A lot of people would have done a better job than Colin Cooper but for the galzinionth time we have miles wider issue here than won't be resolved by a change of manager. I feel no sense of renewed optimism off the back of today's events, in fact I think things have just got a whole lot worse.

well you are wrong because things couldn't get any worse. As for the wider issue there is another time for that - at the moment its about winning a few games and stopping in the football league...

In 'Jonny World' Colin Cooper released Andy Monkhouse, it was 100% his decision fuck all to do with what he was on....

Eh?

He said things have got a whole lot worse. How can they get any worse than that?

Hughes had way better players than Cooper? Like who...?

Tell us what happened in the real world then...

Eh?

He said things have got a whole lot worse. How can they get any worse than that?

How have things got 'a whole lot worse' by getting rid of Cooper? How can things get any worse than getting beat 3-0 by bottom of the league? How would anyone including Colin Cooper be feeling any better about things if Cooper was still the manager?

I hope that you're pulling this thread up in a few months to say I told you so, but the reality is more likely that you'll be made to look a fool. Open your eyes, man?

Anyone who thinks that the manager at Hartlepool United has the final say in who does and does not get retained is seriously, seriously, misguided at best, and at worst a complete and utter idiot.

They make recommendations, no more no less. I remember having a conversation with Darrell Clarke the morning he was due to go in with Hodcroft. He was convinced he was being released as he knew the management didn't fancy him, had already put his house on the market and was having conversations with other managers.

I spoke to him that night and he said Hodcroft had given him another 12 months because he liked him. I don't think he played a single minute of a first team game the following season. He told me several other players had been in a similar situation where the manger didn't want them but Hodcroft did so they got an extension. I think something similar happened with Barron, 12 month extension, barely kicked a ball. Lee Bullock another that springs to mind, and of course the original Project Ken, Michael Mckay.

The same happened with Wadsworth who wanted shot of one Hartlepool based player, I think his actual words were " I will drive him to the train station myself and put him on a train " and again the player got a contract.

Look at Tony Sweeney, couldn't get a game second half of last season even when fit, but got offered a contract, does anyone seriously think that was Coopers decision ?

Sweeney was offered £500 a week to stay about a third of what Carlisle offered him. Monkhouse and Walton were released for financial reasons. I'm sure if Monky was prepared to play for £500 a week he would still be here.

I'm not saying Cooper was a good manager, far from it, but anyone who thinks the managers hire and fire players at Pools is wrong.

What I will say is that the bloke has lined up numerous signings the last 6 weeks or so and been blanked by the club every single time. He also had his two best players sold from under his feet on transfer deadline day, and wasn't given a penny to re-invest.

You cant pin all the blame on Cooper here, the bloke was working all the hours God sends for buttons. The bloke who had the job before him, did the same and got royally fucked over.

I agree his management record is dire and it was time for him to go, but he appears to be being made a scapegoat here, and its not the first time its happened.

John Hughes did a decent job given the situation when he took over. He wasn't relieved of his job because of results, he was sacked for daring to go to the Hartlepool Mail and say that he wasn't being allowed to sign the players after the owners had promised him funds, and that he had asked for meetings with them and they totally blanked him.

At a time when the club was embroiled in a relegation battle Hodcroft wouldn't even sit down and talk to the manager. That tells you everything you need to know about this arrogant prick of a bloke, who is actually sucking money out of the club.

Have no qualms about Cooper going, but make no mistake Ken Hodcroft is far more culpable for the where the club is right now, he's the bloke that in all probability sold our place in the Football League for £700,000.