Assuming Bates and co. aren't going to field the same side with the same tactics as Robbin Dave and his Miserable Men on Saturday, what would you do?

Pools are so guano at defending down the middle of the pitch I'd go with 3 centre-backs in a 5-3-2.

Having Bates play in front of a back 4 is superficially attractive, but it's obvious he likes to have all the action in front of him when the other side have the ball, so I doubt he'd play himself in midfield. It's more likely he'll decide not to play at all.

Amond has got to have someone up front with him, so:

Fryer

Magnay, Walker, Bates, Harrison, Deverdics

Thomas Woods Hawkins

Oates Amond

Pity Richardson is still injured; I'd play him if fit just for a bit of pace. The ease with which Jamal-Ryce skinned Magnay and Bates was embarrassing - and the bloke is 34!

OH, and FFS leave Thomas up the field when Cheltenham take a corner.

Am intrigued to see what Bates goes with.

Chance to go in a bit of Poolie History if he can do this. From interviews etc I reckon he will try and make a mark and go with something different to the usual.

I think two up top will be a given. (Oates and Amond)

I suspect he will put Carson in goal.

Has Richards been recalled? If so I can imagine he will be right back and Magnay on the left where I think he played once or twice. Walker will surely not be in midfield again after the Barnet game.

I like the idea of 5-3-2 just not sure if were playing to Thomas' strengths with it and generally he was our match winner away from home before his injury.

Could be anything but I agree Featherstone could possibly be dropped even though I wouldnt do that myself.

If Richards been recalled if so why not? How can we go into a game like this with our real option at left being Nicky Deverdics?

I'd go

.................Fryer (Carson if fit)..............

Richards....Bates....Harrison.......Magnay

...............Woods....Featherstone..........

Allessandra..........Deverdics..........Thomas
..........................Amond........................

Just going to type that Paul. We NEED to win.

You've still got to find a balance we aren't good enough to be all out attack especially away from home. Just Featherstone in centre midfield leaves us wide open you have to get in possession of the ball and get a foothold in the game. If we're level with 20 minutes then maybe change to that.

I think it's a given that we are going two up top on Saturday and I think it'll be Oates and Amond.

I forgot about Hawkins I would start him ahead of either Featherstone or Woods hes also an option at full back for me, more energy to get up and down and will get more stuck in than Deverdics.

It's not that I have a problem with it's the rest of the team, we don't have wing backs and every time we have tried 4-4-2 the midfield is exposed for how weak it is.

We need to win but we can't get carried away we are away from home so first and foremost we have to be compact and hard to break down.

I'd definitely play Richards if he's bacl, with Magnay switching to the left. One thing Jordan definitely doesn't lack is heart, and Pools need all the heart they can get on the pitch.

That's why Featherstone isn't in my 11 - one of Pools' better footballers, but for the captain to vanish from sight in a situation like the Barnet game is unforgivable.

I'd play Featherstone and leave out Woods. Yeah he's been shocking lately but so have most of them but we've heard of the 'toxic' atmosphere from an ex player a line has been drawn in the sand for now. We've got to play to our strengths and get the ball down, pass it and keep possession if we get it into our heads that we have to scrap and lump it we will get beat as we just aren't that type of team.

We all know we need to win, totally agree, but with this squad of players, if we went gung-ho, we could get hammered. I'm with the PJ school of thought on this one, play it safe at first, as though going for the draw, then hope for a bit of luck and a breakaway goal , like at Cambridge. A draw may not be the end of the world but a defeat would be.

Carson

Magnay Bates Harrison

Allesandra Hawkins Featherstone Deverdics Thomas

Oates Amond

Carson ( only if 100% fit)

Richards Walker Harrison Magnay

Allassandra Woods Hawkins Thomas
Amond Oates ( In the middle not out wide)

Wouldn,t have Deverdics anywhere near the starting 11.

Blackford, Featherstone, Bates, Fryer, Rooney + whoever.

Got to win a draws no good.

Come on Pools!

I'm not even sure how anyone can even form a proper opinion of Deverdics when he's played everywhere but his actual position.

Whatever the System is i dont giv a fcuk if its
7-2-1 just as long as we win and hope we get a huge favour off Carlisle.

He,s weak, can,t tackle, can,t head the ball and that,s my opinion.

^ This!

Fixed it for you

The players should not only be determined to fight to keep us up but also to prove to Dave fucking Jones that he was holding them back.

I fully expect a lot of fight, energy and passion. Hopefully more than they have shown all season.

I reckon it will be a cracker.

How the fuck did you do that,are you stalking me?

Not fancy going?

Yes! Actually I do, are you up for it. It could be a shite day out or if we win a massive one.

Can't believe the way people are making out as if Richards is a saviour. He's being playing in the Conference North which is about his level. Must admit though there may be little option.

Yeah I was sick of hearing and reading about it to be honest so I've jumped on board if you can't beat them join them I say.I have set up Jordan Richards shrine in my front room and bought a Pools top with his squad number with 'White Cafu' on the back. The dejected Millhouse Pub was full of people after the Barnet game saying we'd have won 3-2 had he played.

Nobody has made that out we have little or no options. Cheers Gary Coxall.

give me an hour to try to offload kids

Bates starting eleven love it

Because he was Dave fucking Jones, been there, done it all, redesigned the way the t-shirts were made, sold millions, left the company in a much better state to when he joined it because everybody followed what he told them to do. That's why, you doubter.

I've got the worst appointment since Dave Jones tomorrow afternoon when I'm booked in for a vasectomy. Can't wait. What a marvellous weekend in prospect minor testical surgery and potential Pools relegation from the Football League. I will always remember in future what I was doing when Pools went out of the League, sat at home wearing wearing my 'scrotal support'.

I had one of them and it knacked for ages. Minor surgery? He treated my balls like they were clackers. cancel it quick and get yourself to Cheltenham instead PJ.

Moving swiftly on - Thomas and Allesandra both definitely play in an attack-minded side, according to Bates in today's Fail. From the sound of things he's not planning on playing himself.

Just seen the squad in Morrisons, Richards there, Oates is bigger up close and Rodney is built

Did they use the self service?

Rondey, Rooney and Magnay did, Oates and Richards went tills, Walker had his card declined as they only take hard earned cash!

Rondey!...Donnellee! FFS! Learn to spell.