Murray

By Charlie Summerbell
September 5 2012

Just one simple question for Neale Cooper - if Paul Murray is a 100 per cent, whole-hearted, born winner, why wasn't he playing for Hartlepool United from the start of the season insrtead of having to wait for his chance?

Cooper quite rightly picked Murray for last weekend’s home win over Scunthorpe after being frustrated by his team’s unimpressive start to the season, and has – again, quite rightly – praised Murray for his contribution.

Pools won comfortably enough, but it was never impressive against the early-season strugglers. The important thing was that they won.

The real test now is whether Pools can build on that result at the Vic on Saturday by beating Carlisle, who have made a shakier start than many expected.

Murray, who hails from Carlisle, was man of the match against Scunny and it’s reported that Cooper has charged him with the job of leading Pools out of their early-season poor form.

Cooper told the Mail: “Paul’s attitude has been spot on. He was superb on Saturday.

“On the pitch he talks and he issues the orders, but backs it up with his game as well.

“He shows composure, aggression – he’s not the biggest or quickest – and gets the ball down. He’s a born winner and the sort of boy you can rely on.

“You will always get your lot from Paul Murray.”

Carlisle will surely provide a sterner test than Scunthorpe did, but Pools need to grow into a winning mindset, and Murray could be the man to guide them there.

But there is another question … when is Steve Howard going to break his duck? Like Murray, he is a veteran now, but he just can’t seem to convert chances … he even had his penalty saved against Scunny.

Perhaps things will go right against Carlisle.