Hughes - sent off

By Charlie Summerbell
March 18 2013

Despite defeat at Coventry at the weekend, Hartlepool United still believe they have a chance of staying in League One this season - but Tuesday night's rescheduled game at Oldham could be the one that decides their fate.

Against a side with a brand new manager, Lee Johnson expected to be given the job in time to take charge against Pools, they know that this is the big one.

Every game has been important since they first gave themselves a chance of survival after the season’s halfway point. But with Oldham one place and four points ahead of Pools, they have reached what could be a turning point.

Lose and the gap becomes seven, win and it’s down to one. Even a draw would be little use to John Hughes’s men.

Oldham lost at home to Bournemouth at the weekend and it’s as tense a time for them as it is for Pools, with fifth-bottom also losing and within reach of both clubs.

Just days after being given the dubious honour of manager of the month – it always seems to carry a penalty for Pools - Hughes could face a ban after being sent to the stand at Coventry. He protested strongly about the match-winner by Cody McDonald, who Pools felt fouled Peter Hartley before his match-deciding shot at goal.

Hughes told the Northern Echo: "I had a word with him at half-time and he got upset, which is disappointing.

"I felt he could have taken time out, ten seconds, his emotions were running very high and he probably made his decision to send me into the stand off his emotions.

"And I'm saying that because I didn't raise my voice not once or use foul or abusive language. All I said to him was that the decision puts livelihoods at stake - and he felt that was threatening behaviour.

"If that's the case, then I'll put my hands up to that. I'm just making a point. He felt I stepped across the line and sent me to the stands for it.

"I was very surprised to be sitting in the stands in the second half. Maybe he's made a ricket.''

There was a spat at the final whistle between Pools coach Micky Barron and Coventry boss Steven Pressley, a former player under Hughes at Falkirk who seemed to think that pumping his fist in the air right in front of Barron was acceptable behaviour.

But whatever the outcome of those scenes, one basic fact remains – Pools’ fate this season probably hinges on 90 minutes at Oldham on Tuesday night.