They have yet to score a goal, let alone record a victory, but only Walsall (9 points), Mansfield (6 pts) and Darlington (6 pts), have had more attempts on goal in Division 2. Pool have also hit the woodwork 3 times and missed 3 penalties !
Boss Danny Wilson, has had a full week to prepare for today and work on what has been going wrong, in reality not too much has, they just need a goal. He strengthened the squad on Thursday with the signing of highly competitive midfielder, Willie Boland, who left Cardiff in the summer, after over 200 appearances for the Welsh club.
This has become a must win game for Hartlepool, they have a set up and squad good enough for promotion, maybe too good. 15 months ago they were within 30 minutes of the Championship, hopefully, now that the reality of Division 2 life has sunk in everyone will now "roll their sleeves up".
I understand that Wilson has got that message over to the players in no uncertain terms. The enforced transfer embargo, due to the salary cap, has been lifted, hence the signing of Boland and there will be a couple more.
Wilson said......
"The players here have had a chance and not been put under pressure by anyone coming in.Some have been here quite a long time and there has to be pressure from within and competition from within the squad itself."
Of the proposed new signings......
"All these players are linked with other clubs as well but we like to think we can be the major choice for them.When they see the ambition we have and where we are going, hopefully we can persuade them we are the right choice.''
And, after creating 19 scoring opportunities on their only outing at Victoria Park to date this season, Wilson admitted: "Training has been going really well and there's been a positive reaction to the results. We've worked very hard on the attacking side of our game to get it right.
I really can't believe that we haven't scored yet, but I'm not overly worried.It's only a matter of time and when it does come, there will be an avalanche".
Visitors today, Torquay have made an ok start, with two wins and a injury time loss to Lincoln, but both wins came with a big dose of good fortune. It is a long way up to the North East from South Devon, a 1000 mile round trip, as near as makes no difference and, as you might expect, the h2h is heavily in favour of the home side. Pool have won the last 7 and 6 of these victories have been by 2 or more goals. Home win for me.
4 points Hartlepool 1.90 general quote, 2.0 is still available on some "coupons" .
Good Luck.
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