The Poolie Bunker

1) General surprise at Tinkler starting in central defence was sadly justified very early on when he offered about as much resistance to Dagnall as a sheet of wet paper. He got better, but it wasn't exactly a great start.

2) Barker's penalty saved. Beginnning to think by this point that it's not our day.

3) Dale penalty saved, hope springs eternal - turning point?

4) Pools fail to get a decent cross in from the right pretty much all game.

5) Barker - want to see the replay, it looked like it hit his hands but whether he moved them to block it I couldn't say. Dimi couldn't work the charm again, looking like game over.

6) Monkhouse. What was he thinking about? Charged in recklessly, knew as soon as I saw it he was in bother, then got stroppy with the Dale player that admittedly tried the same thing on him. Deserved to go for the challenge alone. Their guy going was a bonus, but by this point the ref had lost whatever control he might have had.....

Overall, we can't really say we were robbed by the ref (though he wasn't great), we were robbed by ourselves - until Porter came on no-one looked capable of putting in a real telling pass, finishing overall was poor, and so was the crossing. Plenty of effort, we needed a touch more quality though. Rochdale looked a decent outfit, thought after some of their recent results that this would be a hard game and so it proved - they were generally well organised, and I won't be surprised if they're challenging at the top end next year....

Our game was poor in the first half with Wrexham seeing a lot of the ball. 2nd half and we improved, although not dramatically other than a 15 minute spell where we passed the ball on the floor and took control of midfield. Wright beat two players and cut in to shoot, the keeper parried to the feet of Ishy some 10 yards out and he hit a sweet shot into the top left hand corner.

Wrexham came out and attacked but nothing of concern really and we saw time out.

Nicely poised for next week: Swindon need something, but goal difference is in their favour. Rovers need a win to be sure and they won't want to face a 2 legged duel with MK in the playoffs.....

Game on!

I agree with that assessment Mr Albatross.

Against two quick in-form strikers I couldn't understand why he didn't put Lidds into the back four and bring in Sweens. Tinks was as impressive today as he was at Tranmere.

Then losing and early goal and Nelse was a massive blow.

What Monkhouse was doing I don't know. He totally deserved the straight red and will be embarrassed when he sees it again. I always got the impression his tempremant was on the edge and he needs a strong talking to.

The fans were fantastic today and at time really lifted the players. We need to give the same support next week with Swindon needing a result against Walsall.

Cant disagree with that Albatross, I actually thought Tinks got better when Nelson went off injured, Got better as the game on, But I do agree with Liddle at Centre Half from the start alongside Nelse!

Fans were amazing today & Still sung when 2 Nil down & To that I salute all 3,500 of them

Ref was shocking today & With regards to it not being his fault, It being ours I agree to an extent, But the pitch was shocking today and at times we had to take 2 or 3 touches to control the ball, Which played into Rochdale's hands
and Irony at its worst they used forks on the pitch AFTER the game

The one reason I think the Ref was shocking - Porters Yellow, How was that a Yellow?

Agree with Stupoolie, tinks did improve after nelse went off, but he isn't a centre back and was surprised when he started

I thought the ref handled the game pretty well, especially the Monkhouse incident. The only thing he got wrong was Joel's booking. I haven't seen the pens yet on Sky but he seemed pretty well placed to make the awards.

The pitch was poor and all of Pools players wanted to take one or two extra touches to avoid a bobble. Perhaps they need to practise on some poor pitches when they're going to rugby grounds.

Isn't Clark banned for next week
Thought straight reds were three games

joels booking was for dissent have it on video thought the ref just wanted a word with him 5 times he asked joel to come over in the end pulled the card,,,

5 times, thats just laziness

would agree apart fron foley starting especailly in midfield. personally if fit I'd play hignett,otherwise I think wilson will start bullock.
I'd also stick mackay on the bench.

monkhouse is a game one and although we could do with out him getting sent off i like players with a bit of fight in them

What he did was stupid but like you I like players with a bit of fight in them and it does show is how much playing for Pools means to him and he could not take a defeat.

I've been shot at for saying this on the train, but I would play this team next week:

Dimi
Barron Clark D.Williams Humphreys
Brown Liddle Boland Sweeney
Porter Eiffion

Subs
Provett, Foley, Bullock, Tinkler, Darrell Clarke

suits me

Don't agree. If the team means so much to Andy his first objective should be to get results, not get himself sent off for fighting. Now we have a crucial game without him.

both of us have criticised the sending off and for being stupid

both of us have lauded him for having some spirit

you dont agree with that?!?!?!

yes hes missing a crucial game and a crucial player he is

but i'd rather have a loose cannon than a right soft 1/2 hearted fanny in the team anyfookinday

I have to say that from the brief clips on the Championship this morning, it looked as if the team has lost its way. Monkhouse behaved like a maniac for the sending off. I think cool heads are required before the next game otherwise you'll be handing us the title on a plate.

exactly stoopid challenge but go down fighting!

just wish he'd clobbered that blonde number 16 - best player by a mile for them

Well, I'd rather have neither. Most of the other players seem to manage to avoid both extremes.
Andy's a great asset but he needs to learn how to control himself

Bob Newton, John Bird and Billy Ayre got away with whacking opponents for years!! Different game, different era with loads of tv cameras there now though!!!!!

la di da di da di da

it's never gona happen "grabec" and for too long now we've had too many shirkers - again wrong time n place, he has been pivotal to our success this season and will be sorely missed come saturday.

as for most of the rest of the players you can't fault em - see williams v wiliams 1st half for e.g. of spirit.

I know he's been pivotal to our success this season.....but not because of
his lunges or random attacks

I'm sure he's spent the last 24 hours beating himself up. I'm equally sure he doesn't need any help doing it. Pumped up sportmen full of adrenalin sometimes aren't the model of self restraint as the leagues red card register will demonstrate, as will the history of the game. His biggest punishment is that his seasons over. He's paying in spades.