Opinion: Key figures at Hartlepool United must heed Pete Wild's stern warning
Pete Wild delivered a damning assessment of Hartlepool United in the aftermath of their FA Cup defeat against Marine.
Honesty really is the best policy - and Pete Wild was living proof of that statement as he assessed Hartlepool United’s FA Cup exit at the hands of National League North club Marine.
There were no excuses, no attempts to wash over another low point in a season that is becoming increasingly littered with them and despite stressing his players had impressed in spells, there was no holding back as his issued a damning verdict on where Pools stand in only the third week of his reign. Delivered with his natural enthusiasm and energy, Wild’s warning shot to key figures at every level at Victoria Park and within his dressing room felt like a reality check and one that was delivered with brutal honesty.
Cruel to be kind perhaps - but the fact Wild felt such a move was required so early in his time at Pools should set off serious alarm bells. In his own words, ‘home truths’ were spoken in the dressing room and Wild’s players were left in no doubt over how their new head coach felt - nor were the awaiting broadcast and print media as they stood in behind the tunnel at Victoria Park.
My immediate reaction to Wild’s comments were that it was admirable to hear a head coach lay everything out on the line - and in the 48 hours that have passed, that opinion has not changed because there must be a realisation of the plight Pools find themselves in. Make no bones about it, for all of the talent within the squad, the primary focus is to remain in the National League and give Wild a chance to build. Such a comment would have seemed laughable when the season began with talk of a push for promotion challenge on the back of what felt at the time like a positive summer of recruitment.
Meek response
There is talent within the Pools ranks and there are a number of players that have EFL experience under their belts. However, there is also a need for an improvement in their mentality and an inability to deal with any setbacks they suffer within games. Despite making a positive start to the game, the men in blue and white were unable to press home their advantage and that allowed Marine to settle into the contest. There was little surprise when the visitors got themselves in front - and I can’t have been the only one at Victoria Park that felt Pools would be unable to get themselves back into the game.
The final 20 minutes told us a lot about where the squad is at. Far from being forward thinking or even gung-ho in their attempts to find an equaliser and force a replay on Merseyside, Pools allowed their visitors to continue pushing forwards and, if anything, it always seemed likely Marine would grab the second goal of the game. It was a meek response from Pools - and one that was in stark contrast to Wild’s warning shot that was delivered less than half an hour after the full-time whistle. That warning must be heeded by those in power and the Pools players if matters are to improve.