On Sky
The Cherries make their second long journey in 8 days with a trip to Hartlepool, and once again, they play in front of the Sky TV cameras. Everyone connected with AFCB will therefore hope a better performance and result is achieved than the 2-0 home defeat to MK Dons midweek. Once again, the squad is threadbare, but Kevin Bond has insisted this is no excuse.
Hartlepool, like AFCB, crashed out of the Johnstone`s Paint Trophy midweek to League 2 opposition. In The Pool`s case it was to Morecambe in a penalty shoot-out. Currently positioned in 12th position in the League 1 table, Hartlepool seem unable to gain any consistency, 2 wins and 2 defeats in November symbolise this. Another example is, despite going out the JPT, the club thrashed Gainsborough away from home 6-0 in the FA Cup the previous weekend.
Vital Quotes:
Kevin Bond is showing that he`s feeling very positive for the game, or not!
‘I think it`ll be a fantastic result if we can get anything from the game, but we`ll be going all out for the win.”
After tasting defeat to Morecambe midweek, Pools boss, Danny Wilson, gave his thoughts:
“We`ve got a big game to bounce back in on Sunday and that`s what our aim will be.’
Hartlepool United Team News:
Gary Liddle appears to be out after breaking a bone in his hand in The Pool`s Cup game last weekend. Matty Robson is also a doubt with a calf problem but Andy Monkhouse is hoping to recover from his swollen knee to participate for Danny Wilson`s side. However, no-one is a certain absentee. Other than that, Wilson has a full squad in which to select his sixteen.
Player to watch: Ritchie Humphreys
The creative midfielder has just entered his seventh season with Hartlepool after a period at Sheffield Wednesday. Filling the left-hand side with his experience, he showed his versatility last term by also filling in at left-back, and it will be interesting to see where he lines up against The Cherries, as a left-back berth will indicate attacking intent from The Pool.
AFC Bournemouth Team News:
Neil Moss is out following receiving a boot to the face against MK Dons, Gareth Stewart will deputise. Anderton misses out with his hamstring injury, joining Garry, Perrett, Foley, and Christophe on the sidelines. Max Gradel is still in France on compassionate leave, whilst Lee Bradbury is still suspended and Sam Vokes is on Welsh U`21 duty, meaning attacking options are limited. James Henry looks to have recovered from his knock.Cumming s and Bartley are now making substitute appearances after returning to training. Jem Karacen`s loan spell has ended, and Neil Young is till at Weymouth.
Player to watch: Gareth Stewart
Into the side in place of the injured Neil Moss, Gareth will be hoping to replicate the form he showed last time he came in for Mossy, with fantastic saves that led to The Cherries picking up some vital points. If this positive Stewart arrives than the hesitant one, then it will prove to Bond what a poor move, bringing Bergovic was at the start of the season.
Match Facts & Stats
Current Form
Hartlepool – D L W L W L
AFCB – W L L D W L
Hartlepool at Home
Played 7, Won 3, Drawn 2, Lost 2, Scored 11, Conceded 8, Points 11
AFCB away from home
Played 7, Won 3, Drawn 1, Lost 3, Scored 10, Conceded 9, Points 10
Ref Watch:
Referee: Mr N D Swarbuck
Assistant Referees: Mr P E Curry & Mr C Evans
Fourth Official: Mr M Oliver
Match Prediction:
Both teams can’t seem to decide whether they are to going to build any consistency at the moment, and with AFCB wanting to atone for their poor Sky performance midweek, I’m going to pluck for a hard fought 1-1 draw.
Next Fixtures:
AFC Bournemouth v Barrow (FA Cup Round 1 Replay, Tuesday 20th November 2007)
