By Albatross
December 27 2002

30th November. That's the last time Pools won a match - against Kiddiminster. Cambridge are the visitors this time, and a win is what's needed to avoid being pulled back into the pack. Will we manage it? Pools go into the game with Cambridge knowing that a win is essential to keep up with Rushden - and also to prevent them being rated the worst team in the division for December. Currently we're 23rd in that table, with only Swansea having a worse record.

Cambridge provide formidable opposition at the moment - although it did take a second half equaliser on Boxing Day to earn them a draw at home to Southend. They haven't lost for five games, and have scored in every league game this season - 43 in 23 games in total. Their defence has also been pretty generous however, conceding 33 goals.

Leading scorer Dave Kitson has scored 14 goals already this season - all but one in the league - and Omer Riza and Shane Tudor have also reached double figures. With Tom Youngs on 6 and Paul Wanless scoring 5, there's no individual that has to be stopped - a goal threat can come from a number of players, and the Pools defence will have to be on top form.

One thing that may help Pools is that Cambridge will be missing Terry Fleming and Luke Guttridge through suspension. Wanless was rested against Southend and looks likely to return in Midfield to replace Guttridge, while Pools will be hoping the loss of Fleming will disrupt what already appears to be a somewhat flaky defence.

For Pools, the defence is likely to be the same as the one that played at Hull; while Barron had a tough time in the first half, Mike Newell seems unlikely to drop him. In midfield, Paul Smith picked up a gashed shin and will miss the game; it looks almost certain that Ritchie Humphreys will be asked to fill in on the flank. The question is, will he bring Tommy Widdrington back into the side, or will he choose to shake thinks up a bit more? The case for giving Steven Istead a start continues to grow, and I would be tempted to start him and move Darrell Clarke into the middle. It's more likely though that Clarke will once more play on the right, and Widds will line up alongside Tinks in the middle.

Up front, Kevin Henderson may continue - Richardson looked no more effective when he replaced him on Boxing Day - but Adam Boyd may find his way onto the benchto provide a different option should things not be going well.

A win is what Pools need to get things back on track, but Cambridge will also be looking for the victory to close the gap on Pools. I'm going to go for 2-1 to Pools, Williams and a scrappy late winner from Humphreys to at least keep us level with Rushden.