Coops - frustrated

By Charlie Summerbell
April 9 2012

You only have to look at the League One table to see what has held Hartlepool United back this season - with only 18 goals in their 21 home games, even bottom club Rochdale have scored more on their own turf.

In fact, no League One team has scored less at home, and from the Prem down to League Two, only four have done so. With only two goals in their last 12 hours of football, it’s not surprising the latest Victoria Park game was a goalless draw against play-off outsiders Brentford.

In fact, if Pools didn’t have such a rubbish home record – ten defeats, six draws and only five wins – they could be on the fringe themselves, but they’ll never be any better than also-rans if they continue to be so weak in front of goal.

There were high hopes that on-loan Ryan Noble might help them turn the corner, but he has only scored one since he arrived from Sunderland.

The blank game against Brentford was typical of this season – Pools might have won, but didn’t put the visitors under enough pressure. They thought they had a breakthrough midway through the second half when lively sub Luke James sent on a long-range shot that was deflected into the net via a defender, but Nobel was flagged offside.

But the visitors might have won it themselves, too, so there can be no complaints from either side about the result.

With Peter Hartley back from suspension in place of young Jack Baldwin in defence, there are those who felt Neale Cooper should have left the teenager in the team, but he is still developing and well though he played in the draw at Colchester, like James he needs time and patience.

The goal drought it frustrating Pools and their supporters, and it appears Cooper is depending on soilving the problem in the summer.

If he doesn’t, 2012-13 will be just as frustrating as 2011-12.