Poolie fan and writer, Ben Painter takes a in-depth view of our opponent's tomorrow and shows us what the Palace faithful are thinking ahead of the game.
What do the Crystal Palace fans know about Hartlepool United?
Looking ahead to Pools’ away game at Selhurst Park to face Premier League side Crystal Palace in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup.
We asked some Eagles fans and journalists what they know about Hartlepool United, how they are finding life under Patrick Vieira and do they fancy themselves in the competition this season?
The two sides have not played each other often, with the last encounter being in 2004 in the League Cup, so it will be interesting to see what people associated with Crystal Palace have to say about Pools.
What do you know about Hartlepool United?
Dreamwaverider on Homlesdale.net a Crystal Palace forum said: “They come from a long way North. They are called the Monkey Hangers because their fishermen hung a monkey (or boy) from a French shipwreck during the Napoleonic war that was the sole survivor from the boat off their beaches. The fellah on Sky is a big fan of them.
“I am hoping we will be too good for them although I hope they help create a great atmosphere on the day. I heard they are bringing 4000!! Hats off to them if they do.”
Matt Woosman, Crystal Palace reporter for the Athletic said: “Although the circumstances were not exactly the same, Palace fans may well be able to relate to the difficulties Hartlepool have encountered in recent years. Both clubs avoided liquidation thanks, in part, to the dedication and passion of their supporters.”
“After the lows of recent seasons in dropping out of the Football League, Hartlepool appear to have something to be positive about, and a run to the FA Cup fourth round is a reminder of the competition’s allure, particularly for lower league sides. Presumably League Two survival will also be the aim for the club this season.
“There is history, of sorts, in this fixture. Perhaps Palace might like to take revenge for a soft penalty awarded to Nicky Southall and converted by Andy Saville in the third round at Victoria Park in January 1993 which earned the hosts a 1-0 victory…”
Chris123 on Homlesdale.net said: “Surprisingly nice beach at Seaton Carew to divert you from any footballing disappointments.”
Martin2412 on Homlesdale.net said: Don't know much about the Pools, but from what I've seen since we've drawn them, they look like a decent club (that's club, not necessarily team !) With passionate local supporters much like ourselves.
Est1905 on Homlesdale.net said: “I know you are known as the Monkey Hangers (for reasons mentioned already), One of your most famous managers was a very young Brian Clough. You are one of the oldest clubs in the World (though not as old as us!) I'd expect Hartlepool to put up solid and brave resistance for half an hour or maybe more but once we score the first the goals will flow.”
Doombar on Holmesdale.net said: “1. I think you were called Hartlepools Utd being a combination of Hartlepool and West Hartlepool.
“I can remember as a lad in the 1960s seeing your club's name at the bottom of the Division 4 ladder regularly until a certain B Clough came along and (I think it was the season after he left you) you got promoted to the dizzy heights of Division 3 much to many people's surprise.”
Palace fans seem to be knowledgeable about the club and don’t seem to be thinking the game will be a walkover for them. A nice amount of respect is being shown.
How are you finding life under Vieira?
Martin2412 on Holmesdale.net said: “Life's much better under Vieira. The football was utter dross under Hodgson. I don't think points-wise we're any better off, but we feel a lot happier.”
Rollercoaster on Holmesdale.net said: “Vieira is doing an excellent job given the transition we have embarked on. He is however relatively inexperienced and has made a few mistakes.”
Doombear on Holmesdale.net said: “Patrick Vieira has been a breath of fresh air. I like the way we now play and am hoping that PV will stay at least till the end of his current contract.”
Woosman said: “Life under Vieira has seen a marked change from previous seasons with Roy Hodgson. Palace are a much more entertaining team to watch, playing more progressive, high-intensity football.
“The plan is always to build out from the back and through the middle of the pitch, while using the determination of Jordan Ayew or skill of Michael Olise out wide, supported by Wilfried Zaha. It remains to be seen how strong Palace will line-up, but Vieira has insisted he will not take this fixture lightly.
“There are, however, still concerns around set-pieces and conceding late goals. Palace have struggled to score from set-pieces and have conceded one of the highest totals in the Premier League from them. That may prove Hartlepool’s best chance to score.”
Patrick Vieira has been a hit with the Eagles so far, he has notably changed their football style- playing more direct football and making use of the plethora of attacking talents they have under their disposal.
How do you fancy your chances in the FA Cup this year?
Woosman said: “Palace will be clear favourites for this fixture, but as 1993 demonstrated, it does not always go to plan. Vieira will need to ensure his players don’t underestimate the opposition and they will need to show respect to Hartlepool.
“But get through this as they are expected to, and considering many Premier League sides were drawn against each other in the fourth round, then excitement will naturally increase about the prospect of a continued cup run.”
Martin2412 on Homlesdale.net said: “I think the manager is going for it in the cup this year, so if we can avoid the likes of City, Chelsea and Liverpool I think we can get to the final again. If we do, we just hope to get a decent ref this time, as Clattenburg absolutely robbed us of victory in the last one, and we're due a bit of luck in the refereeing stakes.”
Sydtheeagle on Holmesdale.net said: “We have a team that on its day can beat anyone (Man City 0 Palace 2). b. We're prioritising the FA Cup this year as far as I can tell. That must help. c. Alan Pardew is no longer manager. That must help even more. d. The law of averages. We have to win something sometime, one day. 1860 was quite a long time ago. e. In a one-off match, we're not short of match-winners. On their day, Zaha, Gallagher, Eze, Olise, Edouard are all the sort of players who can get hot and turn a game.”
Doombear on Holmesdale.net said: “As one of the sides in the very first FA Cup and this being the 150th anniversary of the competition, I'm hoping we will get the luck of the draws to at least make the final again and hopefully do a Leicester. It's good when someone other than the usual suspects win one of the three major domestic trophies.”
Seem’s like a lot of Palace fans fancy their chances to do well in the competition this season, on paper they should win this game – Graeme Lee and the players will certainly have other ideas though. The FA Cup is a good opportunity for Palace to get some silverware this season and they will no doubt take this game on Saturday very seriously.