https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06h6jhy

The bloke is on another planet

We were utterly useless today

I can’t think of any chances in second half bar the McLaughlin shot

Woods not in the team on merit

It's early days but Mr Bates is under pressure now and it will get worse if he insists on saying we were the best team and should have won blah blah blah. The fact of the matter is that his formation and tactics are not working. They are certainly not producing results that's for sure. When he brought the loan striker on for Cassidy I thought we would keep the ball down and run the big centre halves ragged. Instead we continued to play hoofball. Yes we had chances but chances need to be taken. I was really disappointed today with that performance, with one notable exception, Kioso was magnificent. What a prospect !!!!!

We need a right back also, Kenton sells himself every time and gets beaten.

I would say we need a coach able to develop Kenton into a better defender as he has all the tributes to be a decent wing back / full back if you could do that.

Donaldson already been binned, you cant just change the personnel and hope for better you have to improve players

Failing that adapt the formation to suit the personnel we have.

You must be on another planet, as you said yourself , it was winnable , but we lost, why was that?. I agree the reaction is OTT, but nevertheless given what has went before no wonder.

Didn't have a great game but I believe every player needs a run of 6 games min to prove themselves.

They were the better team by a mile! and if Davies has a long term injury we are going to stuggle in defence.

Not really though I know were you are coming from. I reckon 60% of fans didn't want him as manager, so no honeymoon period for Masterbates

There are 46 games in a season.
That makes 138 possible points.
We are currently on target for 31 points (if you round up)
We do need to improve a little if we want to play National League Premier next season

I'm with Mr PaulL - I find these comments just embarrassing. Where the fuck is our patience? Give the fucking bloke and team a chance. SEVEN of the starting 11 are new to the club THIS FUCKING SUMMER. You expect instant results? It would be nice wouldn't it? Not that likely though is it?

Sort your fucking heads out.

Booing at the end? Really? Second home game of the season. That's fucking dire.

I have my own thoughts, criticisms and queries about why we have players playing in a certain way/position, but that happens with EVERY SINGLE MANAGER at EVERY SINGLE CLUB, that's the game for fucks sake. We all think we know everything or can spot exactly where we're going wrong and maybe we're right sometimes but we're not doing the job.

There's fucking plenty to be positive about.

On the game, think about this - how many clear cut chances did they (Ebbsfleet) create today? I can't remember many at all. How many saves did Loach have to make? Again, can't remember many. Their keeper made a great save to deny us an equaliser and Dinanga and McLaughlin got in each others way when the latter headed wide when it looked a certain goal. Davies also missed that very good chance in the first half from a corner. When was the last time we even created anything decent from a corner?

We didn't get the rub of the green today. On another day, a couple of our chances go in and everyone's happy.

Give the fucking manager and team a chance, 3 games in and moaning like fuck is properly embarrassing.

I guarantee, if us the fans throw the fucking towel in and/or continue getting on the players' backs when things don't go our way then the whole fucking lot will collapse. How good would it be if we stuck with the players regardless? Can't do any arm can it? Who knows, the players might even get confidence from it....ever thought that might have something to do with poor home form? Pressure from us, great, and so easily avoided.

The fans didn’t get on the teams back at all today really, the atmosphere was subdued because the performance was. My impression is we have loads of people watching Pools who desperate for something to get behind.

The boos at the end were totally justified as people had paid £20 to watch that and it was shite. If you are happy with losing at home to Ebbsfleet then crack on.

The same shite was being spouted this time last year and the year before that, new team, only 3 games, give the bloke a chance. We all know deep down how its going to end.

Here we go again, the bloke who is usually right getting the blame for things going wrong. Its the rest of you who are moaning , not me. I was laughed at for saying 4-4-2 is the only way at this level, for wanting to sign 6 footers, for not wanting to sign rejects, for wanting to plan a decent pre-season. Muppets !

There he is! I actually missed the real Horden as perverse as that sounds. I thought he'd become a hippy with his recent posts.

Im with Paul L and Shilts.

This game was winnable we absolutely dominated in the first half, had we took our chances we’d have won it and scored 2 or 3 .

We didn’t, simple as that whilst it’s no good lamenting lost chances and playing well w3 did not get the 3 points required. I thought Richardson should have been on their no17 all game and hassled him and man marked him but he didn’t his inexperience showed. I’m not sure wing backs worked today perhaps Addison in at right back might have been better? Young Kentons got potential but for m3 he is not ready for this level yet.

Thought Noble was disappointing today nought he did come off but that happens. I wonder if Woods and Noble could be the best pairing in the midfield ?

Kioso was man of the match for me 100% again , in for everything and win most headers etc. This lads a gem we have uncovered no doubt. Muir again put a shift in and looks a good signing as did Cassidy and James.

In Bates I trust, sitting near the dugout I can her McNamee coaching and encouraging off the sidelines whilst Bates is more studious.

In this division it’s wide open, everybody’s beating everybody or at least capable of it. Look at Salford 2 losses on the spin and 1 point off 9 and they were accused of butpying their wa into the EFL ! Not at this rate!

3 points needed Tuesday! It’ll look different if we win the next two!

I was working yesterday so couldn't get to the game. Gutted by the result. Comments are par for the course for a bad start to the season, though it's depressing how many are already lining up to say we need a new manager and have invested themselves in being able to say 'see I called it right at the beginning.' Bates and his coaching staff kept Pools up completely against the odds last season; on that basis alone he and they deserves a longer piece of rope than 3 fucking games!

Salford have got one point from 3 games, Gateshead 9 from 3. It's a long old season.

I'm most worried that Davies got injured - not surprised to read that Laing lost his man for the Ebbsfleet goal, though to be fair I should wait for the highlights to see for myself.

I didn’t see this first half domination people are talking about we was a bitty game that was in the main very flat, apart from one spell after about ten minutes I don’t remember a sustained period of pressure from us. Davies should have scored though and McLaughlin twice second half. Ebbsfleet had more of the ball though and at least as much goal mouth action.

Look it’s one defeat it’s not the end of the World but the problem is in this League the games come thick and fast in the first month and we don’t want to be in a situation we’re we are miles behind the top seven after it and pissing about with this unworkable formation is risking that.

It’s not as simple as saying play 4-4-2 we don’t have the wide players I think we will be much better served playing an extra man in midfield if we are to persist with the back three and wing backs and leave out Cassidy. James and Muir look like a front two to me with potential, Niko spent large parts of yesterday outside of the box and way too deep in general. I think we have signed some good players and physically look more suited to this League compared to last season but we are naive to think we can accommodate three forwards and give away the midfield.

You cant create two or three chances in as game miss them, then say you were unlucky or need to be more ruthless.

You cant expect to score every chance or shot on target.

That Davies chance he should of scored with was a decent chance but how many does he score out of 100? less than 40 IMO

I don’t think he realised how much time and space he had the two chances that fell to McLaughlin were better first the header when we got in each others way then the absolute sitter straight after the goal when he gave the keeper an opportunity to make a camera save, he should have buried that instead of trying to guide into the corner.

They were great opportunities but that doesn’t get away from a very disjointed, flat home performance, we huffed and puffed at best but played with very little urgency or movement.

I didn't say the fans got on the team's back, I only mentioned the booing which I still think was shocking. It's game number 3. THREE for fucks sake, how can anyone feel justified in criticising a new(ish) manager (the same manager who incidently steadied the ship and avoided the even more unthinkable of National League North football) with an almost entirely new starting 11?

Every fan at every club is probably desperate for their club to do something so I don't understand the point there Mr PJ.

Look at the players he brought in - Davies, class, should be at a higher level. Noble, quality and should be League Two minimum (wasn't he voted Player of the Year for the National League or some such shit when he played for Forest Green?). James, again, quality player, guaranteed 100% every single game and I'd back him to score more often than he misses. Kioso, top notch kid. Kitching, great crosser of a ball and I like the lad. McLaughlin, haven't seen enough of him, did ok yesterday and 100 times more mobile than Featherstone. Muir, very good signing, had a great game Tuesday, less so yesterday but again, has adapted extremely well to full time football.

And if you don't admit that your comment about being happy with losing at home to Ebbsfleet was, to be blunt, fucking stupid, then you need to give your head a shake.

Slowly, slowly catchy monkey. It's not going to happen overnight. I would MUCH sooner watch us as we have set up recently than the utter car crash bollocks we had to endure under Harrison. Tuesday was the first time I have felt properly excited about a Pools side in several years. Saturday wasn't so great granted and a few things I don't understand but we're not going to win every game at a canter are we? Players aren't always going to perform at their best. Systems of play aren't always going to work. We're not going to win every game.

We have to give it time.

I never like boos during a game but at the end of a poor performance I don’t see a problem with people venting a bit you might say we have time but loads of games are coming thick and fast and we have better players than 2 points from three winnable matches.

I think this team has potential but the manager is not helping himself in how he’s setting us up. Slowly, slowly catch monkey? We are throwing away points due to naivety We should have seen it out and won on Tuesday and we should have got something yesterday. Should we just accept another poor start? Frustration is understanadle it our fans have remained loyal and patient through a mountain of shit. We should do better this season.

I think after Matty’s post match comments yesterday he has headed far too many hard frosty footballs during his career. If he should ever say we were second best then I dread to think what type of performance would prompt it. The worst thing is he is convinced we were the better team. He must have finally realised after 89 minutes that his midfield were not getting a kick to introduce Newton to try to change ebbsfleets domination, but to take off Kioso is again baffling

For the record, I am not blinkered and thinking everything is rosy.....the things I don't really get are us playing players out of position (still), I will never get that with any team. Shoe-horning players into positions should surely only be when you have no other options?

We have to two wing backs/wingers who, to be fair, are not wingers and it shows. Kitching/Richardson/Donaldson will not beat their men. Kitching can certainly cross a ball so if he can be aided by a midfielder to get him round the full back and into a crossing position, then that might work.

Richardson was, unfortunately, a bit bobbins yesterday. The winger turned him inside out all day.

Noble tried the Hollywood ball all day but it never really came off yesterday whereas on Tuesday it pretty much did. That's his game though clearly. Deep-sitting playmaker. He's not Dembele at Spurs so it's not always going to work.

We can pick fault with every performance of the team and players but OVERALL surely you must agree, the football we have played in these couple of games has been better than last season?? We also have to give the squad time to gel. I completely agree, a losing start is hardly going to fill them with confidence so I really think a couple of wins very quickly is very important but we are miles away from needing to push the panic button. Chill the fuck out.

There were boos at the end because fans can actually see a repeat of the start of last season happening all over again. We are decent for 30 minutes, we then run out of ideas, we have a striker on the pitch with 40 goals to his name who will be lucky to get 10 with the way we play and a defence that you just know has to concede. It has to improve

Yes, yes, I get it and yes, it's massively disappointing but the really, really important point is this - THREE GAMES.

Chill out I’m not the one shouting and swearing!?

Tuesday showed promise yesterday was awful, make no bones about it. No matter how many games gone you don’t get tossed away points back.

Every season pools need time to gel yet how come half the division can get it right from game 1? Why is it always pools need to gel? Gateshead in a mess before the season starts, sign players and bang straight away off and running. Not sure we need to gel we need to play players that are good enough, woods for starters and play the in correct positions.

Shouting? I am sat in silence typing. Swearing, yes, I do it a lot. They're just words though.

The post wasn't just for you Mr PJ by the way, it was for anyone sweating/seething/wringing their hands at a home defeat three games into the season. If that's you then yes, please chill the fuck out.

Think about your own post 'Tuesday showed promise yesterday was awful, make no bones about it' - ok, that's fine, you've balanced your own argument. Tuesday was good, Saturday was bad. 50/50. It's not a massive downward spiral. Played 3 and could've won 3. Yes, we haven't and yes, we have seen this all before BUT does this side not inspire more confidence than previously? I never liked Harrison or the players he brought in. I don't mind Bates too much but I really am positive about the players he has brought in.

Give it time and see what happens and in the meantime, give the players as much encouragement as possible because it will help all of us.

See part time Gateshead signed Mike Williamson, 34 year old , like Nelson at Chesterfield one year contract not fookin 3 year. Tinkler and Armstrong boro youngsters, how come we cant get decent boro youngsters, despite half of our staff being ex boro ?. Of course had they come here, Tinkler would of been on the wing and Armstrong playing as a wing back.

There is no magic wand Mr 1908. It works for some, it doesn't for others. There are soooo many factors to take into consideration - who have they played? what was the state of the opposition (injuries etc)? are just a couple of them.

Salford. Nailed on champions apparently. Odds of 2/1 for fucks sake! Look like relegation fodder. I wonder if Gary Neville is on the verge of binning Alexander? I'd put my money on 'no'.

Tranmere last season had a horrible start. They did quite well.

I have no idea how we'll do, none of us do. We might go unbeaten for the rest of the season, we might not win for the rest of the season but what I have personally seen does not make me think the latter.

Just use the figures to suit. Pools have started badly in last 6 seasons, and have either been relegated or escaped by skin of their teeth

I definitely think we've got the players to do well - but the winning formation in current use has been busted in 20 minutes by all opposition so far -
I went to Spennymoor which was the first time i'd seen it used and we were lucky enough to score in the first half - after that it was one way traffic and they put us under some real pressure - I had concerns then that if this was what we were sticking to we were going to be in the proverbial! - so far I've been right
What I think is disappointing is that last season Mr Bates bemoaned the fact that he didnt have the players to be flexible with tactics during the game - well so far i haven't seen any flexibility at all - so lets hope this is a blip and we learn going forward

i must have missed that survey. what makes you think you can speak for pools fans ? if 80% of pools fans read your comments and take the directly opposite view, i think 50% of us will be about right.

Thing about salford is they have played 2 of the favourites, we have played 2 of the sides expected to struggle, early days but signs arent good.

Well, we'll see in time who has the last laugh. Steadied the ship , now that is a joke. The players were playing for Bates and for contracts, and his buddies got them, that was the difference, why? probably because he was one of the lads, their mate, the same player who probably undermined Harrison, he was coach under Harrison remember, was great at that wasn't he?.

So you'll be laughing if we start to play badly, just because it proved your point?

You're a sad little man.

Not at all, exactly the opposite actually. The people who are sad, are the ones who were predicting promotion a couple of weeks ago and are now , experts after the event, whingeing on were its going wrong. I want us to do well, more than anyone, that's why I want Bates out asap if things don't improve. You just don't get it do you. Thick as shit.

My condolences for not been Mr Happy Clappy, and burying my head in the sand. Make the play offs PaulL and I'll be the first one to offer to buy you a pint as my way of an apology.

All this drama and the season started last Saturday.

Fuck me.

'...Bates out asap if things don't improve..' oh my word.

"Well, we'll see in time who has the last laugh." How is that the opposite? Read what you're saying! You will laugh if we have bad results and prove people wrong.

Doesn't take an "expert" to work that out. As for "thick as shit", grow up.

Its only a concern, no drama yet, just a few opinions being voiced. After last 5 or 6 seasons can you blame people?. Do you really think I enjoy typing these type of posts? its bad for my health, I would much rather be posting positive stuff , its more enjoyable and better for my blood pressure.

I hope Bates can turn things around, lets just see what develops, before we start tearing strips off each other, as you say, early days yet.

It's a game, if it's bad for your health then had a day away from it. Fucking hell, you're going on as if your life depends on our managerial choices.

I will , when we win

Did anyone else notice the handshake snub when Cassidy was subbed?

Great - a conspiracy theory.

Based on bog all like all the best conspiracy theories.

'Probably' complete horse manure.

Sorry to say but Mr Horden is making a bit of an arse of himself here, and sadly does appear to revel in this sort of thing.

Well you would know about making an arse of yourself , if I am its a one off , with you its a full time job

You tell me, give me some proof. I suppose you were one of the many who thought we would walk the league though. clever shite

Have you had a bad weekend or something?