Fri & Sat 18th/19th March

[Conker]

Definitely not good for Mansfield, Stevenage at home (ignoring the new large manager) was a good fixture for us after two defeats on trot.

 

[Optimistic Poolie]

1-0 down, sounded like we started brightly so typically we go and concede.

 

[loz]

1-0 down, sounded like we started brightly so typically we go and concede.

Bet your manager is saying you are controlling the game

 

[Chief Rocka]

1-0 down, sounded like we started brightly so typically we go and concede.

It's the most Pools thing ever, start well, test their keeper, concede the oppo's first shot.

 

[Optimistic Poolie]

1-1 that’s better!

 

[hellogregory]

The difference in quality when watching Hartlepool compared to us is frightening. Two real quality goals tonight.

 

[Optimistic Poolie]

2-1 half time. We are such a weird team.

 

[hellogregory]

You look a really good team based on that half.

Or Newport aren’t actually that good and we just made them look like world beaters on Tuesday.

 

[Soup Ladle]

You look a really good team based on that half.

Or Newport aren’t actually that good and we just made them look like world beaters on Tuesday.

We have a few really good players for this level in Molyneux, Ferguson and Sterry. The rest are steady away.

Two cracking goals and a good response to the last couple of games where we've been going through the motions

 

[hellogregory]

The first one in particular was real quality. Lovely touch and finish.

 

[leedsvaliant]

This would be a good result.

 

[BRFC_Gas]

Get in

 

[Chief Rocka]

Big win for us after two hopeless performances!

 

[valefan16]

Good win for the promotion challenging sides. 6 off Newport, 3 games in hand.

 

[Optimistic Poolie]

Very happy with that after the last two games!

Results like that makes dropped points in home games this season against the likes of Oldham, Scunny and Orient so much more frustrating.

 

[Optimistic Poolie]

I still haven’t forgiven Newport for sending us down when we thought we escaped on the final day before. Very bitter I know, but I don’t care.

 

[Soup Ladle]

Solid display there, pleased he went 5 at the back for this, sensible move. Soaked up the pressure well and scored good goals.

Should think the chasing pack will be delighted with this.

 

[Chief Rocka]

Very happy with that after the last two games!

Results like that makes dropped points in home games this season against the likes of Oldham, Scunny and Orient so much more frustrating.

That might've been the best performance of the season so far, I was wondering about the team selection but it worked to a tee, Sterry and Ferguson had acres of space to do whatever they wanted tonight.

 

[Soup Ladle]

I still haven’t forgiven Newport for sending us down when we thought we escaped on the final day before. Very bitter I know, but I don’t care.

Not the only one, I fucking hate them.

 

[Soup Ladle]

That might've been the best performance of the season so far, I was wondering about the team selection but it worked to a tee, Sterry and Ferguson had acres of space to do whatever they wanted tonight.

Probably wouldn't go as far as that but bearing in mind how unfancied we were it is a great result. 51 points and another season not in the pub league.

 

[James Frost]

County looked knackered tonight, very lethargic after a brilliant away performance at Carlisle. 3 games in 7 days with the injuries to the sqaud, they weren't able to press Hartlepool in the way that they had done so against Bristol Rovers and Carlisle.

Our keeper Townsend didnt make the squad after pulling a hamstring and Clarke went off second half also injured. Cooper came back in to the team tonight but went off at half time, clearly not match fit. Better in the second half with Waite coming on but an error from Dolan for the second game running leading to Hartlepool third goal was game over.

Thankfully there is over a week until the next game against Bradford. We cant afford any more injuries.

 

[Soup Ladle]

I'd have snapped your hand off for 51 points after 46 let alone 37. Been a good campaign with all the cup runs, decent return in the league, handled the step up well despite hardly any pre season, losing a manager who we've almost forgotten about now. Top 6 in the league for attendances. Not bad at all.

Plenty to build on for the rest of the season. Get a top half finish, get Molyneux and Odusina signed up, show the town we mean business in the summer not repeating the mistakes of the last one, do that and we have the ability to challenge.

 

[Optimistic Poolie]

I'd have snapped your hand off for 51 points after 46 let alone 37. Been a good campaign with all the cup runs, decent return in the league, handled the step up well despite hardly any pre season, losing a manager who we've almost forgotten about now. Top 6 in the league for attendances. Not bad at all.

Plenty to build on for the rest of the season. Get a top half finish, get Molyneux and Odusina signed up, show the town we mean business in the summer not repeating the mistakes of the last one, do that and we have the ability to challenge.

Completely agree, would’ve snatched your hand off for this before a ball was kicked this season, never mind with the manager leaving and the horrific run in the middle of the season.

But the main thing for me now is to see progression next season. Don’t want Raj seeing this as “job done”, we need to kick on now.

 

[Chief Rocka]

I'd have snapped your hand off for 51 points after 46 let alone 37. Been a good campaign with all the cup runs, decent return in the league, handled the step up well despite hardly any pre season, losing a manager who we've almost forgotten about now. Top 6 in the league for attendances. Not bad at all.

Plenty to build on for the rest of the season. Get a top half finish, get Molyneux and Odusina signed up, show the town we mean business in the summer not repeating the mistakes of the last one, do that and we have the ability to challenge.

They've gotta be working on this already surely, them two are key for next season, Timi has been unbelievable since Lee took over, dunno the particulars but Ferguson's must be up this year and at least Sterry has another year.

 

[Soup Ladle]

Completely agree, would’ve snatched your hand off for this before a ball was kicked this season, never mind with the manager leaving and the horrific run in the middle of the season.

But the main thing for me now is to see progression next season. Don’t want Raj seeing this as “job done”, we need to kick on now.

Yeah I'm not his biggest fan, I just don't trust him. No excuses though, should be plenty funds to get 2 or 3 quality players in and a few others for the squad, that's all we need really. Get behind the scenes sorted, basics like shirts to sell when they should be sold, promote the club more etc then we can have a crack at it.

Lee deserves huge credit for steadying the ship post Challinor. While I think he's still got a lot to learn you can't argue with his record and he's been getting most of the big calls right.

 

[Roger Stone]

Hartlepool the better side for sure and deserved the points. Thought Molyneux? looked v good.
JR got our selection all wrong in midfield and we were over run as a result.
Decent break and we go again v Bradford. Hopefully we’ll have a few back from injuries.
Overall a decent week with 6 points from 3 games.

 

[MadJohn]

Pools surprised me tonight, but they've suprised me so often that I shouldn't be surprised. This is not a strong division and, with the possible exception of Forest Green, nobody's any good, not really. Our season is over, but it's good to see that we're still putting the yards in. We should bust a few betting slips before the season ends.

 

[Sestonpoolie]

I’m glad we went 5-3-2 last night,it suits Sterry & Ferguson so much better,while 4-4-3 stifles them.
Fantastic & unexpected win,but no surprise those two were influential last night after reverting to that system & I hope Lee sticks with it.
What a great season we’ve had.
I was hoping for lower mid table finish,but to be safe with 9 games to go,the game at Palace,semis in the Pizza Cup,crowds well up & a great atmospher,especially after we lost a good manager,is excellent.

 

[leedsvaliant]

I'm surprised at Hartlepool because our victory against them at home was so comfortable. Clearly they've been a bit up and down form wise, which is as to be expected having recently come up.

 

[Chief Rocka]

I’m glad we went 5-3-2 last night,it suits Sterry & Ferguson so much better,while 4-4-3 stifles them.
Fantastic & unexpected win,but no surprise those two were influential last night after reverting to that system & I hope Lee sticks with it.
What a great season we’ve had.
I was hoping for lower mid table finish,but to be safe with 9 games to go,the game at Palace,semis in the Pizza Cup,crowds well up & a great atmospher,especially after we lost a good manager,is excellent.

I'd of been happy with 3rd bottom, we've also got to consider how late we actually got promoted, 20th June we beat Torquay at Ashton Gate, teams in this league were starting their pre season training when ours were still on the piss celebrating!

We had a garbage pre season, we struggled to bring in players and had trialists coming out of our ears, I think only Byrne has been a regular starter of those signed before the first game? It's been an excellent season.