By Albatross
March 14 2003

Hartlepool United face Southend United, looking for their first win in four games. We're still top of the table by a double figure margin though, and Southend have very little to play for. So will Pools chalk up another victory?

After a promising start to the season, it's all gone a bit pear-shaped for Southend. When we played them at Roots Hall back in October, they were looking like Playoff challengers or maybe even more; instead, they have slipped back and now sit in 14th. In theory they are still possible candidates for both playoff and relegation places, but in practice they look to be stuck in the middle.

The season started with a lot of hope for Shrimpers fans, and there was much talk about how many goals new signing Graeme Jones would get; the reality has been somewhat different. Jones has collected more bookings (7) than he's scored goals (3), and is on his way out of the club. Also out of favour is Barrington Belgrave, also scorer of three goals. Instead, Southend's goals have come primarily from two players: Tes Bramble (11) and Mark Rawle (10).

Also on his way out is defender Phil Whelan. The former Middlesbrough player was told at the end of February that he, along with Jones and Belgrave, was not being kept on for next year.

Meanwhile, Rob Newman has been searching for players to try and boost his squad. Former Norwich midfielder Daryl Sutch arrived early in the New Year, while Daniel Marney, Stephen Kelly and Dominic Foley have all joined on loan. This week he has taken the out-of-favour Scott Partridge on trial from Rushden, but he is unlikely to be eligable to play against Pools.

Southend's form is, in a word, poor. Over the last eight games they have lost five and won two - not quite the worst in the division, but not far off. One of the big problems has been their away form: 11 defeats in 18 games, and five defeats in their last six tells it's own tale.

They are capable of springing the odd surprise though, and three weeks ago a couple of early goals were enough to see them beat Rushden at Roots Hall.

One fly in the ointment may be the Referee. Mark Cowburn has some "previous" when it comes to Southend: he reffed a game between them and Rochdale so poorly that Rochdaleafc.com's CullenWatch called him "corrupt" and dared him to sue them on the grounds that the Video Evidence would prove their case! He was awarded their "Worst Ref of 2001/2", and has also earned their ire a couple of times already this season. This does not bode well for Saturday's game.

For Pools, the big question now is when Gordon Watson will start a game. It's unlikely to be this match, although he's almost certain to get more time on the field than last week. He's desperately needed at the moment as we seem to be relying on goals from the midfield rather than the forwards. Kevin Henderson may be hoping for a start, but I won't be surprised to see Eifion and Adam Boyd starting the match again.

Pools haven't won for a whole three games, and we need to get back on track; and this game looks the ideal one to do it with. Southend are out of form, generally poor away from home (despite their FA Cup victory at the Vic), and have little to play for: Pools have a long unbeaten record at the Vic, and know that a win will go a long way to securing the promotion that every Poolie craves. The fact that Tinkler and Humphreys have extended their stay at the Vic can only help team spirit, and Tinks usually looks pretty fired up when playing his former club.

Prediction time then, and I can see a comfortable win in the offing: 3-0, with Humphreys, Tinkler, and a late strike from Flash to put the ice on the caking as Ted Leadbitter would have said.