Striker Robbie Simpson welcomes frontline competition

Feb 19 2010 by Dougie Thomson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

“He’s looked sharp from his first training session here, and he got off to a great start with a goal on his debut down at Yeovil.

“Nathan’s still waiting for his second, but I don’t think it will take him too long, because his pace and power make him a very dangerous player.”

Another player hoping his contribution in a reserve match has caught the eye ahead of tomorrow’s Victoria Park clash is James Brown.

The Hartlepool man’s return from a knee injury in Wednesday’s second-team clash with Scunthorpe was spectacular.

Introduced from the bench midway through the second half, the 23-year-old struck twice in his first three minutes on the pitch.

Hartlepool were 6-1 winners, and Brown, who has three goals at first-team level this season, is hoping his quickfire double can earn him an appearance against Town.

The North-Easterners have netted only 12 goals in the 13 matches Brown has missed, and coach Colin West says his composure in the penalty box has been missed.

“Without trying to put too much pressure on one person, which we don’t want to do, we’ve just missed that bit of flair,” said West.

“He gives you so much whether he plays on the right-hand side or straight up the middle. He gives you that versatility.

“I would say we’ve missed him to a great extent. We’ve been playing exceptionally well over the last four or five weeks but we just haven’t finished the chances we’ve had.

“It’s needing someone with a bit of calmness in front of goal to put the ball in the back of the net.”

While Town aim to stretch their unbeaten league run to eight matches, Hartlepool are seeking a first win in seven.