http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/hufc/Pools-humbled-by-nonleaguers.4597691.jp




HARTLEPOOL United's lack of strength in depth was highlighted last night as the reserves lost 2-1 at home to Northern League outfit Ryton.
Danny Wilson has openly bemoaned the fact that his squad is paper-thin this season with the purse strings being firmly tightened at Victoria Park.

The Pools boss will have little alternative than to turn to the club's promising youngsters if the iADVERTISEMENTnjury problems begin to mount.

But it was evident at Billingham Town's Ron Greig Stadium last night that some of the rookie fringe players are still in the development stage.

A Pools side featuring the likes of Jan Budtz, Alan Power and Jonny Rowell were lacklustre in the opening round of the Durham County Cup and deservedly came away with nothing.

Ryan Bell gave Ryton the lead midway through the first half and could have added to their lead if it wasn't for some fine saves by Jan Budtz and a goal disallowed for offside.

Pools, who were under the stewardship of youth team manager Micky Barron, pulled level on the hour mark when Rowell's left-wing cross was headed home by Martin Young.

Power could have given Pools the lead when he surged forward from midfield, but his shot went inches over the bar.

Ryton got their just rewards with 10 minutes left on the clock when Bell scored to knock Pools out of the competition.

It continues an inconsistent start to the season for the second string who have not been able to find the impressive form which saw them win the Pontin's Holiday League East last year.

The reserves have lost four of their opening six games, but did knock four past a young Barnsley outfit and also claimed a tremendous 2-1 victory at Leeds.

So the losing mentality is rife throughout the club. At least the ressies know what is expected of them when they get a first team chance.

One of our biggest problems is that we don't have any strength in depth, this type of opposition is probably quite a few of those lads natural level. The losing mentality has come about because the players in the first team aren't under enough pressure for their shirt and have fallen into comfort zones.

judging by the last two away games, they have simply been falling over!!!!

Get some proper boots on !!!!

Do our players earn more money twatting around the middle of League 1 or at the top of League 2?

I know that the contracts are written with a lower basic salary if we're in a lower division, but do the bonuses overly compensate for that to the extent that some of them really really really don't give a fk if they get relegated and then have a storming season in a lower league?

if they get relegated they should not get the chance of a new contract at the club!!!!!

I suspect relegation is well and truly on the cards.

Far too many people at the club make stupid comments how we are close to getting it right. Bloody hell boys and girls, we get so right we cant even win when we play well.

relegation in the centenary year would sum Pools up to a tee!!!!
We aren't going to win another away match the way things are, so how many home wins do we need to stay up?

24.

even though we only play 23?

Woooooooooosssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.............................