Big Sam - top form

By Charlie Summerbell
November 18 2009

Hartlepool’s defence this season is streets ahead of the one that almost dragged the side to relegation last season, with one of the best goals against records in League One – and the rearguard will face its sternest test of the campaign so far on Saturday when Pools take their five-game unbeaten League run to sixth-top Huddersfield.

There are a number of reasons for the dramatic improvement at the back, including the emergence of Gary Liddle as a top central defender alongside the impressive Sam Collins, and the form of full-backs Neil Austin and the improving Peter Hartley.
With the back four performing well as a unit and as individuals, the form of keeper Scott Flinders has been a revelation. Not only is he better than last season’s incumbents, but he’s one of the best in the League.
But Huddersfield will test the defence to the limits. They are unbeaten at home and with 26 goals have scored more on their own pitch than any other team in League One - 20 in the last four games there.
The fact that they have only conceded three at home, also the best in the League, shows that they are either good at defending as well or attack so much than opponents don’t have the scope to attack themselves – or both.
But Pools have one of the best away records in the League, too. They have won three and drawn three away, which is a match for the away record of Charlton, who are second top.
Managed by Geordie legend Lee Clarke, Huddersfield have spent a lot of money looking for promotion, but their away record is nowhere near as good as their home form and that is why they are only sixth top with 27 points, only four points ahead of Pools.
Town are in the habit of scoring six goals a game recently, struggling Wycombe their latest victims last weekend, but on their best away form, Pools should provide a sterner test than that.
They only beat Leyton Orient 1-0 last weekend, but on chances and possession they could have at least trebled that score, so hopefully the new-look pairing of James Brown and Adam Boyd up front will cause problems for a Huddersfield defence which is clearly not used to being put under pressure at home.

Three days after the trip to West Yorkshire, Pools face another so-called big club when Southampton visit the Vic, and on the evidence of their home defeat againt Brighton last weekend they are not going to bother the teams aiming to play a roll in the promotion play-offs.

A point on Saturday would be as great result, a win would really get people excited - even the moaners.