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Last Updated: Friday, 25 May 2007, 10:09 GMT 11:09 UK
League Two play-off final preview
By Hartlepool boss Danny Wilson

Andrew Cooke and Craig Disley
Wilson has picked out Cooke and Disley as the danger men
Only one point separated Bristol Rovers and Shrewsbury in the League Two table at the end of the season - so there really is little to choose between the teams.

And they are quite similar in their set-up - both sides are founded on a very, very solid back four and are also extremely disciplined.

When my team Hartlepool played Shrewsbury we found them a very tough nut to crack. We did not get much joy from our two games with them in the league.

They came to our place, beat us 3-0, and scored all their goals from set plays. And that is where they are really strong.

Shrewsbury are very organised and they have a big, imposing front line.

Depending on availability, they may go for Michael Symes and Andrew Cooke in attack.

Or Leo Fortune-West could partner Cooke. And there's also Derek Asamoah, who has plenty of pace.

It will make for an intriguing battle as Bristol Rovers are strong at the back, with centre-backs Steve Elliot and Byron Anthony forming a good partnership.

If Shrewsbury can produce the kind of defensive excellence which saw hold out against MK Dons in the semi-final, I think they may just edge it

Hartlepool boss Danny Wilson

And Rovers will also be strong in attack as Rickie Lambert and Richard Walker are on fire at the moment.

In midfield Bristol Rovers might have the edge. Craig Disley is a very, very good player. He runs from box to box, has a terrific engine and can score goals so he has to be a real threat.

However, I do think the teams are evenly matched, and on the day it will be the team which does not freeze and is able to the challenge that will win the game.

The players will have to put aside their fears of losing and try to enjoy the occasion. Whoever can do that successfully will be able to produce the better performance.

It can be hard to approach the game with freedom as all the players will be aware how close they are to promotion and they will be desperate to win.

I've been in the final twice before, myself, and it's not the nicest feeling in the world if you get beaten, that's for sure.

606: DEBATE

It is essential that players handle their nerves and harness their energy so they are able to go out and express themselves fully.

I feel it will a tight game and it is really difficult to predict which way it will go.

But if Shrewsbury can produce the kind of defensive excellence which saw hold out against MK Dons in the semi-final, I think they may just edge it.

  • Interview by Ian Hughes


    News image
    Coca-Cola Football League Two Table
    01 February 2010 21:44
      PGDPTS
    1Rochdale283256
    2Bournemouth27349
    3Bury27348

    4Rotherham241345
    5Notts County243143
    6Shrewsbury28542
    7Chesterfield27442

    8Aldershot261041
    9Dag & Red26540
    10Accrington Stanley24439
    11Morecambe27538
    12Port Vale26537
    13Northampton28137
    14Burton Albion27037
    15Crewe27-134
    16Bradford26-533
    17Macclesfield25-729
    18Barnet27-929
    19Lincoln City25-1328
    20Torquay27-426
    21Hereford25-926
    22Cheltenham26-1425

    23Grimsby27-2120
    24Darlington24-3811
    News image



    SEE ALSO
    Bristol Rovers v Shrewsbury
    24 May 07 |  League Two
    More Wembley tickets for Rovers
    23 May 07 |  Bristol/Somerset
    Lincoln City 3-5 Bristol Rovers
    17 May 07 |  League Two
    Shrews star is ruled out of final
    24 May 07 |  Shrewsbury
    Edwards left out of Wembley squad
    23 May 07 |  Shrewsbury
    MK Dons 1-2 Shrewsbury
    18 May 07 |  League Two


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