shannon2007

Well thats all I can do tbh, need to build a rep.

shannon2007

November/December 2005

The Nottm Forest board didnt want Clough back. It seems they had read the Challenge rules and expected him to go down the proper road. Morons.

The up and downs continued, defeat at Crewe by 2-1, a good 1-0 away win over Watford and then another loss to Fulham, this time in the League Cup 4th round to end that run. Another defeat, ironicallay enough at Nottingham, and it was reallty becoming a yo-yo season. At least though the defeats were narrow and so it seemed the squad wasnt that far away from making a push for the Premiership.

An excellent 1-0 win at Rotherham, was followed by a 3-0 drubbing of Sheffield Wednesday and then 1-0 win over Burnley. Pattern that seemed to be emerging was that when Tó was in the mood we would win, when he wasnt or was injured, we would lose. His sixteen goals in 18 league games kind of told the story on its own.

A no score draw with Portsmouth was followed by a 2-0 win over QPR that would prove to be the last win of 2005 for Hartlepool. Three sucessive defeats to end the season, including a 3-0 drubbing at Leeds after they too had turned down Clough's advances, and as we enter the new year the team lie in a reasonable 13th place. The season can still go either way really.

shannon2007

January/February 2006

Leeds became vacant near the start of January, as their poor form saw the board lose patience and of course Clough applied, but recieved another knockback. And then, near the middle of February, Bolton moved to appoint George Burley as manager, and the Derby job became available. Clough once more sent off his CV but once more he was unsuccessful. He would have to wait at Hartlepool for a while longer it seemed.

There was a bit of activity on the transfer market, as Wolves made bid worth £2.5M for Tó in mid January, which was reluctantly accepted and the player moved on. A few weeks later in early February, Blackburn made a £750k bid for Cristian and he too was off to pastures new. Those departures left the side short handed in attacking options and it was to Cyprus that Clough turned once more. 23 year old Giorgios Nicolaou arrived from Omonia for an £825k fee, whilst 22 year old Stathis Aloneftis came in also from Omonia for a slightly higher fee of £1M. The Hartlepool support, heartbroken at seeing their strikeforce depart, were not overjoyed at their replacements.

The year started on the pitch as the old one had ended, with a defeat. This time, in London to West Ham by 2-1. And it was to London the side returned for their FA Cup tie with Premiership leaders Arsenal. This would be Tó's last match as Hartlepool player before his move to Wolves and with just fourteen minutes gone he stunned the Highbury crowd as he sent his side into an early lead. Arsenal were struggling to find their feer, and by half time Hartlepool were still ahead. Order was finally restored though when Edu pulled the home side level on 54 minutes, but the expected Arsenal goal rush never came. Sixteen minutes from time, as the match looked to be heading to a replay, the Tó appeared to be held back in the Arsenal box and the referee immediately pointed to the spot. It was Tó himself who stepped up to blast the ball home and Hartlepool had pulled of the result of the tournament. Well, nearly. Walsall had gone to Old Trafford and beaten Manchester United.

The draw for the Fourth round would take Clough's side back to Premiership opposition in the shape of Bolton, and ironically enough this would Burley's first match in charge. Before that though, a 1-1 draw was the order of the day at home to Brighton, and then it was off to Bolton. There was to be no fairly tale today though as the Premiership side ran out 3-1 winners.

Defeats to Stoke and Sunderland were followed by goalless draws with Gillingham and Sheffield United. As the side was slipping and sliding away, Clough decided to switch back to the 4-3-2-1 that hasdnt been overly successful last season, and new signing Aloneftis grabbed his first goal in a very good 1-0 win at 3rd placed Blackburn. The win seemed to inspire Clough's men, and Andy Smith in particular was enjoying finally getting a run in the side as he hit a brace in the 4-0 win over Preston and another one in the 3-1 win over Plymouth.

With 12 matches left to play, Hartlepool find themselves in 13th place, twelve points adrift of a play-off spot and eleven points clear of relegation. A safe mid table spot looks a decent bet now.

enjikari

Still time to push for the play-offs surely?

Hard luck at not getting the Derby job. Or the Forest job. Or the Leeds job

shannon2007

I feel so unwanted At least Derby just got relegated serves then right

shannon2007

March/April/May 2006

Although was still an outside chance of another late surge to the play off, it simply wasnt going to happen. March started with a 1-0 loss at Hull, and the results continued to be mixed. We didnt put any sort of run together as we would win or lose a couple then lose or win a couple with some draws thrown in, and our final placing was to be a highly respectable 12th.

There was a little bit of transfer activity as keeper Koumas was stolen by Sheffield Wednesday for his minimum fee release clause of £170k and Alan Morgan went to Hull for £120k. Former Rangers keeper Graeme Smith, who had been signed in December from Southend would now get his chance and Liam Chilvers, who isnt very good came in from Colchester as a panick buy to cover left back. With Derby being relegated, it remains to be seen if they will sack their new man and come to their senses and appoint Clough.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | C | Fulham | | 46 | 33 | 7 | 6 | 95 | 35 | +60 | 106 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | P | West Ham | | 46 | 29 | 5 | 12 | 87 | 43 | +44 | 92 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | Pl | Reading | | 46 | 23 | 15 | 8 | 77 | 42 | +35 | 84 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | Pl | Stoke | | 46 | 22 | 17 | 7 | 61 | 40 | +21 | 83 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | Pl | Blackburn | | 46 | 21 | 10 | 15 | 68 | 56 | +12 | 73 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | Pl | Ipswich | | 46 | 20 | 12 | 14 | 76 | 65 | +11 | 72 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Portsmouth | | 46 | 20 | 12 | 14 | 67 | 58 | +9 | 72 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Q.P.R. | | 46 | 18 | 16 | 12 | 58 | 51 | +7 | 70 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Leeds | | 46 | 18 | 13 | 15 | 58 | 48 | +10 | 67 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Watford | | 46 | 18 | 10 | 18 | 69 | 64 | +5 | 64 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11th | | Sheff Utd | | 46 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 53 | 51 | +2 | 64 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12th | | Hartlepool | | 46 | 17 | 10 | 19 | 62 | 51 | +11 | 61 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 13th | | Rotherham | | 46 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 46 | 52 | -6 | 58 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 14th | | Hull | | 46 | 13 | 19 | 14 | 48 | 59 | -11 | 58 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 15th | | Nottm Forest | | 46 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 49 | 52 | -3 | 57 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 16th | | Plymouth | | 46 | 14 | 14 | 18 | 46 | 60 | -14 | 56 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 17th | | Burnley | | 46 | 11 | 18 | 17 | 53 | 67 | -14 | 51 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 18th | | Sunderland | | 46 | 13 | 11 | 22 | 46 | 75 | -29 | 50 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 19th | | Brighton | | 46 | 12 | 13 | 21 | 56 | 81 | -25 | 49 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 20th | | Gillingham | | 46 | 10 | 16 | 20 | 43 | 60 | -17 | 46 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 21st | | Sheff Wed | | 46 | 11 | 12 | 23 | 47 | 65 | -18 | 45 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 22nd | R | Crewe | | 46 | 10 | 13 | 23 | 55 | 80 | -25 | 43 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 23rd | R | Derby | | 46 | 8 | 15 | 23 | 48 | 80 | -32 | 39 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 24th | R | Preston | | 46 | 7 | 16 | 23 | 51 | 84 | -33 | 37 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

Mike..

Unlucky on the jobs front there, I have to say that Derby look about to be relegated in my game but the manager is listed as 'safe'

shannon2007

The Derby expectations must be low then, I thought they'd expect to go up really. If the new guy doesnt get sacked soon I'm stuffed really.

shannon2007

The Squad 2006-2007

More transfer activity in the summer as Clough looked to secure a squad that could gain the side promotion to the Premiership. With a decent transfer budget of £2.4M the ageing legend set about picking up out of contract and transfer listed bargains and was able to secure one or two exciting players.

Three players left the club as Giorgos Georgiou went to Millwall for £170k, Michael Nelson went to Doncaster for £35,000 and Adam Boyd departed to Coventry for £65,000.

The Keepers

Graeme Smith, 23 year old former Scots U-21 international had arrived quietly in December and towards the end of the season he was the first choice keeper. His place though will be under threat by the arrival of 21 year old Paul Harrison from Liverpool for a fee of £220,000. The youngster looks to be a great prospect, even if the Premiership club had transfer listed him. Irishman Barry Roche (24) also remains at the club as the third choice.

The Defensive Line

29 year old Mark McGregor did a decent enough job at right back last season, with 22 year old Joel Kitamirike proving an adequate back up. The arrival in the summer though of 24 year old Nothern Ireland international Chris Baird, picked up out of contract, put a lot of pressure on the other two and Baird is almost certain to start as first choice.

At left back, 31 year old Scot Hugh Robertson had another decent enough season, with late season signing Liam Chilvers (24) failing to get a look in. Clough though was always looking to improve this position and the arrival of 22 year old Adam Green at £400,000 from Fulham has gone down well with the Hartlepool squad.

The centre of defence is possibly the weakest area of the team. 32 year old Ian Pearce has been outstanding its true, but finding a partner was not easy. Chris Westwood (29), Matthew Clark (25) or Simon Downer (24), although competant enough players have failed to really stand out. The acquisitions of 20 year old Mark Jones from Charlton for £190k and 22 year old Portuguese U-21 international Nuno Morais from Chelsea for £130k should certainly improve this area of the team and both these players are also capable of playing in midfield if required.

The Middle of the Park

The midfield five, since Clough switched back to his 4-3-2-1 is possibly the strongest area of the side. Marinos Satsias (30) had an excellent season and most of the other midfielders could also say the same. Steve Adams (25), Daniel Fox (20), Kyriakos Koursaros (27), Gavin Strachan (27), Richard Imbernon Rios (31) the Hartlepool fans player of the year, Mike Flynn (25), and Tom Williamson (21) have all played well enough when selected, but even so Clough could no resist some of the players who became available to him in the summer.

Jonathan Greening (27), former England under 21 international arrived from West Brom for £800,000. Youngster Kieran Richardson (21) from Manchester United for £525,000. And the capture of the summer, 23 year old Rohan Rickets who had left Tottenham on a bosman. All three players are highly talented and the Hartlepool fans have been left drooling at the prospect.

Attacking People

With only one actual striking place, there is a fair competition. New signing, Scot Tom McManus (25), picked up on a free and Stathis Aloneftis (23) at least have the advantage of being able to play from deep in the midfield, although competition there being so fierce that isnt much of a comfort. Andy Smith (25) finally started to make a bit of an impression towards the end of last season, but Giorgos Nicolaou (24) has so far been a bit of a flop.

shannon2007

July/August/September 2006

With the quality brought in over the summer, a lot was expected of the Hartlepool side. The preseason games would be an early indication of whether that expectation was valid, and there were mixed results. 0-0 draws with Nantes and Stockport, comfortable wins over Kingstonian and Southend. Not really a lot was revealed then from those matches.

The first couple of months of the season though were to go well, with ex Hibs man Tom McManus playing integral role and indeed he was to win the September Player of the Month. Along woth Kieran Richardson picking up the young player award also in September, it was the first such awards since Clough had taken over. Only two defeats in the League, at West Brom and Nottm Forest saw Hartlepool sit 3rd at the end of September with a game in hand.

The 3rd round of the League Cup was reached thanks to a penalty shoot put win over Leeds, Clough's men having come back from 2-0 down, and then an easy 4-1 triumph over Scunthorpe to set up a 3rd round meeting with Hull. Its been a good start, and if the form continues, the Premiership beckons.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | West Brom | | 11 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 23 | 3 | +20 | 26 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Wolves | | 11 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 20 | 7 | +13 | 24 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Hartlepool | | 10 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 22 | 8 | +14 | 22 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Q.P.R. | | 11 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 18 | 9 | +9 | 21 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Hull | | 11 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 15 | 8 | +7 | 20 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Sheff Wed | | 10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 13 | 6 | +7 | 20 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Portsmouth | | 11 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 17 | 12 | +5 | 20 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Leeds | | 11 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 17 | 12 | +5 | 18 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Sheff Utd | | 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 7 | +3 | 18 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Blackburn | | 11 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 17 | 11 | +6 | 16 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11th | | Plymouth | | 11 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 17 | 11 | +6 | 16 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12th | | Stoke | | 11 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 13 | 14 | -1 | 16 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 13th | | Sunderland | | 11 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 10 | 11 | -1 | 16 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 14th | | Nottm Forest | | 11 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 17 | 15 | +2 | 14 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 15th | | Ipswich | | 11 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 15 | 20 | -5 | 14 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 16th | | Rotherham | | 11 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 9 | 15 | -6 | 12 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 17th | | Crystal Palace | | 11 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 14 | -6 | 11 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 18th | | Gillingham | | 11 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 10 | 21 | -11 | 11 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 19th | | Brighton | | 11 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 13 | 24 | -11 | 10 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 20th | | Watford | | 11 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 12 | 21 | -9 | 9 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 21st | | Millwall | | 11 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 13 | 21 | -8 | 8 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 22nd | | Cardiff | | 11 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 18 | -9 | 8 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 23rd | | Burnley | | 11 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 8 | 19 | -11 | 8 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 24th | | Port Vale | | 11 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 4 | 23 | -19 | 5 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>