FC Halifax Town v Woking: Opposition Focus

Here, Rob gives us the lowdown on The Cards ahead of their visit to The Shay on Saturday.


How have Woking been doing since they last played Halifax?
In short, good at home, not great away. The Cards had a dreadful run of form over Christmas that threatened to all but kill off their play-off hopes, but some terrific home wins during the winter as a whole over the likes of Bromley, Hartlepool and Yeovil have kept them there or thereabouts.

Do the squad and manager believe they will finish in the play-offs?
I think it’s hope rather than expectation at the minute. But with the team having got over the magic 50 point barrier that all but staves off the threat of relegation, their remaining league games are essentially 10 “free hits” as Alan Dowson told me yesterday

What shape do they go into the Halifax game in?
As good as they’ve been in a while, particularly with Jake Hyde coming back from injury and ex-England winger Matt Jarvis – who finally signed last week – likely to come into the starting XI

What are the team’s main strengths and weaknesses?
Robust defence which has looked more settled in recent weeks, and now there’s a good goal threat with Hyde, Jarvis and Tarpey up top. The trick now is being more clinical, as the team has left quite a few goals out there in recent weeks

What’s Woking’s style of play?
Woking tend to focus their attacking play down the wings, and away from home expect them to threaten through Loza on the break

Who will be your dangerman on Saturday?
Jarvis – still finding his fitness, but adds such quality in attacking areas

Any injuries/suspensions?
Godfrey Poku is likely out with a groin injury. Otherwise squad looks in good health

Likely line-up and formation?
4-3-3 – predicted lineup: Ross, Cook, Gerring, Diarra, Casey, Ferdinand, Kretzschmar, Dempsey, Loza, Hyde, Jarvis