The 135th edition of Hartlepool United vs Crewe Alexandra

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

On Tuesday, Hartlepool are set to become our most-played opponents of all time as they nip one ahead of the 134 meetings we've had with our old friends Tranmere. With 63 wins for the Alex in this fixture, it's safe to say that we've beaten Hartlepool more times than any other club in the country.

However, could this be the last time we play each other in the Football League after 96 years of regular meetings? Whilst I sincerely hope not, the future is looking bleak for a Hartlepool side who just can't seem to win a game despite a good start to the season under Craig Hignett. Dave Jones has since come in but can't seem to get a run going like Dave Artell has with us since he replaced the fraud in January.

With Chris Dagnall banned for the next three matches, we appear to be relying on George Cooper, the inconsistent Alex Kiwomya and a trio of goal-shy forwards despite Jordan Bowery's outstanding creativity and unselfish play since he was signed. So all signs point to this being a very scrappy game.

If our defence fail to wake up in the first half like they didn't vs Blackpool and Stevenage, I fancy Hartlepool to nick a goal and then defend a second-half Alex siege of their net to record a badly-needed 1-0 victory. If our defence are awake and our forwards test the opposition's keeper enough, then I fancy us to win this 2-0 and take a huge step towards another season in the Football League.

A loss for us will start to drag us back into the mire and with Dagnall banned for Portsmouth and Newport, three defeats without him could put us in a precarious position, so goals and points are needed and fast.

 

[Chief Rocka]

Our home form for a side 3rd bottom is pretty okay, but we need to turn home draws into wins, anything other than a win Tuesday night would be a major disappointment.

Would like to see Rooney actually given a start alongside Amond in a 442, if wer'e not going to play him we may as well send him back to Plymouth, Allesandra and Thomas either wings and the dynamic unbreakable duo of FeatherWoods through the middle.

2-1 Pools

 

[Vanni]

You know supporting Pools is tough when Crewe have beaten your lot 63 times.

 

[TimeyWimey]

If we don't win then we can call the turnaround off and start panicking again.

I think we will though. DA/KL's attacking football vs one of the poorest defences in the league should be enough. Dagnall out is a bummer but I really rate Kiwomya and in an attacking side like this he'll do better.

 

[PoolieTom]

Kiwomya - I'd forgotten that name. He ripped us a new arsehole earlier in the season if I remember correctly. A winger isn't he? No doubt he will have similar fortunes up against either a 17 year old or a poor left back.

I'm glad to hear your having problems in attack though. Bodes well for our weak defence.

Hopefully Thomas will work some magic. If he doesn't, we will probably lose.

 

[Crewelad87]

Draw written all over it imo

Hartlepool 1-1 Crewe (Cooper for us) 2,744 (109 Railwaymen)

 

[Sestonpoolie]

You know supporting Pools is tough when Crewe have beaten your lot 63 times.

Everyone's bloody beaten us 63 times

 

[Sestonpoolie]

[QUOTE=" I fancy Hartlepool to nick a goal and then defend a second-half Alex siege of their net to record a badly-needed 1-0 victory. .[/QUOTE]

The words Hartlepool & defend shouldn't be used in the same sentence

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

Exactly what I said would happen is currently happening.

Fuck another last day win or bust battle again...

 

[TimeyWimey]

Worth remembering, no matter how bad we are, we will never be as bad as Graham McGarry is a commentator.

 

[TimeyWimey]

Lol.

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

2 key players out and no one filling the void. Shows the awful lack of depth in this pisspoor side. Some helmets blaming Artell for this need their heads testing. A shit squad built entirely by that fuckwit Davis, mediocre players retained way past their use by dates cos Davis liked them, shit board and a lack of mental strength throughout the squad. Add the unfortunate injury to Danny Hollands and the 3 game ban to Chris Dagnall with top scorer Lowe snaking off to Bury and the fact we got a slight burst of form to move us clear of the drop was a miracle in itself.

Pompey's a loss on Saturday and I'm not overreacting but if I was a betting man I'd lump on Newport beating us with no Hollands and Dagnall. Preston apart, Westley has a brilliant record against us and will get that side in our faces and make it hard for us whilst we have no cutting edge in attack.

That said when Dagnall returns I genuinely think we'll pick up a few more wins, home wins are the key to us staying up and we need them badly in March or we could be in a precarious situation as opposed to a nervy one we currently find ourselves in.

I will celebrate like winning a league title if we're safe after 45 games. I can't be arsed with the last day being another win or bust situation, I really can't.

 

[Look Out There Are Llamas]

Thanks Crewe.

 

[Chief Rocka]

Poor first half played out by two crap teams, wouldn't say either side edged it, Crewe hit the post with a deflected shot and had a few half chances, Bowery looked the most threatening, whilst that one trick pony Kiyomya was awful, looked like a totally different player to the one that played against us earlier this season.

Second half we just came alive and ran out well deserved winners, Crewe's keeper dropped a clanger to make it 2-0, seemed to miss kick his clearance allowing us to tap it in and it was pretty much over as a match after that.

Great start to a key week for us, Orient getting stuffed was a bonus and £90 back on me Acca as well, been a decent little night

 

[TimeyWimey]

Some helmets blaming Artell for this need their heads testing. A shit squad built entirely by that fuckwit Davis, mediocre players retained way past their use by dates cos Davis liked them, shit board and a lack of mental strength throughout the squad.

I've quite enjoyed some fans chasing their own tails and getting so dizzy as to which manager to back they simply lash out at fans for being 'negative' after a 4-0 defeat.

Not to worry though. Start Dave Richards and we'll be sorted.

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

I've quite enjoyed some fans chasing their own tails and getting so dizzy as to which manager to back they simply lash out at fans for being 'negative' after a 4-0 defeat.

Not to worry though. Start Dave Richards and we'll be sorted.

Dave Richards can't even find consistency for the reserves, stealing a living.

In truth though the point is Artell has been genuinely unlucky with the injuries and suspension we're piling up. That said, a 4-0 loss to a relegation rival is nothing but inexcusable. However, it's not exactly doomsday just yet, survival is in our own hands and once Dagnall and Bowery are back together I'm sure we'll get the wins required.

Typical one of Dagnall and Bowery will miss all the games against the bottom 3 with Dagnall banned for tonight and Newport and Bowery ineligible for the Orient game. Absolutely frustrating but it's also typical that none of the fringe players stepped up to stake a claim to be a starter.

 

[TimeyWimey]

Tongue firmly in cheek re: Richards. The increasing use of Garratt as scape goat for the general shit show is incredible.

We are, at the root of it, just shit. No wonder kids to dig us out of it like 2012. No chance to make major changes in the window. Just got to deal with it for now and sort it out in the summer. I don't think we'll go down.

 

[PaulHaddock]

Why do Crewe only play well against us?!

 

[Carver]

Congratulations Hartlepool on getting a nice convincing comfortable win with a clean sheet, something we can never do!

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

Tongue firmly in cheek re: Richards. The increasing use of Garratt as scape goat for the general shit show is incredible.

We are, at the root of it, just shit. No wonder kids to dig us out of it like 2012. No chance to make major changes in the window. Just got to deal with it for now and sort it out in the summer. I don't think we'll go down.

Unless Newport go on a freak run (which I can totally see happening under Westley and his siege mentality) we should be fine. Orient look down and out and in complete and utter turmoil despite a freak win vs Plymouth. Need to learn how to win games away from home though to make things a lot more comfortable for ourselves.