I couldn't attend yesterday, like alot of people due to being away/busy on a bank holiday weekend - nothing related to the way Pools play.

So let's look at expected goals (xG) in Pools first 4 games. Expected goals increases with the amount of shots on goal, no shots = no expected goals.

You might have 10 shots in a match, but non on target and all from a long distance in which you can expect a defender to block or keeper to save. This would result in a low xG perhaps 0.2 for example.

If you end the game with 1xG you could expect your team to score 1 goal, 2xG could expect 2 goals and so forth. What can heavily influence this is the finishing ability of your team, or the defending and keeper saves of the opposition.

xG doesn't guarantee anything but is an important metric, especially when measured over time.

Now onto Pools

Yeovil 0-1 Pools (actual result)
Yeovil 0.73 - 1.22 Pools (xG)
Yeovil 62% - 38% Pools (possession)

Yeovil dominated possession but Pools had the best chances, in the world of probability it was more likely that Pools win this match based on xG

Interestingly Harvey Greenslades shot (from the error between Mani O and Dixon) contributed 0.45xG to Yeovils total, which was no surprise as it was a real sitter with the goal empty.

Pools were not fortunate over the full match, we deserved to score more goals than Yeovil.


Hartlepool 0 - 0 Southend (actual score)
Hartlepool 0.74 - 0.98 Southend (xG)
Hartlepool 37% - 63% Southend (possession)

This game not only were we dominated in possession but Southend also had a higher xG. However the sending off was a turning point, it was late chances for Southend that really increased their xG.

It felt like we were fortunate to hold onto a draw and the stats back that up. But we weren't battered, we managed to keep Southend just below 1.00xG despite having 10 men.

Tamworth 0 - 1 Hartlepool (actual score)
Tamworth 0.33 - 1.4 Hartlepool (xG)
Tamworth 52% - 48% Hartlepool (possession)

Possession fairly even but our best game for xG we had the better opportunities with Joe Grey converting. It was a poor game but one which we deserved to win based on the balance of goal scoring opportunities for both sides, despite Tamworths late flurry in which they hit the woodwork, they barely created anything else.

Hartlepool 1 - 1 Wealdstone
Detailed stats not yet available.


I have only been able to watch the highlights, but from those it would appear possession was in Wealdstone favour first half and Pools second, evening out of the 90.

Wealdstone didn't seem to create a great deal first half yet we created a few clear cut chances.

I could be wrong as the highlights may be biased, the detailed stats will be out later today I hope.

It will be interesting to see if the stats align to the total crap and end of world doomsday feeling that seems pretty universal between fans and also Sarll - that we were garbage.


Overall I would assess that based on xG each game has panned out as expected. We have the points we would have expected. We have NOT been lucky.

For xG for Wealdstone based on the limited highlights I'd expected Pools to yet again have a higher xG. Sheron, Mancini and Mani D x3 all had good chances.

For those that attended the game, what do you think?

I agree with all that and I thought yesterday's game was Wealdstone first half and Pools second half. Thanks for the information.

Off topic.
Bank rolled Chesterfield only got 3300 yesterday

Like I said last month the Football bubble is in bursting mode especially with this 2 tier crank in power for the next 5 years.
Creating mass poverty.

I hope our drop in numbers yesterday along with a lot of other clubs was simply bank holidays away etc I personally know of 5 regular attenders going away with the families.

barry davies came up with an interesting point the other day when interviewed about match of the day. when asked if he thought it would still be around in 50 years he replied yes if football is still with us. sky created the bubble but now are doing there best to burst it for people who have paid for its service and find they can watch 2 live game on a saturday saving them going out spending more and the present hassle of getting tickets and parking at many grounds. mind you clubs are not helping themselves with all this pre booking tickets at our level and for trophy games in the league where clubs can be lucky to scrape a 4 figure attendance.

Cheers for that Bosh.

If you want to watch the full match, Sign in to NLTV and the games are there to watch in full, Usually next day, Which of course today.

"Mass Poverty" was created by those who voted for the Labor( ) party.

A bit out there kev they got 8 k lol. But attendances do appear to be down, it wasnt the brightest moves pricing people out on season tickets because it doesnt look like fans are going to rock up and pay 22 quid.

Not having at least 1 POD turnstile is cutting your nose off to spite your face.
Basic stupidity in my book.

A couple of clubs have brought cash turnstiles back because of crowds being shit. Halifax being one. It is you just need one honest person on it.

even in the present financial climate they,d rock up and pay that amount if they were watching a winning side and being entertained at the same time. its only once a fortnight you have to find the money and there cannot be many around who cannot afford that. its all you need to watch the game and no body needs to use the food or drinks outlets or go anywhere near the club shop either.

football has been going on over 100 years by entering through a cash turnstile. surely there are people around who would never dream of robbing pools a penny never mind using the club as four wheels for the club and a couple for them.

If the club want to revert back to one cash turnstile per section of the ground and still try and stop the thieving, put the Juniors on the turnstile, reminding them any hanky panky will result in a possible ruination of their careers.
They could also use other trusted staff right up to board level.

BBC website report :crowd info .
Must of been changed

Cash will be dead in 10 years.
Card payment only.
Wonder how the drug dealers get round that!

Bit optimistic there Kevin, 10yrs.

click and collect.