Report: Uninspiring Pools Shamed Again

Hartlepool United lost once again on home turf, this time at the hands of Charlton.
Report:
Mick Wadsworth said in his post match interview on Tuesday that his side lacked leadership, presumably alluding disparagement towards captain Sam Collins, Paul Murray and Andy Monkhouse. Today, against table toppers Charlton, the trio were part of eleven players lacking leadership and passion – especially passion.

The distinct absence of willingness and heart succumbed Pools to yet another home defeat. Collins and Peter Hartley watched not once, not twice, not even three times, but four times the ball sweeped across the box in almost identical fashion and met with a scoreboard changing consequence.

Same build-up, same result – same useless defence. For Charlton, it was easy. Their back-up plan B was quickly forgotten about as soon as they peeled eyes on a confidence-starved and incapable defence. Even the reliable and consistent Austin and Horwood had terrible games.

The nightmare began as early as the tenth minute, Bradley Wright-Phillips – who Collins had cleverly (read with sarcasm) deserted – turning in a ball that darted across the box.

Pools advanced forward, though with minimum amount of urgency, and attempted to dissect Charlton’s back line. However, dearth movement in the final third was at fault for the ball constantly being rebuked; Nish once again showcasing his inability to challenge aerially.

James Poole did snake into the middle on occasions to spark attacks but it was too plainly obvious once more that he isn’t a winger. It justs a shame Wadsworth is an extreme sycophant of Nish…

Collins hesitated before fluffing a shot from the edge of the box, the preceding corner one of many inadequate set-pieces. Wiggins – who gave Austin a torrid time at right back – neatly negotiated a one-two, the return pass seeing him deliver another textbook cross into the box with Wright-Phillips once again pouncing in identical fashion.

With that the half-time whistle soon followed, the whistle the platform in which many disillusioned supporters used to boo their sides ‘effort’.

HT: Hartlepool United 0-2 Charlton Athletic

Pools returned earlier than their counterparts to the field, one hoping that Wadsworth had verbally scared his troops into action. I was soon disappointed.

Mirroring the start to the first-half, it only took Chris Powell’s men ten minutes to add their tally, once more by capitalsing on shambolic defending. Peter Hartley felled a forward and the ensuing free-kick, near the by-line, was met by Danny Hollands who effortlessly headed home low down after creeping beyond his marker.

Yet again: schoolboy defending. Yet again: same tactic. Yet again: Pools failed to halt the obvious.

James Brown and Nathan Luscombe came on, the former injecting some creativity and attackive mixture into Pools. In fact, the duo were the only outfield players to come away with any credit such was their impression. Nish failed to force a save from a teasing pass, though it was a tough chance to convert in all fairness.

Brown saw a 25-yarder balloon over, just, as Pools did at least attempt to reduce the deficit. Still, though, the manner of performance really, really punctured hope and to some extent, patience, among the 5000 strong home crowd.

Scott Wagstaff made it four via, you guessed it…a similar routine deployed by the Addicks. The ball was swept across from the wing and Wagstaff got there ahead of challenges and placed the ball beyond the helpless Flinders.

Eagerly-eyed spectators would have noticed today the change in dug outs from Pools. Was that to cancel out the amount of abuse directed at Wadsworth? Your decision, but based on this evidence abuse lambasted towards the 61-year-old isn’t unwarranted. Change in leaders and selection must occur to prevent this worrying slide from transforming into a disatrous kamikaze.

FT: Hartlepool United 0-4 Charlton Athletic

Man of the Match: Scott Flinders: Conceded four, yes, but couldn’t prevent any of the finishes and was animated in anger and passion in the first half. The only one who showed that they wanted to win.