Halifax v Hartlepool United: The inside track on the Shaymen as Pools look to bounce back from Aldershot slip-up

Hartlepool suffered a crushing defeat at the weekend when throwing away their one-goal advantage in just 43-seconds at the EBB Stadium – their eighth defeat of the National League season.

It was a result which saw John Askey’s side slide down the table into 11th place ahead of a trip to West Yorkshire to take on the side who replaced them in the play-off places in FC Halifax Town.

The Shaymen have won their last three in the league, including the weekend success over Kidderminster.

But what can Pools expect from Halifax this evening? We caught up with Tom Scargill of The Halifax Courier for the inside track on Chris Millington’s side.

How are Halifax faring this season in relation to their pre-season expectations?

They’re probably ahead of schedule I'd say. I think most fans would have taken being where they are at this stage of the season.

Yes, some of the football hasn't been the best to watch, and their home form has left a lot to be desired, but there can't be too many complaints about the league position, especially comparing it to the disastrous start to last season when they were bottom at the start of October.

How have Halifax coped without Mani Dieseruvwe?

I'd say they have missed a striker like him – someone with a physical presence, someone who can keep hold of the ball and bring others into play and, as he's proving at Hartlepool, someone who can score goals at this level.

I think if you asked most Town fans whether they'd have him back, they'd snap your hand off. Most of the rest of Halifax's game has been fine, but it's goals where they've struggled the most.

What can Pools expect from Halifax on Tuesday in terms of set-up and style of play?

They had been playing with a back three away from home and a back four at home in recent games, but they switched to a back three again on Saturday after the back four struggled to really work.

They played more of a two up top rather than the two number tens and one central striker that they've used pretty much all season, and half the season before when playing a back three. I'd expect there to be minimal changes from Saturday, if any to be honest.

Flo Hoti, who operated in the number ten role, had probably his poorest game so far for the club, but he came off well before the end so hopefully we'll see a different player on Tuesday as he has got the ability to influence games when he's on form.

Town will look to get the ball to him, but also try to get their wing-backs on it high up the pitch and that's where both of their goals came from on Saturday.

Who are the dangermen for Pools to watch out for?

Milli Alli is the obvious answer – he scored two on Saturday, both of which he took well.

Both were set-up by left wing-back Ryan Galvin's crosses so he will have to be monitored closely. As I say, Hoti can create things and execute passes well too.

What sort of game are you expecting?

There's usually a decent amount of goals when these two teams play each other, so hopefully that's the case again.

Despite being dumped out of the FA Cup, Town have won three on the bounce in the league so if I were to pick anyone to win, I'd probably say Halifax might sneak it 2-1.