Pool wary of dark horses Town
Hartlepool manager Danny Wilson has prepared his side to defend English football's hottest streak at Gay Meadow this weekend by declaring: "Shrewsbury are the League's dark horses." Hartlepool manager Danny Wilson has prepared his side to defend English football's hottest streak at Gay Meadow this weekend by declaring: "Shrewsbury are the League's dark horses." The north-easteners will arrive in Shropshire on a club record run of nine consecutive League Two victories - the last eight of which have also yielded clean sheets. But Wilson, pictured, who carved out his managerial reputation by leading unfashionable Barnsley to the Premiership, insists nothing can be taken for granted on Saturday. "It's a very tough game and we are under no illusions about it," said Wilson. "You only have to look back to the game against Shrewsbury earlier in the season (when Town were 3-0 winners at Victoria Park) to realise that. Read the full story in the Shropshire Star
The north-easteners will arrive in Shropshire on a club record run of nine consecutive League Two victories - the last eight of which have also yielded clean sheets.
But Wilson, pictured, who carved out his managerial reputation by leading unfashionable Barnsley to the Premiership, insists nothing can be taken for granted on Saturday.
"It's a very tough game and we are under no illusions about it," said Wilson. "You only have to look back to the game against Shrewsbury earlier in the season (when Town were 3-0 winners at Victoria Park) to realise that.
"Confidence is very high at the moment but you can't take anything for granted.
"We have to treat Shrewsbury with the respect they deserve because Gary (Peters) has done a fantastic job. For me they are one of the dark horses of the League.
"They can be under-estimated by teams but I'm sure they have one eye on the play-off places, especially after their last couple of results."
Having been relegated from League One last season, Hartlepool's hopes of an immediate return appeared slim as they managed just 10 points from their first 10 games.
But Wilson has been delighted with the response of his players over the last two months."We are improving and if you can do that over the last few months of the season, it can put you in a strong position."
Peters has become close friends with his opposite number in recent years - but Wilson insists there will be little room for sentiment when they go head-to-head .
"There is always plenty of banter flying about and Gary and I are both old stagers. But I'm sure all the golfing memories will go out of the window come 3pm on Saturday."
Goalkeeper Ryan Esson made his comeback from a fractured cheekbone in last night's Pontins League Cup 3-1 defeat at Tranmere.
Esson's return - as well as the performance of Luke Jones - were highlighted by Peters as the plus points.
But, despite the defeat, Town have qualified for the knockout stages of a competition they won last season.
By James Garrison