Hartlepool Utd vs Exeter City Matchday Thread

[grecIAN Harris]

First half was quite end to end and not the domination radio Devon described, couldn’t believe some of the nonsense they were coming out with and stats back me up

We have performed very well with the formation we have and are keeping goals conceded to a minimum yet still look dangerous going forward. Be mad to change it.

But then there are lies, damn lies and statistics.

 

[John William]

We have performed very well with the formation we have and are keeping goals conceded to a minimum yet still look dangerous going forward. Be mad to change it.

I get that, and am not unhappy especially after our smash and grab raid on Sutton last Saturday, that's what you need to do to get promoted. I'd rather be lucky than good any day.

But regardless of formation we do need at some stage to start turning draws into wins; preferably starting at home to Walsall next Saturday. "It's only September", but the final table doesn't care when the games are played, only how many point you have.

The Vegans are top because they have won 6 and only drawn 2. We are 6th because we have drawn 5 games.

 

[Grecian Max]

But then there are lies, damn lies and statistics.

Meh, I watched the game.

City weren't at their best but Hartlepool are a good side with an extra edge that Sutton lacked, often happens with the National League winners and play off winners weirdly. As I say, RD would have any listener believe at half time that we were dominated, this really wasn't the case. Obviously in most games you'd expect the home side to have a go, and they did but we defended excellently. The corners they had in the first half caused no issue and, Ray who started with a few wobbles ended up leading us through that game. Big shame Jay didn't pass to Caprice in the box and turn and shoot instead... I said at the time with Caprice's record I don't blame him, but surely that run of 0 goals has to come to end this year. He was so close with that shot second half.

Caprice played well again - I have no problem him cutting inside as it offers a differently threat to deal with from our wingbacks. He has been excellent this season and I really disagree with the criticism he's been receiving. It isn't the 90s with a flat 442, we can try different things. The results are clearly working defensively as we are much more sound there than last year, bar the Orient debacle.

Dawson pretty much imperious again. This was first game I've seen Brown tire, perhaps could do with a rest. Nombe did well, such a shame he didn't finish that move where he put it over as it was great build up play.

Second half both teams cancelled each other out. It was played a frenetic pace in the first half, end to end, almost a cup tie... second half both teams had been told to tighten up, which they duly did.

Was a good 1-1, could have snatched it, probably had the better chances really but a fair one. Unbeaten run continues and I'm beginning to feel more comfortable with the formation as it is, with our current set of players.

 

[Grecian Max]

I get that, and am not unhappy especially after our smash and grab raid on Sutton last Saturday, that's what you need to do to get promoted. I'd rather be lucky than good any day.

But regardless of formation we do need at some stage to start turning draws into wins; preferably starting at home to Walsall next Saturday. "It's only September", but the final table doesn't care when the games are played, only how many point you have.

The Vegans are top because they have won 6 and only drawn 2. We are 6th because we have drawn 5 games.

Early doors though. From the performances I've seen we are on the right track and hard to beat. Yes wins means more points but so does consistency and not losing silly games. We are 6 points away from FGR currently but I think we will catch up closer to them in time. They were the best side I've seen this year.

 

[Pobbop]

I get that, and am not unhappy especially after our smash and grab raid on Sutton last Saturday, that's what you need to do to get promoted. I'd rather be lucky than good any day.

But regardless of formation we do need at some stage to start turning draws into wins; preferably starting at home to Walsall next Saturday. "It's only September", but the final table doesn't care when the games are played, only how many point you have.

The Vegans are top because they have won 6 and only drawn 2. We are 6th because we have drawn 5 games.

We've picked up more points in our last 5 games than the Vegans, we are trending up ATM, after a rocky start.

 

[Grecian Max]

Regarding the draws...

1-1 Bradford was fair in a cagey match, would have been 3 if Nigel wore boots half a size up
0-0 Barrow not the best
1-1 Harrogate, deffo a win if not for that red card
0-0 FGR, fair if not slightly fortunate for us and 1-1 yesterday also a fair result

Slight changes in situation and not quality v Bradford and Harrogate and its a different outcome, I don't think the performances are far off. Indeed the last 3 have seen 7 goals, 1 conceeded and 7 points.... there's a time to critique the set up etc but not atm, we're doing well!

 

[grecIAN Harris]

Meh, I watched the game.

City weren't at their best but Hartlepool are a good side with an extra edge that Sutton lacked, often happens with the National League winners and play off winners weirdly. As I say, RD would have any listener believe at half time that we were dominated, this really wasn't the case. Obviously in most games you'd expect the home side to have a go, and they did but we defended excellently. The corners they had in the first half caused no issue and, Ray who started with a few wobbles ended up leading us through that game. Big shame Jay didn't pass to Caprice in the box and turn and shoot instead... I said at the time with Caprice's record I don't blame him, but surely that run of 0 goals has to come to end this year. He was so close with that shot second half.

Caprice played well again - I have no problem him cutting inside as it offers a differently threat to deal with from our wingbacks. He has been excellent this season and I really disagree with the criticism he's been receiving. It isn't the 90s with a flat 442, we can try different things. The results are clearly working defensively as we are much more sound there than last year, bar the Orient debacle.

Dawson pretty much imperious again. This was first game I've seen Brown tire, perhaps could do with a rest. Nombe did well, such a shame he didn't finish that move where he put it over as it was great build up play.

Second half both teams cancelled each other out. It was played a frenetic pace in the first half, end to end, almost a cup tie... second half both teams had been told to tighten up, which they duly did.

Was a good 1-1, could have snatched it, probably had the better chances really but a fair one. Unbeaten run continues and I'm beginning to feel more comfortable with the formation as it is, with our current set of players.

I was a way in London so didn't follow the game at all other than a quick scan at half and full time to find out the results. The stats that I saw on the Beeb certainly suggested it was an even contest with Hartlepool only ahead on corners.

 

[SEA Grecian]

I get that, and am not unhappy especially after our smash and grab raid on Sutton last Saturday, that's what you need to do to get promoted. I'd rather be lucky than good any day.

But regardless of formation we do need at some stage to start turning draws into wins; preferably starting at home to Walsall next Saturday. "It's only September", but the final table doesn't care when the games are played, only how many point you have.

The Vegans are top because they have won 6 and only drawn 2. We are 6th because we have drawn 5 games.

The alternative argument is that Forest Green are top because they have played fewer of the teams near the top of the table than we have.

 

[SEA Grecian]

First half was quite end to end and not the domination radio Devon described, couldn’t believe some of the nonsense they were coming out with and stats back me up

We have performed very well with the formation we have and are keeping goals conceded to a minimum yet still look dangerous going forward. Be mad to change it.

Apart from the complete inability to identify our players, I thought the Radio Devon commentary gave a pretty accurate description of the match. For the first half an hour Hartlepool dominated the ball without creating a huge amount; we then finished the half strongly before the second half turned into a stalemate. I'm not a huge fan of xg but these diagrams do give an idea of when shots occured and back up my impression of the match.

 

[Stormin Norman]

Happy with that. Yes, we're the league's draw specialists, but one has been against the leaders, and another 2 have been away to current top 7 sides. Also notched off another of those long, tough away trips. The team is likely to improve, so hopefully there's no more monkey business - it'll be onwards & up!