..
Tough in defence, fighting hard and grabbing the odd goal and result. It’s taken a long time coming, but the signs are that Owers is finding his feet at Plainmoor and the team is finally forging an identity that could push us out of the bottom four. Certainly the three at the back is worth persevering with (see TT5); we’ve often struggled with changes of tactics and its refreshing to see a manager change things around to suit his personnel.
Two goals from Jamie Reid in two games since his permanent move…..
and his doubters have rightfully taken a back seat – for the time being anyway. What a hit on Tuesday night! Can he produce another one on Saturday? One of his biggest fans Luke Hunter thinks so – see his match prediction below.
Hartlepool United – TT Quick Summary
League Position: 14th
Full NL Record: Played: 17 Won: 6 Draws: 6 Lost: 5 For: 17 Agst: 17 Goal Diff: 0 Pts: 24
Manager: Craig Harrison
Top Goalscorer: Jonathan Franks (5)
Last Three Results
DRAW Tranmere 1-1 (Home) 24th October – National League
DRAW Sutton United 1-1 (Home) 21st October – National League
WIN South Shields 2-1 (Away) 14th October – FA Cup
Head to Head – Last Three
1st March 2014 – Hartlepool 3-0 Torquay United – League Two
31st August 2013 – Torquay United 0-0 Hartlepool – League Two
17th February 2007 – Torquay United 0-1 Hartlepool – League Two
TT2 – Match Predictions
TT3 – Jamie Reid
Number Three had to be the man of the moment! There are normally one or two players at every club who become scapegoats – receiving more criticism than most when things are going wrong. Reidy has become just that since joining the club. The reasons for this? He can look lethargic at times and has the tendency to waste good chances in front of goal – plus take too long to pass to team-mates.
However, it is easy to focus on the negative – but Jamie also has a number of positive attributes and we are seeing these more now he’s been chucked back upfront (his favoured position). The guy doesn’t shy away from the action, normally puts a shift in for the team and can produce goals (see Luke’s brilliant tweet below!). He deserves our support, and I’m sure Jamie will be confident of finding the net again V Hartlepool. The jury is still out mind you, but I would say that about everyone in the team whilst we struggle towards the bottom of the National League!
TT4 – Ebbsfleet
Games in October should not be sooo important and sooo nerve jangling – but at TUFC it’s standard! I was following the game anxiously on Twitter and found it difficult to concentrate on anything else – it just felt that vital! The final whistle saw me doing a celebratory jig around the living room, sad really but when your team has not won away for over 6 months – it’s the spontaneous reaction!
It was brilliant having John Cadigan do another piece for us. His eloquence paints a perfect picture of the game and the emotions involved. One guy praised by John was Callum Evans, who has quietly become a big factor for us. Not a name that gets mentioned often, however his work off the ball is never-ending. Constantly looking to break up attacks and tidy in possession. His efforts, along with Young in midfield, were rightly praised by John and it’s that unselfish sort of running that will help dig us out of trouble.
TT5 – Tactics
Last week in my preview I said that A) The team needed two upfront and B) Owers is unlikely to switch formations. Well at least I was right on one of those counts! Murphy and Reid is a combination worth sticking with. There surely must be goals coming for Rhys soon – he’s getting closer and closer!
Formation-wise the 3 at the back has allowed Higgins and Davis to bomb forward, and for Ryan especially – that is where much of his strength lies. McQuoid is given some freedom to cause problems, Evans/Young keep the engine room steady and Murphy/Reid are a threat up top. I’d imagine the tactics will be kept for Hartlepool, who will look to counter this. It could be a tactical battle and with Owers* savvy, I hope we finally have the upper hand.
*By the way his comment ‘We are not rubbish any more’ was a corker – see our tweet below, I expect to be hearing this on the Pop very soon!
Come on you Yellows!
Dominic – TT Editor
