Hartlepool v Rovers

HARTLEPOOL UNITED

 - V - 

DONCASTER ROVERS

Again, relegation puts Rovers up against familiar opponents in the form of Hartlepool.  In fact there are only three teams we have played more often the Hartlepool.  Of those three, Darlington and Lincoln will not be opponents again for some time so only Rochdale can realistically increase their tally of games against the Rovers in the forseeable future, if they get promoted.

The records between the two clubs show Hartlepool do well at Victoria Park, while Donny do even better in South Yorkshire.So in total, Rovers are narrowly ahead. with 35 wins to 30 with 27 draws.  Plenty of history and plenty of respect between two proper football clubs.

HARTLEPOOL UNITED

Tuesday evening saw Hartlepool's involvement in the JPT come to an end with a penalty shoot-out defeat to Bradford.  The result added to what has so far been a tough season for the Monkey Hangers and Neale Cooper is starting to sound a bit forlorn.

We’re in a very hard place at the moment and we have to fight our way out of it, - Neale Cooper

Maybde I'm being a pessimist in my interpretation of that interview, but I see Cooper starting to clutch at straws.  He's dropped a numer of senior players in a bid to change things and now he's looking to his leaders to pull the team up by its bootstraps.  I'm sure Neale will keep going as long as he is allowed, but as I continued reading that article, I got the feeling I was reading comments of a manager hoping things will change rather than those of a manager who knows how to change them.

So what is going wrong at Victoria Park?

Against Crewe, the first thing that I wondered was whether the Hartepool's right back's absence was authorized or not.  I figured not, because had it been, surely he would have been replaced. Times number I saw Crewe's attackers pick up the ball in loads of space where a right back should have been on duty.  Surely a goal was going to come from that flank?

It didn't, it came from another rather telling failing.  Closing-down at the edge of the area just wasn't happening and sure enough, as a result they succumbed to a long range effort.  The second goal Hartlepool conceded came from a set-piece but that's not the issue for me,  The whole team looked tackle-shy, even when they bundled in the opener, I got no feeling of full commitment from Hartlepool.

In their previous match against the Blades, Hartlepool were much better, in the end being unlucky not to get a point.  Going forwards, I liked the look of Andy Monkhouse and Tony Sweeney.  The pair of them worked very hard to make chances for each other, although once in front of the goal, they did look inept.  It took a striker, Steve Howard to show them how it was done, when he power-headed home for the 'Pools equalizer. 

In the first half, the man Rovers' fans love to hate, Dave Kitson had given the Blades the lead with a similarly emphatic header but Hartlepool were certainly reasonble and would have won a point had Kevin Gallagher not broken their hearts a couple of minutes from time.  And why did he score it?  Because the right back had gone missing.

DONCASTER ROVERS

Jordan Ball after 10 seconds and 1 goal in senior football

Tuesday wasn't a bad day for Jordan Ball.  His loan spell was ended at Belper Town due to his not featuring much for the Evo-Stik South league outfit.  So he comes back to Doncaster and is given a chance off the bench.  10 Seconds later and the young striker has his first senior goal.

Dean Saunders joked that it will be all downhill for him from now on.  "Start as you mean to go on" is what I say, Jordan.

I think tomorrow’s game presents us with a very good chance to go there and produce a decent performance and pick up the three points - David Syers

Confidence from David Syers ahead of Donny's trip to the North East.  Syers is happy with the start he's made for the Rovers, and well he should be.  At Bradford, he was bench-warming at best.  From there, he's moved to being ever.present in the Rovers' midfield and arguablythe most consistent performer.  Apparently, he was signed on the advice of John Ryan's solicitor (or someone like that).  Who need scouts! - he's been an excellent signing.

Prediction

Difficult as I've seen both sides of Hartlepool and know that Donny can also be guilty of a no-show.  But Donny are strong away from home and I expect them to be too good for Pool.  2 : 0 to the Rovers with Kyle Bennett scoring.