Pre-Match Thread Hartlepool United v Southend United, Saturday 17th August, 15:00 k.o., NL

[Shrimpergonzo]

After the initial euphoria and ultimate disappointment of an opening day draw with York City, the Shrimpers will take their unbeaten start on the second longest away trip of the season to Hartlepool (the longest is to Gateshead on the last day of the regular season).

The Monkey Hangers had their longest trip of the season last Saturday and managed a creditable 1-0 win at newly promoted Yeovil. It was a return to one of his former clubs for Hartlepool's new manager Darren Sarll, who was appointed at the end of last season, for his first win at his new club.

It was an interesting close season for their new gaffer as he had 3 days in the job to decide on his retained list, and the former Woking boss opted to release 9 and transfer list 2 of last season's squad. He's had quite a busy summer too with 7 new signings: goalkeeper Adam Smith (Morecambe), Centre-back Bill Sass-Davies (Crewe), winger Adam Campbell (Crawley), midfielders Greg Sloggett (Cheltenham), Jack Hunter (Halifax), Nathan Sheron (Oldham), and forward Luke Charman (AFC Fylde). Campbell, Hunter, Sheron and Charman started against Yeovil, Smith and Sass-Davies were on the bench and Sloggett (who sounds more like a cricketer!) was injured. Like ourselves, they are still apparently a few players light - particularly up front.

Despite a few rumours of signings, at the time of writing we have no further signings to bolster the ranks. Kev is likely to make the journey to the north-east with the same squad as he had last Saturday and therefore needs to decide whether to go with the same starting XI (including Jack Bridge in the attacking midfield role) or to tweak the team like he did during the second half.

If you are making the long journey then please take time to study @DoDTS 's excellent thread which tells you all you need to know logistically about the trip.

Thread 'HARTLEPOOL UNITED - Saturday 17th August 2024'

Jul 10, 2024

HARTLEPOOL UNITED - Saturday 17th August 2024 3.00p.m.

Suit Direct Stadium (previously Victoria Park)
Capacity: 7,865 (Seats 4,180)
Address: Clarence Road Hartlepool, TS24 8BZ
Club Nickname: The Pool
Year Ground Opened: 1908
Home Kit: Blue and White

Record Attendance
17,426 v Manchester United
FA Cup 3rd Round, January 5th, 1957.

Average Attendance​

2023-2024: 4,146 (National League
2022-2023: 4,777 (League Two)
2021-2022: 4,884 (League Two)

Details shown are from the Footballgroundguide site:

​

What is it like for...​

• DoDTS
• Replies: 2
• Forum: Southend United Away Travel

• 

In the meantime, who would you choose to start on Saturday and what do you think the result will be?

 

[damien]

Collin
Taylor Kensdale Ralph
Gus miley Morton bridge
Coker
Walker cardwell

Get bridge back starting wide and another set of minutes in the tank for our starting eleven

 

[Barling Magna]

Going to be a tough match for us. We'll do well to gain a point.

 

[Tommy2holes]

Going to be a tough match for us. We'll do well to gain a point.

Tough match but be nice to have a real go and get all 3

 

[Supa Shrimpa]

Collin
Taylor Kensdale Ralph
Gus miley Morton bridge
Coker
Walker cardwell

Get bridge back starting wide and another set of minutes in the tank for our starting eleven

I'm happy with that, but I think i'd start a bit more cautiously away from home. Same personnel, but 4-4-2 with Gus and Ralph as FB's and Coker Right mid.

 

[Chris Powell's mate]

This may have been explained elsewhere, but why does the squad appear a beat behind on fitness?
I'm basing that on Zone comments made during and after York, but others might argue our lack lustre showing had nothing to do with condition.
One would think those remaining from last season would have kept up fitness despite the late takeover, no?
At least Wes won't be blasting over from 10 yards when easier to hit the target!

 

[Smiffy]

This may have been explained elsewhere, but why does the squad appear a beat behind on fitness?
I'm basing that on Zone comments made during and after York, but others might argue our lack lustre showing had nothing to do with condition.
One would think those remaining from last season would have kept up fitness despite the late takeover, no?
At least Wes won't be blasting over from 10 yards when easier to hit the target!

I'd suggest it was more because we spent almost the entireity of the second half chasing Yorks shadows. With nobody able to get a foot on the ball and give us a breather.

No idea what the possession stats were second half, but it felt monumentally in favour of York.

Very unlike us, unsustainable and looked a shock to their systems.

 

[Supa Shrimpa]

I'd suggest it was more because we spent almost the entireity of the second half chasing Yorks shadows. With nobody able to get a foot on the ball and give us a breather.

No idea what the possesion stats were second half, but it felt monumentally in favour of York.

Very unlike us, unsustainable and looked a shock to their systems.

...and when we did get the ball we just knocked it up to the front two. If you gonna play 3-5-2, you can't keep bypassing the lads in midfield.

 

[annie1954]

They will have to up their game from last week for most of the game York were the better side I don’t think the keeper had a save to make in the second half , and if it wasn’t for a outstanding save from Colin in the second half they would have gone home with 3 points . As Maher has said we need to bring in 3 / 4 players,

 

[AlfaShrimper]

Not Jack woods biggest fan but would rather him start in midfield than Morton and Miley together. Got that spark that could cause issues

 

[RHB]

Our first away jaunt and it just has to be a 500 mile round trip! I'd like to think that last Saturday's result will have shaken the players and the Amigos to their boots, as we didn't do any of the things we were good at last season, especially the high tempo press. Assuming pride has been stung, I'm looking for a dogged performance and at least a point from our chaps in red this time round. I also hope we will see a return of Nathan Ralph as the left side of the back three, and Mr Bridge doing his mazy round and round stuff out on the left hand side. Unlike many, I would also start Danny Waldron next to Harry, and Gubbins and Josh Walker can have a rest on the bench.

 

[Supa Shrimpa]

Our first away jaunt and it just has to be a 500 mile round trip! I'd like to think that last Saturday's result will have shaken the players and the Amigos to their boots, as we didn't do any of the things we were good at last season, especially the high tempo press. Assuming pride has been stung, I'm looking for a dogged performance and at least a point from our chaps in red this time round. I also hope we will see a return of Nathan Ralph as the left side of the back three, and Mr Bridge doing his mazy round and round stuff out on the left hand side. Unlike many, I would also start Danny Waldron next to Harry, and Gubbins and Josh Walker can have a rest on the bench.

Without doubt, move Bridgey back out to the left wing. It was worth a try in the middle, but he's such a dangerous player out on that left flank.

 

[ColinMorrisWalksOnWater]

I'd like to see Jack back on the left as well. Might be a majority view on here. For me the fact he usually draws the attention of 2 or 3 players to that side, I'd like to see walker keep his place alongside Harry, so that he might benefit from an increase of service into the box either directly to him or via Cards for him to feed off, not to mention Cards own abilities to finish himself. It would certainly occupy the 'Pools defence a bit more than we did the York defence over the 90 minutes.

Interestingly, done a bit of scouting of Pools fans online and they seem to think Sarll has changed Pools playing style to the high press similar to us, so could be two sides cancelling each other out and mistakes could be costly in this weekend's game.

 

[Kris]

This may have been explained elsewhere, but why does the squad appear a beat behind on fitness?
I'm basing that on Zone comments made during and after York, but others might argue our lack lustre showing had nothing to do with condition.
One would think those remaining from last season would have kept up fitness despite the late takeover, no?
At least Wes won't be blasting over from 10 yards when easier to hit the target!

Regarding general fitness, I think we're fine but you need to be match fit as well. Be focused and sharp on the ball and be aware of where your team-mates are and also the opposition. We didn't play enough friendlies to grasp that and our decision-making against York was uncharacteristically poor.

I know you don't like Wes but the fact is we are missing him as it stands. Our midfield is flat and too predictable, hence why Bridge has playing centrally. I'm not suggesting we can't/won't find an upgrade on Wes but his movement and ability to find space between midfield and attack, not to mention his link up play with Bridge, was a real asset, and so far (including friendlies) we have struggled without him.

 

[NYPOOLIE]

Hi folks, Pools fan, really looking forward to our first home game of the season. I look forward to every game actually, a few pints before the match, a few after, it’s normally the game itself which puts a dampener on my match day experience, ho hum.

Sarll does seem to like the high press approach to football and appears to have improved the fitness of the team with that style of play in mind but like you we need a few additions to the squad as we already have injuries.

Sarll has also put a bit of a backbone into the team, previously, teams have out muscled us on a consistent basis, hopefully our powder puff midfields of the past few seasons are just that, in the past.

Honestly not sure how our season will go, would love to do a Chesterfield, Stockport, Wrexham (yawn) & run away with the league but we all know that you need big bucks to manage that & we, along with most teams in the NL don’t have big bucks unfortunately.

Not sure what the result will be on Saturday, probably a draw but the Vic will be bouncing on Saturday & if it’s a close game the crowd just might be enough to get us the three points. To everyone travelling up for the match, have a safe trip and good luck for the season, Saturday excluded of course.

 

[Rattus Norvegicus]

B.B.C. weather says 19°C on Saturday & no wind coming in off the North Sea.

Not sure what that has to do with anything but I thought I would "share". [shoulder shrug]

The game last season was a ponderous affair. As it is only the 2nd game of the season I will be looking more for a good performance & signs of improvement.

 

[Supa Shrimpa]

Hi folks, Pools fan, really looking forward to our first home game of the season. I look forward to every game actually, a few pints before the match, a few after, it’s normally the game itself which puts a dampener on my match day experience, ho hum.

Sarll does seem to like the high press approach to football and appears to have improved the fitness of the team with that style of play in mind but like you we need a few additions to the squad as we already have injuries.

Sarll has also put a bit of a backbone into the team, previously, teams have out muscled us on a consistent basis, hopefully our powder puff midfields of the past few seasons are just that, in the past.

Honestly not sure how our season will go, would love to do a Chesterfield, Stockport, Wrexham (yawn) & run away with the league but we all know that you need big bucks to manage that & we, along with most teams in the NL don’t have big bucks unfortunately.

Not sure what the result will be on Saturday, probably a draw but the Vic will be bouncing on Saturday & if it’s a close game the crowd just might be enough to get us the three points. To everyone travelling up for the match, have a safe trip and good luck for the season, Saturday excluded of course.

Oi....if you gonna come on here, any talk of SUFC's tactics must be kept strictly between you and us You'll shortly be receiving an email with a Non Disclosure Agreement which you need to sign and email back at your earliest convenience Joking aside, hope it's a great game !!

 

[NYPOOLIE]

Actually Supa, I was responding to “ColinMorriswalksonwater” post regarding tactics & style of play. He mentioned that both of our respective teams play a similar high press game, personally I have as much tactical awareness as certain England managers! Besides that, I can’t even spell NDA!!

 

[RHB]

Hi folks, Pools fan, really looking forward to our first home game of the season. I look forward to every game actually, a few pints before the match, a few after, it’s normally the game itself which puts a dampener on my match day experience, ho hum.

Sarll does seem to like the high press approach to football and appears to have improved the fitness of the team with that style of play in mind but like you we need a few additions to the squad as we already have injuries.

Sarll has also put a bit of a backbone into the team, previously, teams have out muscled us on a consistent basis, hopefully our powder puff midfields of the past few seasons are just that, in the past.

Honestly not sure how our season will go, would love to do a Chesterfield, Stockport, Wrexham (yawn) & run away with the league but we all know that you need big bucks to manage that & we, along with most teams in the NL don’t have big bucks unfortunately.

Not sure what the result will be on Saturday, probably a draw but the Vic will be bouncing on Saturday & if it’s a close game the crowd just might be enough to get us the three points. To everyone travelling up for the match, have a safe trip and good luck for the season, Saturday excluded of course.

Cheers @NYPOOLIE. All teams past the Watford Gap are considered to be Northern to us, and so, in time honoured fashion, I'd like to say we're going to give you Northern monkeys a damn good shoeing on Saturday.

 

[RHB]

Actually Supa, I was responding to “ColinMorriswalksonwater” post regarding tactics & style of play. He mentioned that both of our respective teams play a similar high press game, personally I have as much tactical awareness as certain England managers! Besides that, I can’t even spell NDA!!

How are you with 'Due Diligence', it's one of our favourite phrases.