Ritchie is wary of Wilson’s charges

Mar 11 2008 by Dougie Thomson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

TOWN boss Andy Ritchie is looking forward to pitting his wits against old mate Danny Wilson tonight.

The pair are both former Barnsley managers, but their acquaintance goes back to their playing days.

Having also bossed Bristol City, Sheffield Wednesday and MK Dons, Wilson took over at Hartlepool in the 2006 close-season.

They had just been relegated from League I, but Wilson led them back at the first attempt last time around.

Their current tally of 46 points is the same as Town, who have a game in hand but are a place below in 15th because of an inferior goal difference (minus 14 to plus three).

Ritchie got the better of Wilson at the Galpharm in November, when his side won 2-0 through Danny Cadamarteri and Luke Beckett.

But the Town chief knows his side will have to battle to chalk up a fourth double of the campaign (after Bournemouth, Millwall and Yeovil).

“Danny did a great job in getting Hartlepool straight back up,” said Ritchie.

“Like ourselves, they have been inconsistent this season, but he’s got a well-organised side who are capable of troubling anyone on their day.

“We haven’t given up on making the play-offs, and they won’t have either, so we’ll have to be tuned in.”