Thetownend.com

The opponent:  Hartlepool United

Well, I get the feeling that we are not much further knowing the exact outcome of the takeover than what we were the last time we met a few days back. Paolo is still off to Villa/Huddersfield/Forest (delete as applicable) if the social networking sites are to be believed, and a bumper crowd is expected at The County Ground today, with some thinking this may be the last opportunity they get to see Paolo beat the dugout in to submission, whilst others will be turning up hoping that 90 minutes of full on support will help sway the gaffer in to adopting our simple little town, further in to his heart. Perhaps some people are going for both reasons? In a stupid and rather overly sentimental way, I am hoping that 5 minutes before kick off, Red Jed and his consortium land their helicopter on the pitch, and out steps Jed with Warren Buffet , Bill Gates and Peter Stringfellow, who then address the crowd with the news that 3 new players are on the way, Paolo has signed a 3 year extension and Matt Ritchie is coming in on loan from Bournemouth. Then I awoke.

Hartlepool United are the visitors today and having done the journey 3 times (twice on the opening day of the season), I can empathise with the long journey the handful of Poolies will have to do. I have to say, 99% of the Hartlepool fans I come across on the internet, and the one’s I have had a beer with on the away days, are a decent bunch and with larger attractions nearby such as St James park, The Stadium Of Light etc, they do quite well to get the attendance they do! I will always remember one rather disgruntled Poolie throwing his bag of chips at our car. This was when Peter Brezovan had possibly the most amazing debut I have ever witnessed. As he threw them he shouted “Fooking Loocky Cooonts” Bless him, bet he saved up all week for those chips.

Interestingly, our first meeting with Hartlepool United wasn’t until 1968, a game which ended 0-0 and was more infamous for Town Legend John Trollope breaking his arm and bringing to an end the run of 368 consecutive games he had played for us. They don’t grow players like that too often nowadays! The modern day town of Hartlepool, which has some 95’000 inhabitants, represents a joining together of Old Hartlepool, locally known as the "Headland", and West Hartlepool. What was West Hartlepool became the larger town and both were formally unified in 1967. Today the term "West Hartlepool" is rarely heard outside the context of sport, but one of the town's Rugby Union teams still proudly retain the name. The name of today’s opponents reflected both boroughs when it was formed in 1908, following the success of West Hartlepool in winning the FA Amateur Cup in 1905, it was called "Hartlepools United" in the hope of attracting support from both towns. When the boroughs combined in 1967 the club renamed itself "Hartlepool" before renaming itself Hartlepool United in the 1970s.  The list of famous people from Hartlepool is not the most inspiring, although quite a nice mixture of randoms. Famous gynaecologist Eric Thomas, Dancing bloke Wayne Sleep, one of my favourites is the canoeist that tried to fake his own death, John Darwin, and locally one of the more famous folk is Adam Boyd, who had 2 spells with the club and is probably most famous for having an affair with some tart and the husband walks in to find them at it, so Boyd is out of the window semi naked faster than a rat up a drainpipe.

Either way today, I hope everyone at the game gives it 110% for Di Canio, much like he has since he has been manager of our club.

Flashheart’s Foughts –

So still we wait to hear of our fate. Here’s hoping they hurry before it’s too late.

There’s still some that think, or even wish, the takeover’s as real as a Findus beef dish.

There’s nowt we can do about the FA but hope they’ll maybe shit hedgehogs one day.

Less chat about Jed & Co. There’s a game to be won, don’t you know?

We’re at home, at last, on a pitch with some grass. Real football on a surface where balls can be passed.

As players return from their deadly man flu there’s even a chance we’ll fill the bench too.

10,000 strong the crowd should be. Not bad considering our foes will bring 3.

On a playing surface like snooker baize we’ll put in a shift that will truly amaze.

3 points in this game could see us go top with the bonus of making Jeff Stelling strop.

If the boys can fight through their sickness fatigue we’ll be one step closer to winning the league.

By Preston we’ll have forgotten about the FA’s meddles. Instead we’ll be thinking of champion’s medals.


What are they saying about us? -

“1-1 Poole

Swindon are a good side, a point at their place is a good result-potentially Di Canio's last game before taking Huddersfield job??”

http://www.pooliebunker.co.uk/newbunker/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=48423

Hartlepool United Last 6 – WLDLWW (Hartlepool are currently bottom of League 1 on 19 points)

The Threat – Veteran striker Steve Howard is currently lacing his boots up at Hartlepool, it would seem the attacking options for them are some what limited as he is currently their top scorer with 3 goals for the season.

A Warm Welcome TO – The big eared winger Andy Monkhouse makes yet another return to the County Ground. Surely one of Dennis Wise’s signings won’t be running pas the Town End with his hands cupped to his ears again?

The irrelevant stats –  Something that stands out is the fact they have not kept a clean sheet for 26 games, never a good start. Although on the other hand, their recent away form has been rather decent, having won 2 and drawn 1 of their last 3 on the road. One of them was away to Pompey though so maybe you can’t read too much in to that.

Head to Head – We have met Hartlepool on 28 occasions and have won 11, drawn 11, and lost just the 6 games.

The Odds –  Swindon   4/11   Draw 7/2    Hartlepool 8/1 (odds found on StanJames.Com) One bet I fancy, and I have no idea why, is an Aden Flint goal. Good chance he is going to start and a generous 30/1 with BetVictor to score 1st. Andy Williams is as short as 7/2 with some outlets, that’s more the sort of odds you get on Messi to score 1st!

The Son Says – After mocking his sister’s prediction of a 1-1 scoreline, the son boldly predicts a 3-0 victory to the mighty reds.

The Prediction - I think The Monkey Hangers good run of away form will come to an end at fortress County Ground. Goals from Williams, Rooney and Flint. 9’767 in attendance, 101 from way up north.

And Finally –   Beginning at around 1pm on 4th January 1922, the Great Timber Yard Fire was, aside from the town’s bombardment by German forces in 1914, possibly the greatest disaster in Hartlepool’s history. Allegedly seen as far away as Doncaster, it was reputed to have caused about 1 million pounds worth of damage and left over 80 people homeless. Such was the scale of the devastation that, along with donations from other parts of the region, the King and Queen even contributed £150 to the Mayor’s disaster fund and sent a telegram of reassurance to those who were affected. It is believed the fire was started from the spark of a locomotive.

COYR COYR COYR

Impeccable timing, as ever!

Personally would like revenge for the 0-0 up at their place, long way to go to see that along with Miller missing that penalty, so I'll say 2-0 Town in front of 9923 with 87 making the trip down from Hartlepool...scorers...Rooney A and Collins!

thanks rosso , i can now go to bed to dream of the 4-0 drubbing we are going to dish out later today .
Goals from williams 2 , ferry and roberts infront of 9753 with 83 hartley fellows .

Let's fucking stuff these fucking cunts

I've got a good feeling about this.  2-1 Swindon COYR

Looking forward to seeing Hartley and Poole in real life. I imagine them as a sort of Laurel and Hardy duo, with hopefully the same potential for hilarious mishaps and comic ineptitude with many goals ensuing.

5-0 Swindon.

Will be at the CG as always watching us win 3-0. Great response regarding ticket sales !  " Stand up for Di Canio "

WHEN PATEY LEAVES, WE'RE ON THE PISS!

I think we might win.

Really need this game to take my mind off things. Sorry to go all Dostoyevsky on you but I really need a drink, even if it is the source of all my problems.

3-0.

I hope you are right.  I stumbled into a bookies when drunk and put 3 quid on this score line.

I expect a cut of the winnings. Perhaps sah you can wire me the monies..  :nod:

If it comes in I think I shall spend it in the online club shop - feel like I should since I can't make it to the game

Good luck Town. Not around today. Hoping to wipe the smile off Jeff Stelling's face.

My inconsiderate wife has only gone and started having contractions. They're coming every 5 mins so just waiting a bit longer before heading off to the hospital.

3-0 with Williams, Collins and Ward on the scoresheet.

If I get this right, I'll name him Paolo.

Wish me luck!

Has your misses agreed to that? Good luck.
3-0

I'll just offer to register the birth. We can carry on calling it whatever we decide but his birth certificate will say Paolo. Reckon I could get away with it for a little while.

Wish you luck?!  What about your inconsiderate wife?   ;D

Best of luck to both of you.  And Jnr.

Honestly - women and bloody timing !!!

Good luck to you both :-)

Town need to be clinical and the fans need to be loud.

Think Hartlepool have been lucky to win their last two game I'm sure we have more than enough to put in a convincing win,
3-0 will do, Collins, ferry and a late storey goal, don't think Brian Howard is available. 9750. coyr  :beers:

We will thrash them, 2-1

Bend her over and whack her arse with a cricket bat to speed things along...or a vindaloo for breakfast. Good luck to you and the Mrs, hope everything goes well and you can announce another town fan at the next home game!

3-1

4 - 0

2-0 Williams, Collins

11,154

We will lose 1-0 to an Andy Monkhouse goal.

4-0. 9999 fans, 99 of which are pools.

With all the Town Enders moving into the side stands, reckon there will be a good distribution of singers to get the fast clapping brigade to sing instead, and get the atmosphere going. COYR!

Our recent home form really is shaky against Hartlepool isn't it. Hopefully today won't be similar to the Orient and Colchester home games.

They've tightened up since Boxing Day and have some good results recently so I think it'll be tough.

2-1 with Collins getting 2.

10,172 with 85 from 'pool.

 Whilst i don't think this is a nailed on 3pts,we should have too much for Hartlepool and a 2-0 win with Collins and Roberts would be very nice

I'm bringing a mate today to see what all this Di Canio fuss is about, hoping he enjoys it. 3-0 to the Town and 10,435 crowd.

I agree it's normally better when there's less people believe it or not.

My and my mates tickets are just in front of you and Si, about 3 rows down, looking forward to my first game since the dreaded O's game which was shit, I expect a crowd of 9,654 with only 43 coming from Pools today.

Stand up for Di Canio !! Would be great if everyone joined in.

Would be a nice way to make him feel appreciated.

"If you love PDC, clap your hands!"

BTW ... @Flashheart

Are you Pam Ayres in disguise?

Brilliant pome :)

4-0

1-0 Town  Ward to score
Crowd 10,001

But not using my ticket babbers!

Can't wait for today!

Hopefully you join in with some of our chants then haha.

Will pop along and say hi me old mucker :)

Looking forward to this, hopefully the  atmosphere will be brilliant and the performance matches it.

2-0 (Williams x 2) 9,654 (68 pools)

Bit of crowd support for PDC then beers, takeover Monday, signings Tuesday, promotion in May, beers. Boom.

About to leave lonion en route to cg. 0-0 today.

"...really really fucking quickly leading to chaos and breakdown of every fucking song and chant ever invented"  :(

What is it with the clapping speeding up?

The worst one is when the Town End get the South Stand to sing "we are Paolo's red and white army" and it goes back and forth between master and the apprentice stands, Perfect... Until that is some cretins start trying to clap a beat to it. FUCKING KILLS ME every single time that one.  :cry:

Not sure who it is, but theres always someone breaking ranks in the town end to clap during that one, inevitably killing the whole thing dead. no rhythm I guess? honestly dont get it. it cant just be sheer stupidity can it. can it?

Up for today, although nursing a hangover from 3 big bottles of Peroni last night, either I'm a lightweight or I was actually drinking horse DAN. not sure which is a worse prospect.

We've got to spank them today, surely, huge home banker we'll be the first name on my accy. hope theres a decent crowd, and I might actually stand in my actual spot in the town end for a change if the rabble are migrating to the posh seats for  the day  :D

Don Paolo, we salute you.  :beers:

What about "If you love PDC, wave your flag!"

Can't clap and wave unless they are mutants ... oh!

Fast clappers should be made to hold a scarf aloft for the next 45 minutes.  It's the only way.

Corrected, for the Town End.

Sweet....setting off now so wear a name badge!

Looking foward to today, feels like ages since I've seen a game at the County Ground. Back to the 5-0 wins, Williams 2, Collins 2 and Roberts in front of 10100 with 71 Poole fans.

Just about to set off from Woo, my little boy is not well so is going to give it a miss, will miss him not being there but as a bonus I can go to the pub before kick off rather than the junior reds room.

4-1

Stand up for Paolo.

[url width=480 height=360]http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_meacg2DNEN1qdn14l.gif[/url]

4-1 Town, and I fancy Roberts to finally get on the scoresheet today for some reason.

10311 in attendance with 57 Pools.

3-1 Town Collins, Williams and Roberts with 9789 in Attendance.

What's all this about Town Enders migrating to the side stands today? Just speculation as it's same price all round?

3-0 Town today moving us in to the top two (good chance of that happening if we win) leading on to good news in the week and then promotion in april  :nod:

pure speculation on my part but you usually see a few people who are usually stood in the gloom of the town end with a bit of  noise and a shit view, viewing it as an upgrade to be sat higher up with a better view, albeit in silence and with no legroom.

For my personal footballing criteria, I'd see that as a DOWNgrade. depends on your priorities I guess  :toocool:

Trains between Bath and Chippenham fucked which is not ideal for my chances of getting there in time to buy a ticket and have a drink.

Hartlepool are at 8s on Betfair which suggests everyone else is a lot more confident than we are in our victory today!

Is anybody on the forum? Seems a bit quiet.

If we win we got top as it stands !

I'm here.. stuck at home, wishing I could have gone today but used up all my passes with away games recently :-(

Twitter says we;ve scored

Having watched Leyton O the other day, I reckon they've got enough about them to hold off Tranmere or at least get a draw. This season is definately starting to shape up very much like last year now.

still not heard it yet

Morshead hasn't twittered it yet.  Sounds doubtful.

is the goal on twitter a wind-up?

We're top for the moment,super Simon Ferry

I take it back.  Ferry!!!!

Sam Morshead ‏@SamMorshead_SA
GOOOOOAAAAAALLLLL!!!!! 1-0 (Ferry, 15) Fantastic sweeping move goes through Thompson and Roberts before Ferry sidefoots home.

Rooney!!!!!!!! TOTFL

My word. What's the point in listening live. Still no goal here

At last!!!!

Yay

I've never bothered subscribing to the STFC player and the more I hear about it on here, the more I think I never will.

Are you listening by carrier pigeon?

Updated league table - http://www.sportinglife.com/football/live/league-tables/league-one (http://www.sportinglife.com/football/live/league-tables/league-one)

Doncaster equalised.

Odds of it staying like that for the next 70 mins are slim at best...but fuck me, that looks beautiful.

Tranmere 1-0 down, Donny drawing 1 each

It is indeed beautiful.  Anybody remember the patronising words of caution we got from Chesterfield fans, based on their own abject failure at this level?

Need a second.  I can't see Hartlepool competing again after going 2 behind.

BBC Website change the scorer to Rooney..?

At the moment we r top of the league  :beers: :beers:

Orient missed penalty against Tranmere.

Ha ha often thought that myself, they were warning us like we had never played at this level before! Mugs

MERDA  :( But they r struggling, there is hope for top 2 of the league

We've made up something like 7 points over Tranmere in the last couple of months...and their run hasn't been all that bad either, after losing to us.  Just need to keep plugging away.

And that's half time.

Sam Morshead ‏@SamMorshead_SA
Town good in patches but not at their best. Hartlepool loose at the back, a fluent Swindon could take them to pieces.

Very much like the similar margin we clawed back against Crawley last year (if not more maybe)

True.  But Crawley's form had to collapse for that to happen.  Tranmere's hasn't.  We've just been a little more consistent than they have, and used our games in hand to full effect.

We r just being so consistent defensively..  winning almost all home games and being solid away. That's crucial. Defense wins championships, like in the Nba   :D

also, I don't know if u remember but Di canio said after the incredible 5-0 games that when we would have won some games 1-0, then we would have been a great team.. That's what is happening lately.. very hard games, with few goals, but looking always solid, we never give up

One more goal should do it with our defensive record. COYR

Come on Town.  Let's wrap this up.

flinders inspired

Their keeper keeping them in the game.

and Pox one down to wavers

 :clap:

9973 (154), shame we couldnt get it above 10k.

Hartlepool almost bang on their average away following

....but slow clapping is disrespectful

Just checking in and pleased to see we're winning and relieved to see I won't be naming the little guy Paolo.

Labour is bloody boring!

Stupid Flinders.

Stupid Sexy Flinders

Orient 2-0 up now

Collins on now.

We have got to win now.  Don't throw this away.

Puts our point there into perspective.

Fuck. I hate Monkhouse.

bloody monkfish

Oh fuck it...not him again.

SHITTT :/ Need to win this..  :cry:

Why always him? every fucking time.

Tranmere get one back too.

Well I jinxed that, didn't I.  Sorry fellas.

Knew I should have put some money on him scoring

Fuckity fuck...fucking Monkhouse

Are we attacking at least?  :cry:

Always seems to the cunt.

Donny losing as well now! A win would be huuuuge

So frustrating.  But would be even more so if we deserved to be ahead...and it doesn't really sound as if we do.

Come on Miles!

Lads sound knackered.

Whens our next game? is it the 19th?

Think we need a break in order to get some fresh legs in and let those we have have a rest!

ft

Balls. 2 points dropped.

Glad the boys will get a rest now.

Alan Mac is so critical.

Sounded like the result we deserved.  Shame we couldn't get all three points, but the unbeaten run continues.

And this is really sad.  Idiots.

Sam Morshead ‏@SamMorshead_SA
Fans in the Town End throwing objects at Flinders at the final whistle. Daft.

point gained on the top 2 to add a positive note

Disappointing to miss an opportunity to go top, but really cannot grumble about that having gained another point on the automatics.

Well, we totally blew that.  Should have been 3-0 up easily, but again inability to take our chances has cost us against a team at the bottom of the table.  Their goalie who was suspect at times kept them in it and a ridiculous few minutes where we failed to clear the ball saw them equalize.  Of course it had to be fucking Monkhouse who scored.

To their credit, Hartlepool defended well and looked better than their position suggests, but in terms of chances we should have beaten them and be sitting at the top of the league now.

I don't know whether some players are still suffering slightly from the virus, but there were a few that looked out of sorts.

Just back and all I can say is : fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck

As one sided as the Pompey game - don't know how we didn't win. Amazing saves by their keeper and horrendous misses.

At the end the issue with their keeper - was it a free kick or not ? If it was then he touched it twice and should have been a pen ? (or indirect free kick)

Ferry had a blinding first half rounded off with a great goal, quieter second.

Paolo waved at the end but no scarf  >:(  :(

see Both Green and Wright-Phillips played for Charlton today

something i've rarely seen at the CG, aside from the odd season ticket landing outside the Town End. hope it sounds worse than it was.

was following the game on Twitter and as soon as i saw Monkhouse was coming on, i knew it'd end 1-1.

disappointing not to capitalise on other results but a point is a decent result given events off the pitch recently.

Any word at all yet from Paolo?

Apparently spoke already. Already over by the time I got to car. Hodgetts said he spoke as enthusiastically about game but moved away from mike when asked about future.

Didn't hear it myself. And I probably read too much into his waves at the end.


As for the game, Hartlepool were not bad except didn't have much going forward. If the second goal went in it was game over. But their keeper made two exceptional saves. I fucking hate monkhouse.

He sounded like he was on speed - said something about 'stupid donkeys' 8)

Oh yeah, Roberts was my man of the match.

Nnnggghhh! Frustrating. Their goal was coming after a few minutes of pressure (and an unusually shaky defence), but we should have been out of sight by then. Three blinding saves by their keeper kept them in it. And yet more woeful finishing from Williams (and others). He does a lot of the hard stuff, then blazes horrifically high and wide - he really does need to work on that, as it's fucking annoying. Also, I know Collins has goals to his name this season, but for some reason, I never feel like he'll get a shot on target, let alone win us the game. Wish I had some confidence in him.

Roberts is getting better though, and even some of his final balls look effective or threatening.

2 points dropped, but better than a loss.

Haven't got a clue how we didn't win that. It was complete domination apart from 5 mins they had in the 2nd half when they scored.

if Macca scored just before half time with a great chance I've no doubt we'd have won 4-0 at least. Then the keeper makes a couple of incredible saves and the writing was on the wall. He was an absolute cunt at the end, time wasting repeatedly and then shoving the ref twice, before celebrating the final whistle facing the Town End. Hardly a surprise the odd thing got thrown at him.

What did Paolo say?

Sounds ominous...

PAOLO DI CANIO

“I want to thank the fans because it is not important, they appreciate the job I have done, and until the day I am here I will always give my best.

“It’s a special relationship and I will never forget them in two years, five days, three month’s time.

“I stand by my statement before the Crawley game, and nothing changed in my situation"

Ah bollocks. I guess the talk with the new owners didn't go well then. Humph.

Agree with this Batch.  Ferry always seem to be the default if there's no real standout player.

It did go well according to the press. (I don't remember who said it)

The original statement was made a while ago and he's still here.....

Well he said today he stands by the statement released before the Crawley game, the one where he said his future was clouded and his position untenable. Whoever told the press otherwise is obviously pushing a different point of view from Paolo himself.

Maybe he's waiting to see what happens immediately after the takeover goes through.

He also said this:


And this


I think your'e reading too much into it.

tenses are difficult in a second language.

2 points dropped, a load of chances wasted, their keeper make 3 world class saves and fucking prick Monkhouse scores.....frustrating!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No game until Tranmere, what a big game that is! Fingers crossed over next 10 days players return to fitness, takeover goes through, pdc stays and we get 2 or 3 fresh bodies in for the end of season run in!

Oi!  >:(

It doesn't sound that ominous to me in all honesty. Untenable means it is impossible to continue. If he really considered his position at the Club to be untenable then he would have already gone.

Thought Hartlepool looked half decent - tried to play tidy football but had very little threat up front.

I was convinced their defence was going to make one huge cock-up during the game - they got away with some shoddy defending a few times.

De Vita does work his bollocks off - so for that alone, my MOM

I did think of you as I was typing it 8)

Indeed

It's Paolo's way of saying: No comment.

Nothing more, nothing less

I don't think anybody is expecting Paolo to leave in the short-term ( at least i hope not )
but it maybe the case, that he's not so enthusiastic beyond the summer.

Good to see that he commends the players as being "the best lads i've met in my life".

Usually do!

Well that was shit, we could not pass the ball, all we had was hoof fucking hoof, where's the football gone from last season? We clearly missed Hollands to link our defence to attack, ward won everything in the air at the back, we should be top of the league, why don't our wingers run up and down the wing get to the flag and put balls in? If we carry on playing like that we won't make play offs.

Our wingers ave never played like that under Paolo

Cannot agree that we totally dominated the match, I thought only one team played football in the second half and it wasn't the team in red.  We very quickly ran out of ideas and just kept tossing long balls up into the front two, who came up against a decent centre-back pairing.  Their goal came because of the business of pulling 11 men back into the box to defend every corner, we have no out ball, we are immediately under pressure, the ball gets lumped back in every time, a couple of bounces, a deflection and that cunt Monkhouse scores against again - and he hadn't been on the pitch very long either!!  Lovely goal by Ferry, well worked with Thompson and Roberts.

Our goal was down to some outstanding passing. Macca nearly replicated it with his run too.

But yes, we didn't control the (centre of) midfield enough for me, hence didn't string passes together. Hartlepool were strong and disruptive and  passed it OK themselves at times. Not forwards, but neatly enough.

If you look at Hartlepool's recent games they are harder to beat and have got a couple of good results. They are where they are because of early season dire straights.

Disappointed that Roberts doesn't have the extra dimension to be able to take the ball on his right - all his crosses were from very deep, on his left foot.

Think the 3 saves Flinders made were terrific, and Hartlepool seemed like a different side second half, very up for it. Think Collins should have gone though.

I didn't think Miller was great to be honest.  Would Pack be a direct replacement for him?

I agree with Ronnie about the whole team being back to defend a corner as well.  We do it every single time and it's completely unnecessary.  Not only is there nobody left outfield to pick the ball up, but the more players in the box, the more likely there is to be a deflection or foul.

Very frustrating, because it really was no surprise when the ball ended up in the back of our net.  


Even though Roberts was good today, he's still a long way short of Ritchie, as is De Vita, who seems to struggle past around 70 minutes.  We definitely need to be looking to bring in another winger when this damn takeover goes through.

It was frustrating that we didn't win today as it would have been brilliant to go top. Looking back at previous promotion/play off seasons, you always get results like this and it will happen to all the other top sides as well. I think of Doncaster at home (1-1) in 86-87 when we went up and I think they went down. More recently was Exeter at home (1-1) when we went to the Play Off Final and they just stayed up. Shit happens and at the end of the day, we've gained ground on the teams above us.

So disappointing that we played so much long ball on a pitch that was superior in every way to the ploughed fields of the away games, and the one time we do get the ball on the ground we tore them apart. Definitely missing a constructive ball player in midfield, not sure if Pack (if he ever arrives) will fill that bill and agree that we miss Hollands.

Always bugs me regarding our defence at corners. Leave two men out means that the opposition would require three to cover plus the corner taker that only gives six players to attack against eight defenders plus 'keeper. If we cannot handle that then they should not be playing professionally but the team obviously work to instructions.

I am sure that the sickness bug had some part to play as there were a few of them that looked jaded and not at all sharp but that might be me looking for excuses.

How is it opposition goalkeepers seem to save their best performances for when they play us as well?

 :no:

Paolo likes playing games, don't think he would ever give a definite yay or nay even if all was rosy in the boardroom.

Well that was all a bit flat - both the fans and the players. Standount performers for me were Ferry and Nathan. Fair play to Hartlepool who rode their luck, played the ball around really well and looked a hell of a lot better than a lot of other sides down here that season.
Couldn;t really give a fuck that it was Monkhouse who scored for them. Likewise thier keeper at the end. goalkeeper in time wasting shocker and I'd like to think Fods would have done pretty much the same.
Williams really is an enigma. He's got pace and control but there are games where he works hard but wouldn;t score in a million years - this was one of them. Rooney looked good then faded. Collins looked so far off the pace he looked as though he'd quaffed a few beforehand.
Roberts played better than normal but he was nowhere near MOM. His decision making really is crap although he did well for the goal.
All in all disapointing but we're 1 point off the top and the Scummers lost.

No he doesn't. biggest load of rubbish said about the bloke.
He says how he feels at the time. No mind games-no agenda etc,etc.....

One of those days.  If it wasn't for Flinders making a couple of world class saves we would have gone on the win by 4 or 5.

Everyone was pretty average with the exception of  Thompson was by far and away our best player, there are signs of a decent understanding with Roberts.

Fair play to Hartlepool for keep it on the deck and play some nice stuff. The boy Walton was pinging long accurate passes all game

Our goal was almost orgasmic

I would disagree, there's method in his madness...there's a ruthless calculating chap that lies underneath.

We looked tired today so I'm glad we've got next weekend off.

Over a week now to sort the takeover out, hopefully bring in some players and prepare for Tranmere.

We should have won. Somehow H'pool got away with playing the majority of their football between there back 4 and midfield. Disappointed tonight as we all are but the whole slating of bringing everyone back for corners is bollocks. It's the way Paolo likes it and has helped us to have the best defence in our respective leagues this year AND last.

well that was  :hmmm:

- on the one hand, given this was the first home game since we lost our best player,
it was going to take some time before Roberts works out how to play on the right,
and he did well enough for the first 70 mins until he started playing balls into a crowded
midfield in front of their box. Nathan is really such a promising lad too.

- and yes we do miss Hollands' extra thrust around the box....

- Macca was generally quite restrained in driving forward, but when he did it was
nearly always positive. I would still prefer to see him in midfield, where he can use his
skills more.

- i'm happy to forgive Williams a lot as he does some great stuff, and a number of times
looked like he had an understanding with Rooney. Collins' miss at the end was worse for me
than anything Williams 'missed'.

- De Vita worked hard at times (not much of a 1st half from him though), and I like his vision and understanding with Macca.

- Defence all did well, though Pool didnt have much upfront at all really.

- Ferry was his usual great self.

- Miller impressed me in the first half, but I didnt follow him much after that.

SO..........

The big puzzle for me is the hoofball. So many of us are saying - get it down and play and then
you can build up pressure. Banging it forward all the time means you're playing percentages
and can't built pressure.

AND here'e the rub for me - Paolo's frequent references to 'too much tippy tappy'. That wasn't
what I saw, and I also thought we did better when we did get it down and play.... So it's
something of an enigma for me...they would appear to be playing to his orders. That long ball desire
would also explain his brief love affair with Martin [and the other big front men/donkeys we have had]. 

It's not just today though - I have the same puzzzlement almost every game, except the big wins -
which are usually the result of fluid passing football.

So, as I said, I'm still  :hmmm:

Oh and credit to Pool for trying to play football from the back in their parlous position - but surely we could
have pressured them into more mistakes. (Spurs of all teams have done this very well this year)

They had about 3-4 minutes of great play when they moved the
ball excellently and ended up with the goal - that's what passing the opposition into befuddlement can do...

I concur with others about the lack of urgency - that was puzzling too, but if we had played a passing game
that would have been less noticeable.

Still  :hmmm: so I better go and eat !

It may have already been said? But did their number 5 ever not head the ball?! Even when it was two foot off the surface, he managed to head it!

The oasis starlings were ace to watch

Elaborate?

Have you never watched the flocks of starlings doing their thing over the top of the Town End during a really bad game of football?  For some reason, they like to congregate over the North Star area.

i can't say that i have noticed before, but i sit right up the back of the DRS towards the TE so perhaps they're out of view?

[smart arsed cunt] It's known as a murmuration of starlings [/smart arsed cunt]

I noticed them going down the Great Western Way just by the Oasis on the way home, one of the most incredible murmuration of starlings I have seen.

The oasis starlings put on a magnificent close quartets flying display, twisting and turning, dissapearing in the sky before turning again to appear as a black mass moving as one.

Elaborate enough?

I noticed them behind the town end while Williams was being treated. They were quite a distraction.

I rarely come away from a draw so dejected and feeling like it was a defeat. I don't like blaming refs, but today's was fucking shite, worse than the one we had against Crawley (I nearly leapt out of my seat at one point, nearly decapitating the poor bloke in front of me with my knees). How their keeper stayed on after time wasting and then shoving him (twice!) I do not know.

Some fat cunt behind me was on Robert's back all fucking game. Pissed me off no end.

Fucking hate it when we don't use the quality pitch at the CG and just play hoofball.

Williams looked knackered second half. We seemed incapable of exerting pressure on Hartlepool, and the inability to clear our lines decisively cost us in the end. Atmosphere dribbled away when we started playing shit too.

Rafa, Thompson, McCormack, Captain Caveman (Ward) and Flint all worked their tits off the entire game. Roberts was unlucky on a few occasions, and needs to have a limit on his touches before he passes/shoots. Miller was kind of absent in the second half, as was Ferry, probably because of the hoofball. Annoyed our strikers continue to lack that final touch too.

Anyway, rant over. Let's stuff Tranny, get our new owners in, and have Paolo come out saying he's signed a new four year contract. Roll on next week.

The ref was one thing, but did anyone else notice he chubbiest, campest linesman on the Arkells touchline? He got the pre-match entertainment off to a flyer as he skipped towards the Town End to check the net. Very Daffyd-like.

I thought the ref was very balletic too.

Just remembered it's not all doom and gloom- I was only 20-odd people short of the attendance with my guess. Closest I've been all season!

Enjoyed todays match,the couple of saves from Fliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinders were the turning point.....Pools deserved a point and there football put a lot of bigger clubs to shame.
A big pat on the back for Fllint who is a very able deputy and gets on with basics.

Another good point with results going our way.

If you're bored, have a look at the yellows forum.

I know the politically correct on here don't like anybody talking about them, but it is worth a look if you want a chuckle.

We have been bracketed with Luton as the most hated.

And they are "disgusted" with wovers fans for behaving badly and taking over their pub next to the ground

When ever it gets bad, with the whole takeover thing, and will Paolo go/stay, pop over to the Yellows Forum, and you will realise we actually in a very good place

Bournemouth now 6/4 to win League 1 at Coral, Town 11/2. Really?  ???

Would agree with those odds, Bournemouth look unstoppable at the moment, Town drawing a fair amount and with all the uncertainty at the CG I can see how Bournemouth are favourites as things stand.

Edit to say - also depends on how much money is being piled on Bournemouth too, which I imagine is a lot more than Town at the moment.

There are a couple of clear-headed posters on there when it comes to discussing us.

'I'd rather be 3rd in League 1 than looking over our shoulders towards the bottom of League 2'

TBH cant really see them getting relegated but like a whole host of lower league clubs they have very little ambition - or to be fair, haven't got the funds to be

sounds more like youve been reading  their   version of the gay times league in the middle of a orgy

Interesting game today. Hartlepools are far from the worst side that have come here this year - they closed us down all, won a lot of 50/50s and kncoked the ball about, albeit, mainly between the back four and Simon Walton. We did well to close down high up the pitch, but in doing so, I thought we should have thrown a man on Walton. Instead, there was a lot of chasing shadows - our midfield would close down one by one, and they'd then play through the space that had been created. We've not had that little possession at home, in the important areas, for a while.

As for us - as has been said, we were generally under par and lacking in width. Roberts is far more of a threat on the right, but he comes further inside than Ritchie did, and doesn't get back in position as quickly when we lose the ball. On the whole. everything he does is just that second slower, the crosses aren't as accurate, the short passing not as incisive. As a result of him playng narrower than Ritchie though, we probably saw more of Thompson going forward. Fingers crossed for wide reinforcements, to give us options as much as anything.

A good interpretation of the game , i thought Hartlepoole were 10 times the team shrewsbury were  , although as kerry red said i was expecting them to fuck up big time at the back and we should of had them out of sight before the inevitable 5 -10 min spell they had .

Haven't been in the town end for a while...fair play to jay-oand his choir for trying to add a little variety to the standard stock four songs we have. What was the one to the tune of two unlimited or similar?

Something about TV's own Roy Walker?

Haven't read the thread so I'm probably repeating a lot of what's been said but here's my thoughts:

We should've been out of sight by half time and certainly 15 minutes into the second half, if it wasn't for Flinders we'd have been comfortable long before they had their spell that brought about the equaliser.
Thought they tried to play decent football, if a little dangerous at times what with our high pressing style.

If Williams could finish it wouldn't matter if they'd have scored 2 yesterday - he does all the hard work but just seems to lack the composure to finish chances off on a regular basis.
Great piece of football for our goal and Macca was unlucky after an equally impressive passage of play down the left.
2 points dropped and a hell of a chance missed to go top, the lads sounded gutted on the radio, with the games we have left though, it's still all in our hands.

COYR.

Frustrating to say the least....

Should of been clear and spurned some good chances. Pools keeper was excellent including some great time wasting at the end and winding up the TE ...excellent.

PDC has to take responsibility for sticking with that useless cunt Martin and not playing Rooney.....he's no Charlie Austin but he does have some idea of positioning and making the right runs. It's like getting another player in on loan.....IMO.

Onwards....

Oh yeah.....a little something for me old mate JJ Edmunds who last attended the Orient home game:

http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=%2F&gl=GB#/watch?v=pqUm82U1Kbc

A below par performance yesterday for me. We seemed to lack the cutting edge needed to take all 3 points. Having said that though it was strange that we never really looked like losing and if it wasn't for their keeper making 3 world class saves at the start of the second half we could have been out of sight.

I was disappointed that we sat a bit deeper than normal from around 70 minutes and let them come at us a bit. Normally we press high and stifle the opposition but we didn't do that enough in the 2nd half and that was a big factor that led to their goal.

I thought Roberts was decent yesterday. He looks better on the right. The only downside was that he seemed to lack Ritchie's pace on and off the ball. Other than that though I didn't see anything from him that we didn't see from Ritchie except for the usual long range pops at goal.

All is not lost. In fact a point gained on the top 2 and an unbeaten run stretched to 11 games is hardly cause for concern. Given the amount of players we have available at the moment i'm actually feeling quite positive about us getting back into the groove in the next few weeks if we can get a few loan signings in. Tranmere in 10 days is a huge game now for both sides. Could be the difference between an auto and play off place for either side come May.

I can't be assed to read through the thread so heres my take, first off....

He also said something like "fucking rubbish" it was certainly preceded by the word fucking, which was not picked up on by the interviewer!

As for the game, I thought it was not a bad game at all, we SHOULD have won by 3 or 4 goals their keeper though suspect on crosses at times played a blinder making 3 top notch saves 2 of them were flying into the top corner almost world class save, they threatened only sporadically and we didn't look like conceding even when we did!

Nobody played outstanding but nocbody played badly IMO, we passed the ball like Brazil at times yet still sometimes frustratingly hoofed it out of defence when a short floor pass would have been much better with Ferry running the game in midfield. Roberts a bit wasteful on the wing at times, especially 2nd half.

How the hell Flinders made the 3 point blank saves in the space of a few seconds in front of the town end I will never know.

All in all we played not bad but couldn't either finish it or their keeper kept them in it.

Oh and a bad miss from Collins when almost clean through and he kneed the ball out wide when trying to bury it hard...poor.

Very emotional when the whole ground stood up in the first half with scarves above heads singing "stand up for Di Canio" shame the noise wasn't continued all game.

Luckily though mate....you were in the loo when they scored so for you it was a 1-0 win :D

The team that decimated Tranmere at the turn of the year was unstoppable IMO, but without Ritchie and one of Bostock or Hollands to partner Ferry the honest truth is we look around about a play-off level team at the moment I think.

Still left with the feeling of 'what might have been' coming away from that game yesterday with the off-field issues. It's like a girlfriend breaking up with you and not fully explaining why. There's an unfilled space left behind of unanswered questions that's going to haunt me for a few weeks until we can move on with new owners and players to fill it up.

If we can get in Pack, Wright-Phillips and another winger (the latter essential in my opinion) then we're definitely back in the hunt, and though we're always going to miss the balance Ritchie gave us (still playing at LB FFS, what a miserable move for him after being the fulcrum of our team), we may have gained the prolific striker we've been missing all season in the form of BWP.

Frustrating game, went one nil up and never really were able to put the hammer down. After that five minutes at the start of the second half where we had chances FLINDERS!! made some unbelievable saves, we didn't really create. They were a decent side and I thought they looked very organised at the back - can't believe they're bottom.

Still, unbeaten in 11 we're never going to win every game, with everyone else failing to win it was a good day in all. albeit without the satisfaction of a league topping three points.

FLINDERS!!! was a cunt with the timewasting bit, but played the pantomime villain perfectly and the town end lapped it up - thought the bottle and coin throwing by multiple spastics was uncalled for though

The stand up for di canio bit was fantastic  :beers:

True....and too pissec to see the bank end anyway!

Fucking spot on.

Very true! Defensively I don't see us having too many problems from here on in but the 3 original targets are all essential signings atm, the Charlton duo more so than Pack. I'm also pretty sure that Bostock is still at Spurs. U have to wonder if both parties would still be interested in resurrecting a deal should the opportunity arise!!

Think we need to reconsider giving opposing keepers dog's abuse, seems to coincide with them having a blinder - remember the same thing happened with a keeper called Roberts away at Dagenham a couple of seasons ago.

Flinders certainly cost us two points, although I suppose we could have been a bit better with the final ball first half and it would have been game over I think.

Highlight of the game was undoubtedly Flint's amazing rifled cross in the first half, best delivery from wide this year and up there with Devera's run and assist (against Yeovil?) in the 'where the fuck did that come from' stakes.

That was brilliant. When he shaped up to cross it, I was thinking this is going nowhere, then he delivered that! Who needs Matt Ritchie?

Good as it was, Simon Ferry's attempted overhead kick ran it close in the unexpected!

That would have been immense had that gone in. Rooney also attempted one in the first half as well.

My take on the game.

I thought we played ok but not scoring in that period just after the second half kicked off when their keeper made 2 blinding saves was key. Our goal was a wonderful execution with 4 perfect passes from defence to attack. The second time it happened McCormack was in the clear and sadly his effort went agonisingly past the post.

As the game wore on Hartlepool's tactic of playing keep ball was clearly paying off as they managed to earn a corner and eventually Monkhouse (almost inevitably) was to equalise. Others have said we looked tired, which is probably fair. Plenty of games on crap pitches and a virus going around seems to have taken its toll.

Of the individuals nobody really stood out although I did notice that Darren Ward won almost every single header. Roberts looks better on the right and did a few good things (including the assist for the goal) and looked busy. I thought Rooney worked his bollocks off without reward. Collins was keek I thought after he came on. Couldn't seem to do much right.

A la Rory Fallon's against Slave Traders many moons ago

Don't think McCormack lost one either, certainly not in the second half. Rooney, meanwhile, seems to have forgotten how to get his jump timing right.

Rooney unfortunately is as mobile as Steven Hawking with a puncture.

Except sadly, the one at the back post for their goal. :-(

Don't think Ward has lost a header in his entire STFC career.

Player of the season so far IMO

Have any of you noticed that we could end up in 6th before we play again because we didn't win on Saturday. :eek:

Adam Rooney? The guy that won header after head and put the majority of them in the direction of a team mate?

I was more making a comment on the fact that whenever he lost a header it was because he'd jumped a second or two early. Tbh it was two days ago now and I can't remember how many he won. His timing being off just stuck in me mind.

We should've easily won that game. Their keeper made some great saves. Looking at the video you can see how good the keeper was.

http://www.skysports.com/video/inline/0,,16478_8490596,00.html

As long as a central midfielder plays full back, there's always a chance that'll happen - he's done well, but I'm not all that convinced.