HARTLEPOOL POST-MATCH REACTION

Put it here......

Job done, but Jesus it was nerve-racking at times, especially later in the second half. To go 3-1 up and then to go to sleep defensively and immediately concede is unacceptable but luckily we didn't end up paying for it.

Roll on Sunday and, with luck and a good performance, a trophy...

well 3 points but a pretty lack lustre performance. AP showed his lack of faith with fringe players by going 4 3 3 with Waigo played out wide right. Puncheon played wide left and he stuck with Harding at RB with mills at LB. Didnt work for me, Puncheon was awful first half and no threat at all yet when wide right in previous games always a threat. Midfield was light and Harding always had to cut back in to put on his left foot. Why not play Perry or Wotton at RB and leave Harding at LB where he has had a good season. Mills first touch poor and just humped the ball forward.
Went behind to goal on big gap on left side and could have been behind earlier. That did seem to fire them up a bit and put some pressure on, 1st goal lambert header against bar and Barnard headed in rebound, another penalty box goal for him. Took the lead when hartlepool CB miskicked the ball to give Lambert chance on edge of box and he buried chance in bottom corner.

Looked fairly comfortable without dominating, got thitd gaol with decent run by puncheon beat his man cut inside beat goalie with his shot, blocked on line but Waigo picked up rebound and put away. Should have been home and dry but went to sleep again on LH side and let their midfield player bring the ball forward pick out his place shoot and score within a minute of our third. Meant an uncomfortable last 25 min, Lambert taken off with 15 mins left to rest for Sunday.

Midfield needed strengthening with either waigo or puncheon to come off but no sub from AP or change in formation, Gillet didnt get a sniff yet was playing in championship for doncaster earlier in season in championship yet cant get a game when we have loads of injuries.

No doubt Jaidi will be in Saturday and expect lallana to play and Schneiderlin big issue will be the FBs. must play harding at LB and will be toss up I think between James or Thomas who i think might have a chance of playing.

Davis 6
Mills 5
Seaborne 6
Fonte 7
Harding 6
Puncheon 5
Hammond 7
Schneiderlin 6
Waigo 6
Lambert 7
Barnard 6

Subs
wotton 6
Connolly 6

I am worried about Seaborne who still looks like a very poor version of a CB.

I have to agree that Seaborne didnt look good on Tuesday. A few times he came for the ball that was clearly Fonte's and ended up with both CBs on same side, Fonte's! Also a number of times he got his head to the ball but headed straight back to Hartlepool player. That said he is young so can improve and without doubt is much more secure than Lancashire so has improved the squad but is definitely behind Fonte and Jaidi