Hartlepool v Posh Preview

This Saturday Posh take the long road north to take on Hartlepool United.

It`s a fixture that, if we win, will see Posh hang onto that second automatic promotion place. However, if it is a Posh win, for a few moments we`re bound to become public enemy number one for a certain Hartlepool supporting Soccer Saturday icon, Jeff Stelling.

After our recent midweek triumph at Brisbane Road, there could be a case for keeping a settled side but Darren Ferguson, after the game, openly admitted that it was a poor second half performance and that Posh were hanging on in the second half and were fortunate that a late effort was saved by a combination of keeper and post.

It`s difficult to predict exactly what changes Darren will implement but there`s a degree of certainty that Gabriel Zakuani, fresh from become father, will resume a role at the heart of the defence. Whether he`ll be partnered by Charlie Lee, Chris Westwood or Shane Blackett remains to be seen.

Up front, Darren took the surprise decision to leave out our leading scorer, Craig Mackail-Smith, and the rumour mill is suggesting his replacement, Sergio Torres, could hang onto his place with Mackail-Smith having to be content with a place on the bench again.

As for our hosts, Chris Turner will be hoping that his on loan forward, Lewis Guy passes a late fitness test although one of Jeff Stellings` favourites, Joel Porter, looks likely to miss the fixture with a groin problem.

So what about predicting a result? My heart tells me it is going to be a Posh win but my head isn`t so sure. The biting wind off of the North Sea that sweeps across the Victoria Ground can be a real downer. Cheered on by Jeff Stelling, the home side, who quite often fall behind before making dramatic comebacks, will be strong opposition. But, what the heck, fortune always favours the brave so I`ll go for an away win by the odd goal in three.

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