The news that Dougie is still out somehow comes as no surprise. As Tilly says: "Injuries to key players are always disappointing and that's what we've had this year."
He does remain confident of closing that nine point gap and is sure his side still has what it takes to succeed: "I believe in my players and think we can put together the kind of run we need to get back into contention. It's never easy at Hartlepool but we have enough about us to be able to get a result there."
As for the sacking of Danny Wilson: "They are mid-table and it's not like they are a Leeds or a Leicester at this level so I find it strange. I'm not sure what's happened but it will make their players more fired up and we have to be able to cope with that."
Presuming that Barnard doesn't slip over on the way to the airport he should play a full part with the only change being Lee replacing Laurent or Revell from the starting line-up last weekend. Tilly will probably put Laurent on the subs bench though Revell would be my choice.
The prize for three points is a return to the top ten, temporary though it may be, and I back Blues to do it, 2-1.
OPPOSITION
It's all been happening at the Victoria Ground with Hartlepool United caretaker manager Chris Turner refusing to rule out taking the job on a full-time basis. Turner has returned to the managerial hot-seat from his role as director of sport following the club's decision to part company with Danny Wilson at the beginning of the week. The 50-year-old managed Pools for three years before leaving to join Sheffield Wednesday in 2002.
Turner said to the official site: "I spoke to Danny (Wilson) on Monday afternoon, after the chairman, and Danny was very enthusiastic for me to step into the role. However long they want me to keep this position I'll do it. We have a big game on Friday and then Stoke in the FA Cup and it's important we don't let things slide and keep everybody together. Hopefully we can get some football matches won and see what happens in the future."
Hartlepool's last league win was the same day as ours, October 28, 1-0 at Carlisle.
| 11 | Walsall | 20 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 18 | 18 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 13 | 14 | 8 | 3 | 9 | 31 | 32 | 27 | -1 | ||||
| 12 | Southend United | 20 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 13 | 10 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 15 | 22 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 28 | 32 | 27 | -4 | ||||
| 13 | Hartlepool United | 20 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 22 | 17 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 8 | 14 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 30 | 31 | 26 | -1 | ||||
| 14 | Bristol Rovers | 20 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 22 | 14 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 16 | 19 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 38 | 33 | 25 | +5 |
Star striker James Brown has undergone knee surgery as speculation begins over who will succeed Danny Wilson as the next Hartlepool manager.
Brown has had reconstructive surgery on the cruciate ligament damage he suffered in last month's drawn game with Bristol Rovers. Pools are waiting for the knee to settle down before Brown begins his rehabilitation programme. But while the talented forward faces a long road to recovery, Pools may act quickly to appoint a permanent successor to Wilson.
Director of sport Chris Turner is favourite for the role after being put in temporary charge of team affairs following Wilson's surprise sacking on Monday.
However, two potential candidates for the Pools hotseat have already emerged, with Neil McDonald and Graeme Jones both believed to have expressed an interest. Former Carlisle manager McDonald is currently head coach at Leeds, with Jones assistant to Roberto Martinez at Swansea.
Peter Beardsley is always linked with the manager's post at Victoria Park whenever it becomes available, but is a long shot. Whoever takes over, Pools chairman Ken Hodcroft is never afraid to make bold appointments, having given Mike Newell, Neale Cooper and Martin Scott their breaks in management.
Danish goalkeeper Jan Budtz has his fair share of critics among the club's fans but with first choice Arran Lee-Barrett banned for three matches, Budtz made his first start for 10 months against Yeovil and kept a clean sheet in the goalless draw. He let in one away to Hereford in his second game.
With Hartlepool decimated by injuries and suspension Danny Wilson, in what was to prove his last game as manager, was forced to chuck the 19-year-old Jonny Rowell in at the deep end and he made a massive contribution to the 1-1 draw at Edgar Street. Rowell started on the right of midfield before switching roles with Gary Liddle on the half hour, which allowed him to play in his preferred central position.
Pools fell behind when Steve Guinan scored after scuffing his first attempt but equalised when Hereford defender Dean Beckwith headed Matty Robson's cross into his own net.
Hartlepool United: Budtz, Sweeney (McCunnie 73), Collins, Nelson, Humphreys, Rowell, Clark (Monkhouse 85), Liddle, Robson, Mackay (Foley 63), Kyle. Unused subs: Power, Cook.
PREVIOUSLYPlayed 40: Won 20 Drawn 9 Lost 11.
We've scored four goals twice against them, once at the home of football; Sep. 26 80, a 4-0 win, Gray, Pountney, Mercer and Otulakowski the scorers. While on Dec. 19 98, 4-2 away, Houghton, Newman, Fitzpatrick and Conlon on this occasion. Of course we let in 4 the last time we played at their place, Jan. 22 08, somehow losing 3-4! A Hammell penalty, Gower and Black for the Blues. Some may remember a 1-5 defeat six years ago, but I don't.
A double in 2005/06, the famous 2-1 Darryl penalty save win away on Dec. 28 05, Freddie and a Wayne Gray penalty. Read about it here:
www.thelittlegazette.com/news/loadsngl.asp?cid=EDY3&id=422754
Eastwood grabbed a brace along with a Gower goal in the 3-0 follow-up at the Hall on March 25 06.
The last fixture against them was the Feb. 9 2-1 home win this year, the dynamic duo of Macca and Bailey grabbing the goals. How we miss that headline.
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REF
The man in the middle is Jonathon Moss from West Yorkshire.
In 18 games this season he has handed out 34 yellows and 4 reds.
He was the ref who readers may have seen anger Palace manager Neil Warnock when he gave a dodgy penalty for Cardiff last month in the Championship.
An edited report from the game: There was a lot of talk last week about respecting referees and after the Bluebirds victory over Crystal Palace the man in black was back in the spotlight. The major talking point at Ninian Park came just after the half-hour when Jose Fonte was adjudged to have tripped Michael Chopra in the box. It was the first of two spot-kicks for the Bluebirds given by referee Jon Moss. And it looked a debatable decision with Jones even conceding it was 'harsh' while sporting a wry smile.
Indeed Jones' histrionics following the Rangers reverse had been replaced by a more philosophical outlook as he mused: "I would feel hard done by if the first penalty was awarded against my team, he has caught him, but has he knocked him out of his stride? But it evens itself out over the season."
Unsurprisingly Warnock was less prone to diplomacy quoting a referee-baiting text from former Manchester United assistant manager Carlos Queiroz before venting his own frustrations: "I did not think there was any contact in the first one. He made Andy Johnson look like an innocent little virgin. He realised he had not got anywhere. He saw Paddy McCarthy coming across and he stumbled down and looked up hoping for the best and sometimes you get your reward. I suppose you have to use everything in your armoury to get a penalty. But I would get heavily fined if I have a go at the referee and must bite my tongue."
Warnock said he would be appealing Matt Lawrence's red-card issued in added-on time when the full-back seemed to trip Eddie Johnson to earn a spot-kick which Chopra squandered. But, referring to the fact City skipper Darren Purse saw his red card at Loftus Road rescinded last week, Warnock, with his tongue firmly in his cheek, commented: "We will try to appeal. Perhaps I will go to the FAW and try Purse's contact."
Bless him but Clarkey and Captain Adam better keep their hands to themselves!
FIXTURES
Saturday, December 20 2008; (all 15.00 kick-off): Cheltenham v Walsall, Colchester v Scunthorpe, Huddersfield v Hereford, Leicester v Peterborough, Millwall v Crewe, MK Dons v Leeds United, Northampton v Carlisle, Oldham v Leyton Orient, Stockport v Bristol Rovers, Swindon v Yeovil, Tranmere v Brighton.
BET
Hartlepool (5/4) Draw (12/5) Southend (9/4)
You can now get 20/1 on Southend to gain promotion with Corals, remember when it was 6! 14/1 Bar.
For all the footy odds go here: www.oddschecker.com/football/english/league-one.
WEATHER
Light rain but 8c's.
Don't believe it, the wind whipping the North Sea goes right through you, so wrap up well!
GROUND
The ground was greatly improved in the mid 1990's, with the construction of two new stands at one end and one side of the ground. The Cyril Knowles Stand is the newer of the two side stands. It is a small single tier covered all seated stand, raised above the ground level. The other side, the Camerons Brewery Stand, has covered seating to the rear and open terrace to the front. This stand does not run the full length of the pitch and has an odd mix of orange and green seating, that clashes with the club colours. Both ends are small covered affairs. The newer end is the small Expamet Town End, a covered terrace, for home fans. The other end, the Rink End stand, is a small covered all seated stand which houses away supporters.
TRANSPORT
For information on getting to the game by all forms of transport including times, prices and maps, go to Last Call to Hartlepool: www.thelittlegazette.com/news/loadsngl.asp?cid=EDW4&id=422406
PUB & PIES
For the best pubs to visit and grab something to eat go to Last Orders in Hartlepool: www.thelittlegazette.com/news/loadsngl.asp?cid=EDW8&id=422407
HISTORY
The amateur team West Hartlepool F.C. were formed in 1881, being the town's only club until the formation of United. In 1905,
If you wonder why Hartlepool are referred to as the 'Monkey Hangers' then it is because the residents of Hartlepool are famously said to have hanged a monkey that was washed up from a ship that had sunk during the Napoleonic wars, because they thought the monkey was a French spy. The Club take this to good heart and of course who else would they have as their club mascot? H'Angus the monkey of course!
Not much after that as they went up a few times, went down a few times, stayed down a lot.
The most famous person to be associated with Hartlepool United is Brian Clough, who went on to achieve managerial glory with Derby County and to an even greater degree Nottingham Forest. He began his managerial career at Hartlepool in October 1965 before moving on to Derby two seasons later.
Another famous ex-manager is Cyril Knowles, who took over as manager in December 1989 and the following season helped them win promotion to the Third Division.
Danny Wilson was appointed manager on June 13, 2006, after relegating MK Dons who sacked him! (Must be getting used to it now.) Hartlepool had bounced back to League One in 2006/07 after the previous season's relegation, finishing second behind champions
On Jan. 1 2007 Hartlepool United equalled the all-time Football League record of consecutive wins without conceding a goal by beating
The club went on to complete a 23 match unbeaten run which finally ended against the team they last lost to - Barnet.
The Monkey Hangers bounced back to League One at the first time of asking, finishing second behind champions Walsall. This was the club's second promotion in four years and they maintained their League One status for a second successive season by finishing 15th in 2007-08.
Director of Sport Chris Turner has been placed in temporary charge of the first team. His first solo managerial position came at Hartlepool in 1999. Turner took over when Hartlepool were bottom of the Football League, saved them from relegation and turned them into promotion contenders. They gained promotion at the end of the 2002-03 season but Turner had moved back to his old club Sheffield Wednesday six months before the success was achieved under his successor Mike Newell.
Hartlepool are unbeaten in four league matches but their 1-1 draw against strugglers Hereford United on Saturday left them just seven points clear of the relegation zone.