The Poolie Bunker

Benn in for the suspended Eccleston, on loan midfielder Deeming gets a start in place of Popov. No Hampson or Charman on the bench.

Looks like Clark has ditched starting with 2 upfront for this game after all.

We have scored the lowest goals for, in the NL so far, Clark has now decided to improve this by only playing 1 up front instead of the usual 2. What an excellent idea, what can possibly go wrong?

I reserve the right to amend this comment should we win

mot going to knock the bloke for trying something different. its not as if 2 up front fas been a roaring success.

As long as Miley and Deeming are getting up and around Harris it has to be worth a try, maybe try playing more if a passing game on the grass instead of hoof ball too.
I've a sneaky feeling we're going to nick the win.

Dont claim I am an ace tactician but I am guessing the West Brom lad will be in an advanced midfield role so his job wil be to pick a decent pass to Harris when possible and have a shot at goal himself if the opportunity presents. So even though we are playing a lone striker we may (possibly) have more attacking options. Of course it depends on Deeming having what it takes to play thar role effectively. Of course some would argue we could have De Bruyne in his pomp and still be rubbish. Its all to play for tonight. Could this be defining 90 odd minutes for Clark?

Brother, trying to win football matches goes beyond just throwing attackers on the pitch. In fact, I’m actually pleased Clark has done away with his usual tactics of just putting however many strikers on the pitch. Maybe with another midfielder we’ll actually be able to get the ball to Harris.

1-1 at half time. We're doing better than last time out. Mcnally, Miley and Benn all playing well so far. Illunga started really well but fell off as the half moved on. Their goal was a stupid soft penalty from a corner. Our goal was a cracker. Header by Miley from a move he started after Harris put two of their defenders on their arses with a beauty of a dummy.

Usual shite so far, gave away a soft penalty but got back on terms with a Smiley far post header from Ilunga's cross. Ilunga best player for us so far, putting some decent crosses in.

Hunter sent off. So it will be like tha Alamo for the last 15 as we try to hang on against the mighty Altrincham. Fooks sake.

Had to be Crawford 2-1 to Altringham

Lets be honest this team should be in the bottom 4 with only 6 goals scored in 8 games.

Going forward this has to change starting with Clark who should never have got the job in the first place.

"Ridiculously passive and offered nothing whatsoever" - DC - spot on

Was that said in commentary? Was DC, Dave Challinor?

Yeah Challinor was co-commentator on Tees , his summary at the end, can't argue with it!

If Clarky is still gaffer for Saturday then Smithy ain't a very good Chairman.

Probably a real crowd of 2999 on Saturday.

A team going through the motions…..waiting for change.
Our ability to play with 10 men on a regular basis it appears is becoming embarrassing…times up.

I thought we looked decent at times in the 1st half with the new formation and had chances to score early on.

But let's face it, Altrincham are only in the NL to make up the numbers, their ground is a tip and their best player is a lad we released 3 seasons ago. Nowhere near good enough from Pools.

That second half was dog shite. I don't know what that Geordie baffoon said to them at half time but it might as well have been "just go out there and be as passive as possible".

Just think - we were once at an under achieving level where we ditched Tom Crawford because he wasn't good enough.

This squad and manager is way, way, way behind where we were then (and we were poor then).

This carry on doesn't deserve half that number.

We are hopeless, Crawford showing what a proper midfielder should be doing. Totally embarrassing, but hey we scored a goal. How much longer can they let this shit show go on?
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I’ll be giving it a miss Saturday and I’ve a feeling quite a few others will be doing likewise

he gives hunter the captains armband so he gets himself a second caution again to prove what a good leader of men he is and the bloke who gave him the job. before that we were in line for a bore point.