It was a performance of two halves. A lethargic first period showing very little in response to the terrible away displays of late followed by a much better second half from which we finally got our reward, a deserved point. In the circumstances, the draw was a relief and obviously better than a defeat, but I still felt a little concerned that everyone seemed to be ecstatic at salvaging a late draw against such a poor side that we should be beating if we want to do anything this season. And that Hartlepool were with the exception of Luke James, who looks a very good prospect and far more ready for first-team football than Mitch Harding, who found things difficult. He gave it plenty of effort and improved in the second half before he came off. But I must admit I couldn't believe that the likes of Clarkson and Norburn were on the bench. In the first half, we had a decent start, but didn't really threaten a goal. Hartlepool looked the more likely as most of our players were just waiting for something to happen. Our goal came against the run of play at the time, but Lee Brown actually decided to run at the defence (My MOTM btw), and Harrold finished it off very well to his credit. But then we switched off. Good finish though by James but our reaction to that was poor, and another Hartlepool goal before half-time seemed inevitable (well to me at least). The defending for that was pathetic I;'m afraid, and from nowhere really our defending from set-pieces has deteriorated. That's 4 goals in 3 games from free-kicks and corners, something that we weren't doing under JW last season. The second half was a lot, lot better. We showed much more invention and creativity, but didn't quite get the luck. In fact we didn't get a clear shot on goal until JJOT's equaliser. We kept getting in on the right which was good, exposing their weakness. Harrold did very well, as did Clarkson after he came on, and had a valuable part in the goal. We were very sloppy at times however, such as that joke of a corner we gave away, and we also looked vulnerable to the counter-attack. But as JW said we through the kitchen sink at them and it would have been a travesty had they held on to be fair. Now let's produce a good performance over a full 90 minutes and start playing better away.
good summary AMOT i fully understand why clarkson and norburn was on the bench. ward is trying to skake things up and hoping something works. i said yesterday that when took over our defence became solid. now our defence is a big weakness. its the same keeper and back 4 too. maybe the lack of midfield and wingers and the inability to do anything in the final 3rd has taken its toll on our defence!
not that great to be honest. not made an impact. wrong type of loan. needed a winger or striker. he been used on the wing both left and right wing!
