By Clarence Rode
February 8 2009

In being held to their second home draw on the trot and their third draw in four games, Hartlepool staged a vivid demonstration of why they are stuck in the middle of the League One table, just about keeping the relegation wolf from the door but struggling to show any sign of playing anything but a minor role in the competition for a play-off place.

Pools started badly and a better side than Walsall would have had the game won by half-time. But the visitors gift-wrapped two goals as Pools fought back to take the lead, only to throw two points away by conceding a late equalzier.
It was a poor reward for groundsman Dave Brown and his pals, who had worked since before dawn to get the pitch playable and to clear overnight snow from the terraces.
Caretaker boss Chrios Turner wasn't exactly angry after the game, but he certtainly wasn't pleased when he desacribed his squad as too nice and lacking the ability to kill a game off when they have got into a winning position.
The game left fans asking a string of question, not all of them new ones. Questions like:

Why can't keeper Arran Lee-Barrett hit the pitch with his kicks? It's big enough, but he must have put half a dozen kicks over the CK stand into Clarence Road. They should dock his wages for the lost balls.
Why hasn't Jamie McCunnie played all season at right-back? He's never let us down and did well carrying a knee injury against Walsall.
Why has Antony Sweeney not played in midfield all season? It is, after all, his position and he showed against Walsall that he can score goals there.
Why are we so nice? We've missed Willie Boland's bite in midfield, and while a lot of players have been booked - three more on Saturday - we are just too soft and don't boss other teams as much as we should. We missed Richie Jones on Saturday, but all our players have been brought up too well.
Why did we sign Liam Henderson? The lad is with us on loan for the rest of the season, but appears to be well down the pecking order. So why is he here?
What has happened to Gary Liddle? He is NOT the player he used to be.
How long can Joel Porter be expected to play on with his tendonitis? Even at below 100 per cent, he's still a threat to the opposition.
And, what about ALB's kicking? We've already asked, but it was so bad that we just have to ask again. How can a professional footballer miss a pitch so often?
When is the next Rune Lange coming? He looked the part, twice as good as KK (sent off on Sat), and if Turner is right when he says there are more like him in Norway, then let's get in amongst them. If we can find another Jan Ove P, we'll all be delighted.
Is Ian Butterfield going to be replaced as coach?

By the way, what about Lee-Barrett's kicking?