Game Management

Snowy · **Joined:** Fri Aug 18, 2006 12:18 pm **Posts:** 37383

Exactly.
I now go to matches out of habit, no longer in hope.

misterb2001 · **Posted:** Sat Dec 02, 2017 6:45 pm

Dunno about this squad being good enough for top 7.

Completely agree about the game management. You could see one or two players flagging after 65 minutes. What the fuck is that anyway, players not being able to last past an hour? What type of fitness program do we have?

Feel sorry for Donnelly and Newton, who were excellent throughout.

Snowy · **Joined:** Fri Aug 18, 2006 12:18 pm **Posts:** 37383

Why did he put two subs on with 30 seconds to go....?
Cassidy..... what exactly does he do....?

RichyHpool · **Posted:** Sat Dec 02, 2017 7:39 pm

Absolutely infuriating stuff today, by far the better team for 80 minutes and if we had any ruthlessness we would have been 3 or 4 up. Its getting very tiring watching some of these games, the opposition are very limited and to put it bluntly fecking piss poor. For being the form side in the league with the best away record they were absolute dog shit, our inability to punish teams will come back and bite us on the arse over and over again. The longer the game goes at 1-0 you either have to shore it up and stick with it or go for a killer second which we did and our severe lack of some craft ,creativity and finishing power has cost us yet again. Its criminal drawing that game never mind losing it yet somehow weve managed to do it yet again, a decent side would have finished the job off or seen it out.

If Harrison is to remain in charge he needs fire power in a fast, a quality wide man and a poacher then we'd be coming out of games against crap like that with 3/4 -0 wins and taking pressure off the back 4 and keeper. If he's not the man to do it then bloody get rid now because we need a far better second half to the season if we are even gonna scrape the top 7.

pooliecrab · **Joined:** Tue Dec 16, 2014 9:31 pm **Posts:** 6028

I've never been convinced by Harrison and time only provides more evidence he's out of his depth.

He did an interview on the radio just before the game today and it came across as the ramblings of an idiot. Apparently the team had a meeting and they still believe they can win the league. Personally I think for that to happen the owners would have to act now.

If we, by some miracle, got into the playoffs does anyone believe Harrison would be able to get the better of his counterpart over 2 games? I'm now convinced I've previously judged our current squad a bit harshly, there's enough in that squad to be competitive at this level despite it's obvious weaknesses.

RichyHpool · **Posted:** Sat Dec 02, 2017 8:04 pm

We have some decent players for this level and today for about 80 mins they showed they are capable, we lack that finishing touch and a bit of experience at the back to take us to the next level. Maybe a more experienced manager would get more out of them!

Jamie1952 · **Joined:** Fri Jul 15, 2011 3:56 pm **Posts:** 7397

I was impressed by a lot of our play unfortunately spoiled by poor management decidsions later on.
Oh one good point, defending corners, Munns was half way up the park bearing in mind not that his stature in the box would have made a difference.

Bluestreak · **Posted:** Sat Dec 02, 2017 8:34 pm

Chip Fireball wrote:

1-0 with 20 minutes to go, this is when managers earn their salaries. By reacting to what is being played out in front of them and by using the option of fresh legs wisely.

Macclesfield came with a game plan, to stay in the match as long as possible, even at 1-0 down they showed minimal attacking intent until they decided to roll the dice at the death, throw on fresh legs and an extra man up front.

We have a manager stood like a rabbit caught in the headlights, either unable to see what is happening on the pitch, or unable to react to it. Just close the game out FFS, go 4-5-1 if you have to, take off the tired players, and shore up your midfield. We have lads out on their arses with 20 minutes to go and unbelievably they stay on the pitch, even when everyone in the ground can see the tide turning.

I appreciate money is tight, but the owners took the cheap option in the Summer when they chose a manager, and by Christ are we paying for it now. Anyone even remotely competent would have this squad in the top 7 of such a bad league.

The owners I understand are convinced we will be in the plays offs at least come the end of the season. I genuinely cant see it with this bloke in charge.

Chip i agree entirely with your comments.

Malcolm Dawes Knew My Father · **Joined:** Wed May 11, 2011 4:25 pm **Posts:** 4198

For a long time it looked odds on that Pools would sooner or later get the second goal that would have made the game safe. When it got into the last 15 minutes...yep, definitely, time to shut up shop.

The players started the game looking like they wanted to make a point. They attacked at pace, kept the ball on the deck most of the time and opened up Macclesfield's defence time after time - but only applied the killer touch the once. All in all, it looked as if the Ebbsfleet inquest had the desired effect.

But where do they go from here? I don't think much blame for this one attaches to the players - Cassidy struggled but never stopped working, Magnay looked like a guy who had been out for a month, the likes of Laing, Newton and Munns had their best games in a Pools shirt that I've seen.

Why has it taken an hour in the dressing room for Harrison to say sorry lads, that was my fault?

Bluestreak · **Posted:** Sat Dec 02, 2017 8:50 pm

The midfield line up dictated by injuries was the best i have seen. Each player complements one another. Why dont full time coaches see this???

monkeybutt · **Posted:** Sat Dec 02, 2017 8:59 pm

Bluestreak wrote:

The midfield line up dictated by injuries was the best i have seen. Each player complements one another. Why dont full time coaches see this???

I don`t think Mensa have received Harrisons application if that helps :doh:

Perhaps the game looks different pitch side, he needs to sit in the stands and watch closely, Magnay was goosed, Cassidy ineffective and boy do somebody to coach the forwards on how to finish, the amount of chances we had :angry-screaming:

Safety salemander · **Joined:** Sun Feb 01, 2015 6:33 pm **Posts:** 9

I might be speaking out of term but I think we just need to realise that we’re just not very good! Sadly I find watching Pools is just a good excuse to meet the lads and have a few beers, and it will stay this way for a very long time.

billinghampoolie1908 · **Joined:** Thu Feb 05, 2015 5:52 pm **Posts:** 4439

Chip Fireball wrote:

1-0 with 20 minutes to go, this is when managers earn their salaries. By reacting to what is being played out in front of them and by using the option of fresh legs wisely.

Macclesfield came with a game plan, to stay in the match as long as possible, even at 1-0 down they showed minimal attacking intent until they decided to roll the dice at the death, throw on fresh legs and an extra man up front.

We have a manager stood like a rabbit caught in the headlights, either unable to see what is happening on the pitch, or unable to react to it. Just close the game out FFS, go 4-5-1 if you have to, take off the tired players, and shore up your midfield. We have lads out on their arses with 20 minutes to go and unbelievably they stay on the pitch, even when everyone in the ground can see the tide turning.

I appreciate money is tight, but the owners took the cheap option in the Summer when they chose a manager, and by Christ are we paying for it now. Anyone even remotely competent would have this squad in the top 7 of such a bad league.

The owners I understand are convinced we will be in the plays offs at least come the end of the season. I genuinely cant see it with this bloke in charge.

Can we afford to keep him? We will probobly be down 500 on gates every week until the end of the season now. A competant manager would have this fairly poor team in the top 7 im convinced of it. I reckon last years team would of been top with the right guy in charge. Then season tickets next season will be massively down too.

Smokin Joe · **Joined:** Sun Apr 14, 2013 7:13 pm **Posts:** 1109

How far does the side need to slump, how many more fans need to vote with their feet never to return before the penny drops and the owners appreciate that Harrison is not quite the full shilling and terminate the contracts of him and his equally useless assistant?

Twilight Zone · **Joined:** Mon Aug 01, 2011 10:06 pm **Posts:** 1428

Bluestreak wrote:

The midfield line up dictated by injuries was the best i have seen. Each player complements one another. Why dont full time coaches see this???

Totally agree

Twilight Zone · **Joined:** Mon Aug 01, 2011 10:06 pm **Posts:** 1428

Smokin Joe wrote:

How far does the side need to slump, how many more fans need to vote with their feet never to return before the penny drops and the owners appreciate that Harrison is not quite the full shilling and terminate the contracts of him and his equally useless assistant?

That needs to be done now..... its got to happen very very quickly or we will not only miss out on the chance of the playoffs / promotion but the club could lose one hell of a lot of loyal supporters and many may never return given the total shit we have had to endure in recent years. We are Hartlepool United not the owners / management or players its us all of us.... every single one of us ....and if Pam wants to keep us loyal she simply has to kick Harrisons & co out of our club and give the job to someone qualified. To be honest anyone could probably do a better job than those clowns given the fact we have a decent squad at this level. I do not blame the players at all because we all see the 100% effort and commitment given and thats why we have to change things now to allow time for a proper manager to get the full potential out of this squad. We are far from a bad team but we need a real leader not a clown to get us up in the top seven in what is the worst level of football I have ever witnessed. Its nowhere near to late for us to have a successful season if Pam acts NOW!!

Snowy · **Joined:** Fri Aug 18, 2006 12:18 pm **Posts:** 37383

Can't argue with that.

Bluestreak · **Posted:** Sun Dec 03, 2017 11:09 am

As a general point i cannot understand why managers and the coaches occupy the dugout area. At that level you cannot see the pattern of play and do not have a "view" of what is actually happening on the pitch.
When you see international rugby union the coaches are up in the stands with monitors communications etc.
My seat is well up in the mill house stand so if Pam would like to give me Craigs number i will stay on the line to him all game telling him whats really happening. I have 600 free minutes on my mobile contract a month so that no problem for me.

:bow-blue:

Hartleblue · **Posted:** Sun Dec 03, 2017 11:52 am

Agree, get one of his assistants up in the press box area with a moblie phone and FFS work it out, 3,000 pairs of eyes can see it and we can,t all be wrong, it,s not rocket science just basic football common sense, I am still boiling my piss over this.AARRRGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

Grayhoundend · **Joined:** Tue Aug 19, 2014 12:13 pm **Posts:** 7452

Bluestreak wrote:

As a general point i cannot understand why managers and the coaches occupy the dugout area. At that level you cannot see the pattern of play and do not have a "view" of what is actually happening on the pitch.
When you see international rugby union the coaches are up in the stands with monitors communications etc.
My seat is well up in the mill house stand so if Pam would like to give me Craigs number i will stay on the line to him all game telling him whats really happening. I have 600 free minutes on my mobile contract a month so that no problem for me.

:bow-blue:

Bluestreak
you don,t understand you like me are just a PUNTER
messers harrison bates etc
are badge holders and that makes them special
they can see everything and understand all that is happening before them
and they have all the stats in the world to prove a point

which of course is all bullshit

and by the way most ex pros are fast tracked through the badge process
so the fa can catch up with rest of europe/world with high ranking qualified coaches

i heard him spouting on tees befor the match about a er point here and er point there and er 85 points
er should be er there or er there abouts

seasons over sad to say.

please anyone dont say i cant say that because i seen nothing to suggest otherwise

paulus the woodgnome and a side salad · **Posted:** Sun Dec 03, 2017 12:44 pm

Our left back cost us that game yesterday he had an awful game, probably his worst since he came back into the team. We were building up pressure in the first half and forced a corner which he put straight out of play, 5 mins later we won a free-kick just outside their box and he produced a ball into the box which was neither a shot nor a cross. He then inexplicably passed a ball across the back four straight to one of their forwards.

In the last ten minutes he gifted their winger so much room and time to get crosses into the box (one from which they scored) he'd either switched off or was having to pick up two men because the personnel in front of him weren't doing their job either?.......but this was all happening on the side of the pitch right in front of our dugout banghead

Yes forget promotion......mid table finish at best for us this season now.......my urine doth boileth over.

monkeybutt · **Posted:** Sun Dec 03, 2017 12:57 pm

I think Pam is stuck between a rock and a hard place, can`t afford to sack him and can`t afford to keep him, because there is no football person on the board or at the club, he will be left to mumble his way through the season, unless we have a whip round to pay him off, how many takers would put in £50 each?

paulus the woodgnome and a side salad · **Posted:** Sun Dec 03, 2017 1:02 pm

Harrison is still a novice too, he like some of our players needs to learn from his mistakes also, his work ethic is good and I personally think he will come good, let's be honest here Macclesfield stole 3 points yesterday, and we could of easily been sat in 9th position this morning had we managed to close that game out.

Snowy · **Joined:** Fri Aug 18, 2006 12:18 pm **Posts:** 37383

paulus the woodgnome and a side salad wrote:

Harrison is still a novice too, he like some of our players needs to learn from his mistakes also, his work ethic is good and I personally think he will come good, let's be honest here Macclesfield stole 3 points yesterday, and we could of easily been sat in 9th position this morning had we managed to close that game out.

...but we didn't close the game out and we aren't in 9th position. Macclesfield stole nothing yesterday.

pooliecrab · **Joined:** Tue Dec 16, 2014 9:31 pm **Posts:** 6028

Come on Snowy be positive, we could have beaten Ebbsfleet as well.

paulus the woodgnome and a side salad · **Posted:** Sun Dec 03, 2017 6:52 pm

Snowy wrote:

paulus the woodgnome and a side salad wrote:

Harrison is still a novice too, he like some of our players needs to learn from his mistakes also, his work ethic is good and I personally think he will come good, let's be honest here Macclesfield stole 3 points yesterday, and we could of easily been sat in 9th position this morning had we managed to close that game out.

...but we didn't close the game out and we aren't in 9th position. Macclesfield stole nothing yesterday.

Okay how's this then......... we failed to close the game out (while pushing for a second) and gifted Macclesfield 3 points?

Snowy · **Joined:** Fri Aug 18, 2006 12:18 pm **Posts:** 37383

End of the day, they beat us by scoring more goals. They scored more goals because our manager failed to react to circumstances on the field and act on them.

paulus the woodgnome and a side salad · **Posted:** Sun Dec 03, 2017 8:47 pm

What particularly infuriated me about yesterdays game was the number of our players who got to the edge of the opponents box but failed to pull the trigger and tried to play somebody else in,...... ffs just shoot, trying to walk the ball in, .....just shoot you may get a lucky deflection, but please don't pass the responsibility onto somebody else everytime.

accrington fan · **Joined:** Wed Jan 20, 2016 3:22 pm **Posts:** 19670

Snowy wrote:

End of the day, they beat us by scoring more goals. They scored more goals because our manager failed to react to circumstances on the field and act on them.

true, but at the end of the day if there,s no one who really looks likely to score goals then there is a problem. need a natural goalscorer who gets the tap ins in the six yeard box regularly. surely there is some one who would jump at the chance of playing full time football from leagues below or a loanee from somewhere. pity amond did not really want to play.

Malcolm Dawes Knew My Father · **Joined:** Wed May 11, 2011 4:25 pm **Posts:** 4198

That was a big part of the problem on Saturday. I lost count of the number of times the ball went flying across their penalty area or six yard box, there were more good crosses put in than I can remember in any game this season. A Joe Allon type would have had a hat-trick in the first half.

Yubep · **Joined:** Wed Jan 31, 2007 6:35 pm **Posts:** 25266

He's only played 16 minutes of 1 league game and a cup game.

Worth a cheeky loan bid surely?

Sheff united play wing backs so i'm not sure how suited he is to their system.

Mr Irrelevant · **Joined:** Thu Aug 17, 2006 8:25 pm **Posts:** 22663

He's on Championship level wages so even if either he or Sheffield United were willing there is no way that Pools could cover his wages or even half of them.

Malcolm Dawes Knew My Father · **Joined:** Wed May 11, 2011 4:25 pm **Posts:** 4198

I doubt dropping down to National League would be a loan move Thomas would even consider unless he harbours a deep and undying love for the club.
And after the abuse he got from sections of the crowd when he came back from injury, got to ask why would he?

pooliecrab · **Joined:** Tue Dec 16, 2014 9:31 pm **Posts:** 6028

The only reason I'd consider coming back if I was him was if I couldn't help myself reading the VTE thread and growing frustrated at not being able to try the food myself.

As mentioned he reacted badly to some ridiculous abuse towards the end of his time at Pools and he probably gets more enjoyment playing for Sheff Utd's reserves than he would playing for us at the moment.

Blue Beard · **Joined:** Fri Jan 06, 2012 4:12 pm **Posts:** 694

Chip Fireball wrote:

misterb2001 wrote:

Dunno about this squad being good enough for top 7.

Well Macclesfield are a point off top and we played them off the park for 70 minutes.

I don't think I have seen a great side all season. I've seen a few that are well managed/organised and a couple with a bit of pace about them, but with the squad we have got we should be top 7 no problem.

But Pools aren’t in the top seven.

And they got beaten by the side they played off the park for 70mins.

This is the mentality that will ensure Pools stay in this league for years to come.

We don’t deserve to be here; we’re better than this on paper.

It won’t wash and the league doesn’t lie...

Hartleblue · **Posted:** Tue Dec 05, 2017 8:24 am

Perfectly true but Loach has probably saved us 5 points as well.

Game Management

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