Hartlepool United v Luton Town 3/10

[Kenneth E End]

Well, the Hatters undertake their second long haul trip in a week, up to Hartlepool in the North East, hot on the heels of their trip to the North West on Tuesday night. In a previous guise, a former Luton manager used to bemoan "lactate" on long trips as a reason for slow starts. No such excuse this time, with overnight stays common place.

Luton come off their third consecutive league win, with 5 wins in their last 6 in all competitions in September. A great turnaround after such a slow August. Hartlepool's form seems to taken the complete opposite course. Five games without a win starting in late August culminating in a long haul win of their own down at struggling Yeovil, checked their progress after winning their opening three games.

Injury wise, no new injury concerns from our point of view. This game still comes too early for Pelly Ruddock and Paul Benson; the latter needing an injection on Monday to clear his niggling neck injury.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

We'll be doing very well if we manage to win back to back away games, especially ones that are the sort of places i never really fancy us to do well in i.e any game in the north! Even though we have won 3 on the spin i still cant bring myself to the point of thinking we'll win this one and id definitely be happy to come away with a point and go into the York game building a solid unbeaten run.

I gather McCourt was brilliant on Tuesday night so hopefully he is is fit enough to play a part again as i wouldn't want to change the side too much.

 

[hellogregory]

Will Bingham decide to put Luton to the sword or not?

 

[oakroader]

Bingham shmingham

 

[Sestonpoolie]

Can't see anything other than defeat,we are utter shyte.
Wonder if the Lutons fans we went on the drink with after last seasons match are back up.
Cracking night,one of them trying to flog a book to anyone he met.

 

[Chippy]

Can't see anything other than defeat,we are utter shyte.
Wonder if the Lutons fans we went on the drink with after last seasons match are back up.
Cracking night,one of them trying to flog a book to anyone he met.

Was his name Alan?

 

[Sestonpoolie]

Was his name Alan?

Can't remember his name.He was a tall ,baldy & a good laugh.

 

[Glasshalffullpools]

Did he have short fat hairy legs ?

 

[Chippy]

Can't remember his name.He was a tall ,baldy & a good laugh.

Sounds like Alan. Seen it all that bloke, never stops talking about his book!!

 

[PoolieTom]

Can't see anything other than defeat,we are utter shyte.
Wonder if the Lutons fans we went on the drink with after last seasons match are back up.
Cracking night,one of them trying to flog a book to anyone he met.

If we play the same team as we did on Tuesday, there is no doubt we will lose. However, I expect atleast 3 changes, and all will be significant ones.

Magnay and Woods are certainties to be back in the team, which will improve our midfield ten-fold. We certainly won't be overran as easily on Tuesday. Added to this, I would expect Bingham to be back in the team. We may see a different formation, so we are unlikely to see a repeat of Tuesday in my eyes.

Providing Carson and Duckworth are still out, this is the team I would go for..

--------------Bartlett
Halliday-Boyce-Jones-Carroll
------Magnay-Featherstone
Oates-----Woods-----Bingham
------------Paynter

Straight swaps for Bartlett and Halliday if Carson/Ducky are fit.

I suspect Ronnie will push Carroll up to left wing, with Jones left back, Bingham up tops and Harrison retaining his place in defence, with Featherstone dropping to the bench in a 4-4-2 formation.

 

[Sestonpoolie]

i'd go
----------Bartlett
Halliday- Harrison-Jones-Carroll
Oates-Magney-Woods-Smith
------Bingham-Fenwick.

If Featherstone starts i think i'd cry.

 

[Sestonpoolie]

Did he have short fat hairy legs ?

Couldn't see for the carrier bags full of books.

 

[cufc17]

I see Magnay has been suspended for 6 games for the spitting incident. I assume he'll be a big loss for Hartlepool?

 

[PoolieTom]

Magnay 6 game ban - I now rate our chances as 0 for Saturday, and for the 5 games following, unless Ronnie signs a new centre mid.

 

[PoolieTom]

I think Ronnie needs to invent a new formation which includes 6 centre mids for us to stand any chance

 

[Pooliekev]

Well we picked up four from nine without Magnay, and arguably should have had five so perhaps we can cope without him but yes, there has to be changes from Tuesday.

Woods will be straight back in as will Bingham for Fenwick. I do believe a draw would be a good result for us and anything else is a bonus.

 

[Judge Dredd]

Us in good form, Hartlepool in awful form... can't see anything other than 3-0 Hartlepool because that's always been the way we do these things.

 

[oakroader]

nah,its gonna be a massacre on the scale of little big horn!!

 

[Boz]

Mangay is available for this game, ban put on hold until written reasons available.

I'ma little surprised that Pools haven't kicked on a bit after last seasons great escape. Is Ronnie losing his touch?

 

[Sestonpoolie]

Has made some baffling tactical/sub decisions.Stiicks with 4-3-3,which isn't working,sticks with 2 holding midfielders with the pace & turning circle of a tank,which isn't working & seems reluctant to,play some of our good younger players.The teams improved on last season,but not much.

 

[Boz]

Reluctance to play good youngsters has always been one of Ronnies' weaknesses, I'm afraid.

 

[Kenneth E End]

Hartlepool United 0-1 Luton Town

Those criticising Jonathan Smith in the last couple of weeks - now joint top scorer with 4 goals.

 

[hellogregory]

How does Billy Paynter do it?

Last season he had an open goal, 3 yards out against Luton, but somehow managed to miss.

 

[Vanni]

How does Billy Paynter do it?

Last season he had an open goal, 3 yards out against Luton, but somehow managed to miss.

When I saw the last post was by you, I sensed a Bingham goal Alas, t'was not to be

 

[Kenneth E End]

We've lost Craig Mackail-Smith in the first half... great.

 

[Kenneth E End]

What a signing Jack Marriott is! 6th goal and only 2 starts this season.

 

[oakroader]

All aboard ....the train

 

[Kenneth E End]

If Marriott doesn't score again today, that'll work out a goal every 50-something minutes this season for him.

 

[EricSabin]

Good on him

 

[Carver]

Hartlepool not doing so good again, I think you should just be happy that your still a league club. Don't forget last season eh!