Opposing View – Hartlepool

Vital Hartlepool gave us a view from the other side ahead of this afternoon`s League One game at the Weston Homes Community Stadium. Take a look!

Q: You smashed Colchester on the opening day with a great goal from Ritchie Jones that stuck in the memory. Has your season lived up to that standard?

A: Perhaps that game did set a precedent for the season. We did well going forward but still let in too many goals. We’ve had an up and down season but look like keeping clear of the relegation places, even if we are too close for comfort.

Q: Where do you see your club being five years from now?


A: Hopefully still in this division. In fact I think your club would be a good example to follow, not the best supported team but still able to reach the Championship.

I think we could go one of two ways next season, either do rather well or struggle. And over 5 years I think we could reach the Championship if we got ourselves into gear but equally could end up back in League Two if we don’t.

A: Who has been your player of the season and why?

Q: Joel Porter, a classy striker who has scored some vital goals for us this season, without him we wouldn’t have half the points we have now.

Q: Which Colchester player would you break the bank to sign?

A: I must admit with you being in a higher division I don’t have that good a knowledge of your squad but I think Kemal Izzet has been such a great servant to you over the years.

While perhaps not the most obvious choice I think teams need experienced heads in the team.

I liked Steven Gillespie when he was at Cheltenham but he doesn`t appear to be doing very well at the minute.

Q: The mid-week win against Swindon could be a turning point for the rest of the season, after a much-needed away win. Are you confident in facing Colchester; will you survive?

A: Our away form has been dreadful and we a poor game between two poor sides on Tuesday. However, I’m ever the optimist and I think we could snatch something if things go according to plan.

Q: Will injury woes impact your team selection on Saturday?

A: Definitely. We’ve got 5 strikers injured. It means we’re probably going to end up with two loanees up front, one of which is a right winger by trade. Elsewhere we’re a little weak in the centre but that’s more down to a thin squad than anything else.

Q: Vital Hartlepool has a great column with the ex-ref Jeff Winter. How did that come about?

A: Jeff has hosted some local radio shows for a good few years now and I got in touch with him asking if he wanted to write a one-off piece.

It was so well received by members of both Vital Hartlepool and other Vital sites that we turned it into a weekly feature and it’s been going ever since.

Q: Rune Lange – a player I used to sign on Championship Manager 99/00! Tell us about the real-life version.

A: Well we’ve only seen him briefly so far, he picked up a dislocated shoulder a couple of weeks back.

He looks like he has a good footballing brain but isn’t fully fit yet. I’d give him a one year deal and see what happens, he has the potential to be a good signing.

Q: Predict a score for Saturday`s game.

A: I reckon we can snatch a point. 1-1.