Post by autistichatter on Nov 30, 2022 13:37:29 GMT
So who are Hartlepool, well, apart from being long time league foes and the home of the likes of Lennie Johnrose, Joe Allon, Brian (Jackie) Honour and, for a short time, Dean Emerson, they are the side that beat County in the National League playoffs a short while ago and the side previously managed by DC.
Oh, and they are "Classic" territory for them and us, rock bottom of the Football League. Their record speaks for itself: P 19 W 2 D 6 L 11 F 16 A 34. Which speaks for itself. Their H record is a bit better: P 9 W 2 D 4 L 3 F 7 A 11. The two Ws were both in Oct 2-1 v Grimsby and 2-1 v Doncaster. The 4 Ds were in September 0-0 v Gillingham, 1-1 v Crewe, and back in August 0-0 v Tranmere and 0-0 v Wimbledon. The 3 Ls were 1-3 v Bradford back in August and then 1-3 v Carlisle and 0-2 v Salford both in Oct.
Cup form has been a bit better, including the 3-1 W at H v Harrogate Town recently. In that match Josh Umerah bagged a brace to add to his 7 in the league, putting him in level 8th place in the League alongside our St Paddy of Madden. Umerah's 10 goals in the League and cups ranks him top scorer for the team, the next highest being Wesley McDonald with 3, then Alex Lacey with 2. There are also 6 other scorers of one goal each. So clearly scoring is a problem.
Since DC made the switch to EP the Manager's Door has been a revolving one, with 5 different individuals in the role, with Anthony Sweeney having 3 separate spells as caretaker manager, a role he also fulfilled before D took charge. The current incumbent, since 21st September 2022 is Keith Curle, yes, he of Man City. His record is P 12 W 2 D 4 L 6
All in all, a bit grim, and it's sad to see an old foe struggling but hey this is the League and so County will be going for the win and, on balance, that result looks most likely. Then again I remember a couple of "hard fought" games up there when County came up short including one where, from memory, Brian Honour scored a couple of goals from practically halfway over County's small, but perfectly formed, GK Neil Edwards.
They seem a bit bitter....I guess understandably as they occupy bottom place. Cant say I will miss them when they get relegated.
Still appears to be a lot who haven't forgiven DC from leaving to pursue the project with County and probably take a big pay rise. no doubt most of us in a similar position would take the extra money...
Post by autistichatter on Dec 3, 2022 19:35:38 GMT
Interesting that MSH and Rydel were providers for two of the goals - how we've missed those two. For all of Madden's scoring and Will Collar's transformation from fringe player to midfield dynamo, I think MSH and RR in many ways set the tone for County.
That's not to take anything away from the likes of Hinchcliffe, Croasdale, Akil Wright, Horsfall et al, and I suspect that at some point Wootton is going to show he's got goals in him like today, but more often.
Oh, and I confess, I thought this game had Banana Skin written all over it. Bring on Charlton, I bet they're nervous right now.
Interesting that MSH and Rydel were providers for two of the goals - how we've missed those two. For all of Madden's scoring and Will Collar's transformation from fringe player to midfield dynamo, I think MSH and RR in many ways set the tone for County.
That's not to take anything away from the likes of Hinchcliffe, Croasdale, Akil Wright, Horsfall et al, and I suspect that at some point Wootton is going to show he's got goals in him like today, but more often.
Oh, and I confess, I thought this game had Banana Skin written all over it. Bring on Charlton, I bet they're nervous right now.
Agreed, mate.
I've made no secret of my opinion that MSH is the most dangerous and exciting player we have right now, and that hasn't changed. His pace is blistering and I don't think any defender in this division can contain him when he's at full tilt.
He was massively missed when out, and we've been so much better since his return, so fingers crossed he can now stay injury free!
Superb result doing wonders for our goal difference. I wonder if Keith Curle can turn things round for them as a return to the National League beckons.