Hartlepool United's defensive issues assessed and how Dave Challinor will look to address them ahead of FA Cup tie at Salford City

Hartlepool United currently have just one fit central defender going into Saturday’s FA Cup first round tie against League Two Salford City (3pm kick-off).
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It’s a problem that needs to be addressed one way or another. But with a limited budget and little time, Dave Challinor’s options are lacking.

Gary Liddle is set to be sidelined for at least the next two matches with a recurring groin problem while fellow centre-back Timi Odusina has been ruled out of Saturday’s cup tie following a hamstring injury picked up during Saturday’s 5-0 defeat against Torquay United.

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And with Aaron Cunningham unable to be recalled from his loan at Blyth Spartans until January, it leaves Ryan Johnson as the side’s only recognised central-defender going into what will arguably be their toughest test of the season against EFL opposition.

Hartlepool United's David Parkhouse celebrates after scoring their first goal during the Vanarama National League match between Hartlepool United and Altrincham at Victoria Park, Hartlepool on Tuesday 27th October 2020. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News)Hartlepool United's David Parkhouse celebrates after scoring their first goal during the Vanarama National League match between Hartlepool United and Altrincham at Victoria Park, Hartlepool on Tuesday 27th October 2020. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News)
Hartlepool United's David Parkhouse celebrates after scoring their first goal during the Vanarama National League match between Hartlepool United and Altrincham at Victoria Park, Hartlepool on Tuesday 27th October 2020. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News)

And with £16,972 up for grabs for the winner, the Pools boss will be desperate to get his back-line in order in time for Saturday.

Here are his options, although only one is likely to address the issue...

Stick

The least preferred but most manageable option would be to stick with the back four that ended Saturday’s humbling at the hands of Torquay.

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Captain Ryan Donaldson slotted in at right-back with Lewis Cass and Johnson in the middle and David Ferguson on the left.

It was a defensive line that struggled badly against a National League side so throwing them in against a strong League Two outfit is asking for trouble.

Ferguson is clearly a very good attacking full-back but he is more attack-minded than defensive at times.

Challinor has stated that Donaldson and Cass ‘can do a job’ for the team at right-back and centre-back respectively, but they would never be seen as anything more than a back-up in those positions.

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Cass was brought in on loan from Newcastle United as a right-back who is capable of playing centre-half. But the 20-year-old’s unsuccessful partnership with Johnson last weekend has left Challinor reluctant to gamble with playing the pair together at Moor Lane – at least not in a back four.

Change formation

A shift to a three centre-backs could help players like Johnson and Cass in the middle, but without Odusina or Liddle available, a change in formation is unlikely unless reinforcements are acquired.

There’s currently no other senior player who would be suited to playing as a central-defender so – unless Challinor can conjure a John Rowlands-esque transformation out of Mason Bloomfield – there’s only one realistic option.

Bring a player in

“We have to bring someone in,” Challinor said following the full-time whistle on Saturday. Over half a week later and we’re still waiting on a new arrival.

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Despite the club receiving £95,000 from the National Lottery support package last week and raising over £60,000 as part of a budget boosting campaign, Challinor has said there is little room available in his budget to bring any more players in permanently.

As a result, the Pools boss will have to look at potential short term loans to help patch things up for the time being.

It remains likely that there will be at least one new player through the doors before this weekend as they can expect to be thrown straight in at the deep end against EFL opposition.

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