By Albatross
August 8 2003

It's just about here! After what seems to have been a long break, and plenty of shenanigans over the close season, Hartlepool United travel to Peterborough as the season starts for real. Pools Online previews our first match back in Division 2. Is it me, or has this Summer seemed even longer than usual? Maybe it's because we've not had the Playoffs to extend the season this time, but never mind: the Football Season starts here, and for Pools that means a trip down to Peterborough to take on Barry Fry and his men.

Our opponents have made a late signing: the name "Kanu" will appear on a Posh shirt this season. No, not the Arsenal forward, but his brother, defender Christopher Kanu. Kanu the younger is joining on a free transfer after leaving Ajax over the summer; and although he's won three international caps for Nigeria, he never made an impression in Holland. Indeed, he even had a loan spell at TOP Oss, the side that Pools beat 6-0 in a pre-season friendly not so long ago. Kanu won't be playing against Pools however, unless Fry works a fast one; he's due to undergo an extensive medical at London Road, and according to the official Peterborough site that will delay his registration beyond the deadline.

Not that it's stopped Fry announcing his team though. He may be playing mind games, but he has released the names of the players that will be facing Pools already - the announcement was made on Thursday. He's going to be playing with a 5-3-2 formation, with a strike force of veteran Andy Clarke and Leon Knight; meanwhile, Sagi Burton will captain the side from the centre of defence and another veteran - Andy Legg - will make his debut at left wing-back.

Last line of defence for Posh will be Mark Tyler; the 26 year old has been at the club throughout his career, and has made well over 200 appearances in the League for the club. In midfield, 18 year old loan signing Andre Boucard will join up with Matthew Gill (22) and Tony Shields (23) - a young trio, but Gill and Shields have both clocked up over 100 appearances for Posh. Whether the greater experience (or otherwise!) of the Pools midfield will carry the day may have a lot to say about the outcome of this match. So could the weather; expect both sides to be looking to take on fluid during the game, and fitness will be vital.

Another thing that may of course have a bearing on the game is the Referee. G. Hegley of Bishop's Stortford is not shy about showing cards to people; he showed yellow 109 times in 34 games last season - an average of a bit over three per match. He didn't show the red as often as some though, with six players getting their marching orders. Pools will need to show the discipline of last season to stay on the Ref's good side.

While it seems we know all about the team that Pools will be facing, there's not much more that educated guesswork to go on as far as our own lineup is concerned. Mark Tinkler has been injured, but is hoping to have recovered in time to play; and Mickey Barron is a doubt as well - though he too is hoping to be available. Beyond that, we know little about what system Cooper is likely to employ, and while a few players look racing certainties to start - Humphreys, Taffy Williams, and Michael Nelson - there are almost all the other places up for grabs. If we play with four at the back, will Jordan play on the left, in the centre, or not at all? What about Chris Westwood? Which two out of Eifion, Robinson, and Gabbiadini will start up front - or will he surprise us completely and play all three? Will Mark Robinson get the nod at left back, will it be Jordan, or maybe even John Brackstone, who seems to have caught Cooper's eye? Will Gavin Strachan start the game, and if Tinks doesn't make it then who else will play in the centre? One good thing - if seasoned fans aren't sure what Cooper is going to do, Barry Fry will be struggling as well.

Posh seem to be pretty confident of beating us for the most part - and several of them think it'll be by at least three goals. It's a long time since we've got the better of them at London Road - in fact, February 1990 - but we've only played at their ground five times since, and only lost two of those. The last time we met was in 99/00, and in the away game we lost 2-1. That was the season Posh beat the Loids in the playoff final; and it was also the first day of the season. It's fair to say that the Peterborough fans are looking forward to renewing their acquaintance with one of their opponents from the game at Wembley; Marco Gabbiadini is distinctly unpopular with them. Given we know how Gabba used to react to the booing from us when he played for Darlo, it might just be the spur he needs to find the net on his debut for Pools.

Despite all the unknowns, and the confidence of many of the home fans, I'm feeling quietly confident that Pools will take something from this game. I'll go for a 1-1 draw, with Gabbiadini netting his first league goal in the white and blue of Hartlepool United.