Coops - we need pace

By Charlie Summerbell
January 3 2012

After eight successive home defeats, there was a warm welcome back to Victoria Park for returning boss Neale Cooper ... but in no time at all eight became nine as Hartlepool United slumped at home again. 

The fact that 17-year-old Luke James was one of a small handful vying for man of the match demonstrates what is wrong with the team at present – there is an alarming lack of confidence and character.

So after watching the 3-1 hammering at Sheffield United and a home 2-1 defeat at the hands of Scunthorpe, Cooper should know what is wrong and what is needed.

The question is, what does he plan to do about it?

He told the Northern Echo: “Overall the performance was second best, missing out on second balls in the middle of the park. The players should enjoy playing here in front of a big crowd.

“We lacked pace throughout and we looked vulnerable at the back. It was too easy for them to get balls into their strikers and we didn't do it.

“I apologise to our supporters for it, I didn't enjoy watching it.''

Sam Togwell gave Scunny a first-half lead, Garry Thompson scored a second after the break, and Andy Monkhouse’s late goal was too little and far too late to be anything more than a consolation they hardly deserved.

Cooper added: “It was very much second to everything, we nearly got there, nearly did something – not good enough and too slow.

“I've seen things to work on and we need pace. Add some of that to the team, great, but it's unfortunate James Poole is missing, Adam Boyd and James Brown are very similar.

“We have to be sharper, quicker in moving the ball. Why take four touches when you can take two?

“Whether there's a scariness about playing at home, I don't know, but that's not a good enough performance.

“We need pace. We are at home Saturday, and we need a vast improvement to that. It's fine going on and talking and planning, but if you aren't up to it, it's difficult. They need this monkey of their back. The ball is like a hot potato at times.

“You have to be big enough and we need a lot better from a lot of the boys and they know that themselves.''

It’s a test of character for Pools … at the moment, there’s little evidence they are up to it.