Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
Leeds v. Hartlepool Preview
Leeds v. Hartlepool Preview
Tuesday, 23rd Sep 2008 14:02

Leeds will make a few changes for tonight’s Carling Cup tie with Hartlepool United, but Gary Mc.Allister has yet to announce what his line-up will be.

The boss told the Yorkshire Post "We've got a big squad and the fortunate thing with both the Carling Cup and the Johnstone's Paint Trophy is we've been able to get players on the fringes highly competitive games. There will be changes for Hartlepool but I have to stress that we won't be fielding an under-strength side. That's what we've always been searching for – real competition. It's not a case of people who aren't in the starting XI sulking. They appreciate the hard work that's being done by the guys who've been given the 11 shirts. They've got to show me, my staff and the Leeds United fans that if there's an injury, they're capable of coming in and playing a big part."

He didn’t go into any more details about his starting eleven, but the word is that Jermaine Beckford will be one of those rested, so Enoch Showumni will get another chance to dazzle us with his array of skills. Macca is also likely to give his two wingers a game and go with the alternative central defensive pairing of Lubo and Huntington, while also including Howson and Prutton in midfield.

To keep his options open he fielded a very young reserve side against Bradford last night, but one surprise is that Bradley Johnson played in that game, as he might have been another fringe player to get a run-out in the Carling Cup. The only certainty is that Sheehan will again be missing, as he serves the second match of his three game ban, and with Aidan White going off on Saturday with cramp, maybe Ben Parkers chance has finally come.

Despite all the changes, Mc.Allister feels that with a big squad the team he puts out will still be good enough to win the game, and he insists he is taking this competition seriously. He told the official site "It's a chance for one of us to get through to the last 16. I've said all along that cup runs are good for everyone, and we're looking to get through."

With all the really big clubs coming into the competition at this stage, we were hoping for a more glamorous tie, and it looks like the feeling is mutual. Andy Monkhouse, Hartlepool's Leeds-born winger, told his club’s official site "They're in our league so it's not like we're going to Manchester United. We're going to Elland Road, where a lot of the lads have played before. So we'll go there hoping to get a win. Let's have a look at the fourth round if we can."

And their boss Danny Wilson chipped in "We have nothing to lose really - we had nothing to lose against West Brom and we came out with a fantastic result and I'll be expecting the same. This is a great draw for us, I want to progress in this competition and if that means we have to go away to Leeds and win then that's fantastic. We've got nothing to fear. They're not unbeatable by any means - they're a team of very talented players but we've got that as well so we've plenty to look forward to."  

Hartlepool have no new injury problems, but they will still be missing midfield player Willie Boland, who is recovering from a medial ligament injury, but is still some way short of match fitness.   Meanwhile, defender Ben Clark has resumed training after recovering from a knee injury, but he is more likely to play for the Reserves at Huddersfield than take part in tonight's Carling Cup tie. Unlike our good selves, Hartlepool could go with an unchanged line-up and stick with the side who drew 3-3 with Oldham on Saturday.

Although the league has to be our priority, it would be good to get through to the last 16 and then test ourselves against Premiership opposition, and I think we’ve got enough strength in depth to do it. I tip Leeds to win 2-1.


Photo: Action Images



Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.


You need to login in order to post your comments

Colchester United Polls

About Us Contact Us Terms & Conditions Privacy Cookies Advertising
© FansNetwork 2024