Archived News from November 2015
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HARTLEPOOL PREVIEWS
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Chris Clements back as Mansfield aim to end goal drought against Hartlepool
chad.co.uk, by John Lomas, Thursday 19 November 2015 Adam Murray will welcome back midfield ace Chris Clements from a one-match ban for Saturday’s visit of Hartlepool United. The club kept his suspension after five yellow cards under wraps at the start of the week and boss Murray has also decided he and his players won’t speak to the media ahead of this weekend’s clash at One Call Stadium when Stags will look to end a barren run of no goals and no wins in five games. Read more: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/mansfield-town-news/chris-clements-back-as-mansfield-aim-to-end-goal-drought-against-hartlepool-1-7580386#ixzz3s1QYEO4e Murray said after Tuesday’s 2-0 FA Cup exit at Oldham Athletic that he wanted his side to strike a balance this weekend between chasing that elusive goal and being organised, disciplined and hard to beat. He also stressed what an important week it was if they wanted to stay in the top six with two home games in four days and three games in eight days. Hartlepool boss Ronnie Moore is likely to select from the same squad which saw off Leyton Orient 3-1 last weekend. Billy Paynter will see a consultant on Friday regarding his Achilles problem but the striker is definitely ruled out of Saturday. Michael Duckworth came off during the second half of the Orient game with a calf problem but Moore hopes the full-back will recover in time to travel on Saturday. Jordan Richards played 90 minutes for the reserves on Tuesday afternoon after overcoming a back problem to put him in contention. United have just delved into the loan market to end a poor run, signing Kal Naismith and Mikael Mandron before the Orient clash last Friday, while Crystal Palace winger Jake Gray scored twice on his League debut and Middlesbrough defender Adam Jackson also made his league bow for Pools. ---------------- Keep it going, urges Hartlepool United boss Moore by Roy Kelly, Friday 20 November 2015 Ronnie Moore is looking for Hartlepool United to strike while the iron’s hot and make it three wins on the spin at Mansfield Town. Pools remain 19th in the League Two table and, on paper, have their work cut out against a Stags side in sixth spot (kick-off 3pm). Read more: http://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/hartlepool/keep-it-going-urges-hartlepool-united-boss-moore-1-7580756#ixzz3s1ZRaxnk But Pools head to Field Mill in good heart after a 3-1 win over Leyton Orient in front of the Sky Sports cameras last Sunday. The win moved them to within six points of Mansfield and victory tomorrow would close that gap still further. It kicks off what Moore describes as a vital week with a trip to Accrington to follow on Tuesday and a home date with third-placed Oxford next Saturday. “We shouldn’t fear anyone,” said Moore. “Yes, show them respect but let’s go and see what Mansfield are made of. “We’ve got to kick on now and look forward not back. “We have a crucial, crucial week and if we can come out the other side with the number of points we want then it puts us in a great position. “We are 10 points off the drop and six points off the play-offs, so let’s be positive and have a glass half-full and look towards the top end. “It shows how tight the league is.” Moore rates leaders Plymouth Argyle as the only stand-out side he’s seen so far this season and says the Pilgrims aside, everyone else is beatable. “I watched Plymouth at York and they are probably the best team I’ve seen, though I’ve not watched everyone,” Moore explained. “They looked decent and that’s why they are probably top of the league, they have quality - they will be there or thereabouts in the top three. “The rest? At this present time, anyone can beat anybody. “Mansfield is always a difficult place to go - they are sixth in the table. “That’s brilliant for the manager, Adam Murray. “Last season, Mansfield struggled a little bit but in his second season he has done a great job with them so it’s going to be a tough game.” If there is a good time to be visiting Field Mill, it could be now. While the Stags are sixth in the table, they have not scored in their last five matches, though two were in the FA Cup. “Mansfield had two games in the cup with Oldham,” said Moore. “But in the league they have been flying. “We know what to expect and know their strengths and weaknesses. “But I want us to go and show we can play and that we are a decent side. “If the new lads can play to the best of their abilities then we can be OK. “We have five of the top six to play in the next few weeks, but you have to play everyone at sometime and we are back in form now. “We aren’t Real Madrid, I’m not saying that, but we look solid and going forward we offer a threat now, which is good - we have pace and attacking midfielders in there.” ------------------ Ex-Sunderland defender Harrison set for return to Hartlepool United side at Mansfield by Roy Kelly, Friday 20 November 2015 Scott Harrison could be set for a return to the Hartlepool United starting XI tomorrow - at right-back. The former Sunderland centre-back is on stand-by to replace Michael Duckworth at Mansfield Town, if the unlucky Yorkshireman is ruled out. Duckworth was stretchered off 12 minutes from time in last weekend’s 3-1 win over Leyton Orient. Read more: http://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/hartlepool/ex-sunderland-defender-harrison-set-for-return-to-hartlepool-united-side-at-mansfield-1-7580755#ixzz3s1ZcgeDX It appeared a serious injury, initially, though boss Ronnie Moore said that it seemed to be a severe case of cramp in his calf. The 23-year-old, though, is a doubt for the visit to Field Mill, where he scored a vital equaliser in a 1-1 draw. The Pools manager will have no hesitation in picking Harrison at right-back tomorrow. Harrison played there in the closing stages of the win over the O’s and did not look out of place. Carl Magnay could play there, too, but given the stand-in skipper’s influence in midfield, Moore will not want to make any re-shuffles. Harrison, one of the leading performers this season, lost his centre-half spot after being sent off in the home defeat by Crawley. Loan signing Adam Jackson and the revitalised Matthew Bates have formed a very effective pairing at the heart of the defence over the last two weekends and will be together again tomorrow. Pools’ only definite absentee will be skipper Billy Paynter, who is struggling with an Achilles problem, which looks likely to rule him out for several weeks. Moore, though, moved quickly to replace him by bringing in, on loan, Sunderland’s Mikael Mandron, who will make his second start. “Billy will be a miss,” said Moore. “He is a miss because he’s a leader and he has seven goals, a big chunk of our goals. “On Sunday, we coped without him, but the sooner he is back the better. “With two wingers putting balls into the box then all of a sudden we have the excitement of wingers doing the right job. “Billy will be a big gutted he’s not going to be able to get on the end of crosses for a few weeks. “Everyone else will be fine - we won’t be far off the same squad and subs we had last weekend. “And let’s hope at the end of the week we are closer to the top seven than the bottom two.” ----------------- |
Latest | November 2015