I hope he takes Cooky off puts Cooper in middle and Mancini wide. Cooper not involved because playing in wrong position Cooky having a nightmare. Dickinson could well go on and score the winner but something not quite right in his game so far. For a player of his ability he is definitely under performing.

not a Lacey fan but Phillips has hung him out to dry today--not a full back and just turns backwards whenever he has space, bizarre selection.

finally the two subs

Seems like a total lack of effort.
And skill n will to really want to win.
Bye Bye dross.

Mancinin subbed. Was he that bad?

think injured again.

that was shite and Phillips needs to look at himself, but we are way short of the quality we need--and its over to Raj to see if hes going to fund putting that right.....I am not holding my breath!

Horrible performance we are fcking miles away

Sing out

Surely a credible result as Southend would have been way up the table if not for the points deduction plus Pools never conceded, when did that last happen ?
Is KP not the Messiah everyone thought he would be, he will say Pools were short on match practice.

This. When was the last time we kept a clean sheet? They couldn’t score, we couldn’t score. Fair result against a decent team tbh.

Minuses- Mancini clearly isn’t ready so why risk him? Lacey can’t attack to save his life so why play him as a full back? And when Cooke has an off day I sometimes wonder if he might be color blind, his passing is so bad.

The two teams cancelled each other out overall. With more clinical finishing we would have gone home with three points, but it wasn't going to happen for us today. I did get to see a piece of nearly world class skill from Wes Fonguck, his control of the ball onto his chest and his turn were brilliant, the shanked shot was not!

That result finally puts to bed any play-off thoughts any of our number had. So see you next season and good luck for the remainder of this one.

The clearer chances what they were went to Southend but both sides going nowhere on that showing

Your supporters made a load of noise second half - I didn't hear how many were in because the PA in on the blink (for the last 6 weeks!) in the stand where I sit, but it loooked like 300-400.

It was anybody's game in the last 15 minutes but our drunmmer went quiet and the North West Corner can't seem to raise a tune without him

Look forward to the game next season - hopefully with both teams on a promotion charge.

Got a soft spot for Sarfend. Been to your place many times and usually stayed overnight. Sound people sound supporters and great night out. Once even met a group of hells angel type bikers on a night out and stayed friends with a couple of them ever since despite them not liking football and me knowing sod all about bikers. Good luck to a proper football club with real supporters.

The first clean sheet at home in ages is something to be grateful for but Pools didn't offer a lot in attack. Cooke had another poor game and as for Cooper - in size he's reminiscent of Dan Kemp but the similarity ends there. I thought Dickenson put in a good shift - not everything came off for him but he had our best chances. Felt sorry for him when Mancini had to go off - he was blowing out of his arse and expecting to be subbed himself!

Joe Grey was a big miss today - the good news is that it's only an illness and he should be back for the Eastleigh game.

Nice to see a decent turnout by Southend good away following
Best of luck in the future. Will be glad when we are mathematicaly safe.

We got a clean sheet

Change of goalkeeper - clean sheet. When was the last time Pools played out a 0-0? Can anyone remember. And does anyone know the crowd today please?

4200 today

Jameson did well in fairness and his distribution was pretty good too

Outstanding from both sets of fans for a basically nothing division 5 game.
Both clubs have potential to not stagnate in the embarrassing non league scene.
UTP.

Crowds are holding up and that’s a good sign, they appear to have faith in what Phillips is doing.
So the onus is on Raj to play his part in the triangle of belief and back Phillips if he’s staying on as owner of the club.

About time you got ambitious.
Congratulations Snowy.

I’m a patient man Kev ….. but it’s time to get this show on the road.

Met a mate of mine in the pub after the game and he was less than impressed by the entertainment served up. Glad i gave it a miss and enjoyed the 6 Nations instead.
It feels so much like the season is over or is it just me?

A bit ov pressure on Chairman to deliver a promotion drive for next season and rightly so in my book.
UTP.

If he can’t see what needs to be done on the evidence provided I’ll be a bit more than disappointed
Pressure? Nah, it’s beyond that… I expect him to do the business as we’ve turned a corner in my mind….we’ve hung onto our fan base and Phillips looks promising…. So it’s time to step up to the mark and let us know what the plans are for next season.
No more waiting for ‘developments’ we need a pathway laying down for next season, no more fingers crossed, just a simple statement of intent.
Can’t be more reasonable then that, no more drifting along hoping something will come up…you make it happen.

The potential is there to get 5,000 - 6,000 home fans every week for a promotion challenging team.

The way crowds have held up this season is amazing all things considered, and from what I see in the section of the Millhouse I sit in, there's loads of people paying at the gate for games. It's not as if you can play 'spot the regular' because it's different people every time. If they were all motivated to come back regularly the Vic would be rammed.

How many manages has Singh put his trust in and allow second rate signings, if we have a decent run until the end of the season he might release more funds to KP.

that really summed up the game. both teams trying but nothing coming off where both defences managed to get the end of a toe to something where it looked as if a defence splitting pass was on the cards if they hadn,t that fortune. far better than if both sides constantly passed square in their own half of the field and a man of the match given to the one that made a decent forward pass.

Thought playing Lacey at full back was a mistake as he is a central defender and was not an attacking threat going forward. Also Manni was left isolated up front and Phillips should know only too well not to starve your main goal scorer of chances. Feed the beast and he will score.

Agree with this 100% just don’t have faith in the chairman to do it

Think it was about 14 mouths ago a nil nil.. At the Vic

On the money Snowy

We played 2 holding midfielders in front of 2 very competent CBs at home when we seriously need points, 5 from the drop and 6 from 2nd bottom.
Thats the fact of the matter, Yet some think we are safe.

Well he’d better make his mind up very shortly, because we’re fast approaching the point where things have to be put in motion for next year if there’s any serious intent of putting up a challenge to be in with the front runners for promotion.
It’s cards on the table time.

I now believe its time we politely keep this subject going just in case Raj is having other thoughts regarding budget etc. Let's be honest Pools do read this board and it will find its way to Raj. What we don't need is people attacking and accusing Raj of this and that before we see what his plans are for next season.

I have been watching teams from the bottom 6 lately and they really are pish. It's still possible we could get dragged into the relegation battle but highly unlikely in my opinion.

Play offs gone.
Mid table so called consolidation probably gone.
Looking like a 5th or 6th bottom finish and the Positive out of that has to be use this great opportunity to bin the out of contract overpaid shite.
Over to KP/RS to do the right thing and deliver.
UTP
.

Like I said Kev, time to start organising for next season, let’s not have any more wasted prep time like we did after Lee left.
I will not defend this sort of failure to get organised anymore.
The guns that defend you can easily be turned around to become the guns that return fire…we’ve reached a crossroads ….it’s time all three aspects of the club, fans, owner and manager were pulling in the right direction, instead of just getting by and wallowing.
I’ve been more than patient, understanding and cautious, over the past couple of seasons but there comes a time you need to see your own input and loyalty appreciated in return.
I’m not expecting miracles, super signings or kids fantasy stuff, but I expect us to have a common purpose to succeed and the will to be believe we can be winners and shake of the lethargy that’s plagued us.
Going by our efforts over the past few seasons the club motto should have been changed from ‘Never say Die’ to ‘Coulda, shoulda, woulda- didn’t!’.
Don’t waste my precious time stumbling along, get arses into gear and make an effort …… I’ve had enough.
You really don’t want me outside the tent pissing in.

Some good sensible debate Goin on.
But if we stay silent then we will get the club we deserve.
I'm glad we all seem to be on the same wavelength now and even a few will cut LF and Billy a bit of slack.

But we're not all on the same wavelength are we - there's no let up in the predictions Raj is going to run us into the ground in the next 4 or 5 months is there? Claims that he'll sign players on the cheap, depend on poor loanees, blame the reduced parachute payment, etc etc are pure speculation based on opinion really don't help. All of these claims are as extreme as claiming we're going to sign Haalund and romp the league.
Maybe KP and Raj should be cut a little bit of slack, unless we have a slump and get drawn I to the relegation battle of course.

really i just cannot see KP getting a poor budget to recruit players. Raj isn,t going to bankroll us but how many of the clubs in this league are bankrolled now. its all about signing players to get a team on the pitch with some decent back ups when the obvious injuries will crop up. yes a team and not 11 individuals doing their thing. i can hear it now on how some are underwhelmed when we sign players because in their eyes we have missed out on someone they have heard about or seen. we will start off with a decent base for him to work with and he and others will have to sell the club to future signings rather than bribe em to come when their hearts are not in it. at least we will not be saying so and so are only here for the money which is the case at other clubs with their underperformers.

I’m talking about the end of the season …when the skip turns up and the rebuild begins.
No one is suggesting a lynching…simply we need a to see the ship going in the right direction because at present we’re going around in circles.
I expect Raj to be here next season, ok if he stays, but there has to be a sign this business is going to become proactive instead of stagnating.
I’ve made allowances but even I need a response and reward for that patience, we can’t continue like this, that’s for certain.

Id imagine the conversations have already begun with regards to the retained list etc...
Can KP even start to think about a rebuild if he doesnt yet know his budget ? or does he ? Be a good clear out thats for sure !

Be also interesting to see if Feaths and Cooke stick around (not bothered if either go tbh but i think Feaths should get his Testamonial)

We have to keep signing the calibre of player like Waterfall and Parkes. I just also hope we can sign a RB too and not wait on Dodds coming back as i think thats really killed us this season. Him and Mancini being out for me has been the reason we have faulted after that great start !

We cant keep getting in kids like Agyemang etc too - we have gone backwards again and signed unproven kids. Cooper can also be added to that list now aswell as ive seen enough of him, not the type of player we need to be successful.

The patching up of the team is still happening and we have not had a settled side even under KP tbh. Its going to be a tough slog now to the end of the season but i think we still have enough to not worry about being relegated. Plus 2 games in hand on those around us now also. We just have to make sure we benefit from it and get some points from the 2 games !

Mancini wont kick a ball for us again this season - weird decision to bring him on when even KP himself said he needed more recovery time !

Players like Wallace etc... i think will be gone too. He would of probably came in on good wages too. Been far too many recruits who came with a good pedigree but unfortunately have found the NL either a step too far or just not for them by the looks !

What 'input' are you talking about Snowy? A few of the most critical on here watch every game on IPTV. If we all took that approach there'd be no fan base left and no club!
Not having a pop at those who for one reason or another (location or health) can't get to any games.

Excellent post

Just re watched the highlights - both teams very unfortunate to not leave the game with a few goals each.

Dickenson should (and would of a few years ago) finished the 2 really good chances he had ! Also few bits of smart play from him to get others involved. Shame he is unfit and cant do that every week for us !

I was thinking the same about Dickenson. Good passer of a ball, shoots with both feet. Maybe this new fitness coach can get him up to speed.