The End is Near for the Pools

Hartlepool United have had a recent bad run of results, and this continued after they suffered a 1-0 defeat on Saturday at Stevenage.

 

Hartlepool were debatably the better team despite Stevenage nicking the 3 points as ‘Pools had 8 shots on target to Stevenage’s 4 throughout the game but Stevenage nailed another coffin into Hartlepool’s coffin as they took another step towards league two next season.

Stevenage welcomed back new manager Graham Westley back to Broadhall Way for his third spell in-charge of the ‘Boro’ as he saw his side give him a perfect start to his new campaign.

Hartlepool are now eight points adrift of the dotted line and could be relegated this weekend if they are beaten by fellow strugglers Bury and if other results don’t go their way.

Hartlepool recently lost veteran striker Steve Howard as Sheffield Wednesday loaned the big striker from the ‘Pools and John Hughes (Hartlepool manager) recently admitted that it is going to take a miracle to see his side survive so he is preparing his side for what is likely to be life in league two next season. The trouble that Hartlepool have had all season is scoring goals and during the season main striker Steve Howard has only scored three goals all season, all of his goals have been against Sheffield United; two of which came in a famous 3-2 win over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

Hartlepool had a mini revival during the month of February which saw ‘Pools go unbeaten throughout the month and picked up 14 points out of an available 18. This lead to Hartlepool manager John Hughes and central defender and club captain; Peter Hartley who made the headlines during a 2-1 victory over Notts County in which Peter HARTLEY and James POOLE scored in the same game which made the headlines up and down the country. Since this good spell for ‘Pools fans they have not been able to score in 8 successive games leaving them agonisingly close to being relegated to league two next season.

Karl Curran          @currankarl