Hartlepool United are back in action this weekend after a two-week hiatus following the postponement of their trip to Maidenhead during the week. However, head coach Kevin Phillips did not favour the extra rest days as he admitted he would have rather played in midweek.
A waterlogged pitch delayed Hartlepool’s meeting with Maidenhead as they looked to reconcile their form after back-to-back defeats in the league. Ahead of the game, the Pools boss said in his press conference that he would rather not miss multiple games, but heading into this weekend’s meeting with Southend, a two-week break could have given his squad the boost it needed.
Before the game against Maidenhead, Phillips ruled out his experienced defender Tom Parkes, who was forced off with a concussion in the first half of the 2-1 defeat to Barnet. However, he delivered the reassuring news that he would be available for the weekend.
Speaking in his press conference he said [quotes via Hartlepool Mail] :
“Unfortunately, we’ll be missing Parkesy tomorrow night,
“He’ll be fine for the weekend but it’s a precaution we have to take.”
With his concussion protocol period ending, the 32-year-old can return to the side without missing a game, handing Hartlepool United a huge boost for the weekend. Since joining in January, Parkes has proved to be a valuable asset at the back alongside Luke Waterfall, who also joined in the January window.
On top of his returning defender, Phillips’ squad could see the return of the talented youngster Anthony Mancini, who was back in training last weekend. His return to action was ruled out ahead of the postponed game against Maidenhead, though he could be in contention for the meeting with the Shrimpers this Saturday.
The boss speculated that an extra week of training could see the former Burnley player back in the side [quotes via Hartlepool Mail]:
“He needs another good week’s training, he needs to train like he’s playing in a match.
“It would be wrong of me to stick him in but hopefully he has a good week’s training and I’ll certainly consider him for the weekend, that’s for sure.”
The 22-year-old has only made 13 appearances for Pools since joining on a free transfer in the summer but displayed some impressive performances in the few games he had at the start of the campaign. The Frenchman has not been involved for United since their 2-1 victory over York City at the end of January.
Talisman Mani Dieseruvwe is set to venture on his first international call-up to England’s C-team and his confidence is higher than ever as he hopes to continue his prolific campaign with goals against Southend before meeting up with his England teammates.
Speaking to the Hartlepool Mail, the striker said: “It’s an honour to represent your country and to get the chance to play with some of the best players in the league.
“I was a bit surprised when I found out – but it was a good surprise.
“It’s a big boost and it’s something I can use to help me here with Hartlepool.
“I want to get some more goals before I go and, hopefully, I can score with England too.”
Dieseruvwe has shined under Phillips, bagging six goals in the eight games he has played since the arrival of the new manager. The former Sunderland striker’s impact on his frontman is clear and the 29-year-old has admitted that he is learning from him every day.
With two major boosts on the injury front and a striker in the best form of his career, Hartlepool will look to find a result against Southend this weekend to spark new form ahead of the season’s final stretch. However, a result will not come easy against a Southend side who are unbeaten in their last eight matches.
Southend currently sit 10th in the National League on 50 points, only two places ahead of the Pools, who are 12th with a game in hand over the Shrimpers. A victory over the Essex club will see Hartlepool United sit level on points with them, whilst retaining the benefit of having a game in hand.
The last time the two sides met was at the beginning of this year’s campaign, with the North-East side taking the points in a 3-2 win which was the Pools’ first win over Southend since 2010.
Hartlepool’s added rest against Southend’s extra sharpness will create an entertaining spectacle, though Phillips will hope his side’s added rest can put Southend’s unbeaten run to the sword.
Writer’s View
Hartlepool United have become a completely different side since Phillips took over halfway through this season. He’s taken them from a team sitting close to the drop zone to one that plays more exciting football and can comfortably compete with other National League regulars.
A longer period of rest is always beneficial to teams, especially this close to the run-in, so Hartlepool will have benefited from two weeks without a game, though it is understandable that Philips is frustrated that a game would be postponed as it will only cause congestion later on in the campaign. With Mani Dieseruvwe in some great form, Anthony Mancini close to returning and their January signings having a huge impact, it wouldn’t be outlandish to perhaps see Pools make a late push into the playoffs area.