Source: Northern_Echo
Liddle back with a bang
AFTER three games out Gary Liddle returned to the Hartlepool United side refreshed and back to form last weekend.[LNB] The central defender was forced out with a groin injury, but he returned to the heart of defence for last weekend's win at Orient in style.[LNB] He followed up that man-of-the- match performance with another on Monday as Pools made it back-to-back wins with victory over Brighton.[LNB] Now, with successive games to come against the bottom two in League One, Pools have a great opportunity to secure their place in the division for next season.[LNB] And, with Liddle and Sam Collins back in tandem at the back, the former admits his mini-break has done him good.[LNB] I've been out three games and was itching to get back in,'' he said. My groin wasn't perfect, but I'm sure I will be with a bit of treatment.[LNB] I've had three games out and it could freshen things up a bit for me. It gave me the chance to sit and watch things and see some things from the stands and a different perspective, to see how things actually are and I was itching to get back in.[LNB] We go to Wycombe next weekend and it's similar situation to Orient hopefully the weekend we have had brings us confidence and the performance at Orient reminded me of how we started the season. Now we need as many away wins as possible.'' Liddle notched twice in the win at Orient, and goals have been rare since he started his time at Victoria Park with a scoring flurry.[LNB] Three goals in two games in September 2006 gave the impression he would bring goals to the side but since then he's moved from midfield to central defence and Saturday's haul took his total for the season to just three.[LNB] It was at Peterborough in my first season since I scored two,'' he recalled. I was delighted to get my head on them on Saturday.[LNB] I scored a few when I first signed, I think I was called a goalscoring midfielder then maybe I'll be known as a goalscoring defender now![LNB] But the lads at the back and in midfield have to chip in and help the strikers out.''[LNB] Peterborough have confirmed the appointment of Gary Johnson as their new manager. Johnson, sacked by Bristol City last month, will replace Jim Gannon at London Road.[LNB]
