Pools can't get off the League One see-saw

They sell pies and chips at the Victoria Park refreshment outlets on match days … they should think about adding seasickness tablets to the list as fans struggle to cope with the see-saw ride the team is giving them this season. The latest dose of ups and downs on Tuesday night was typical – good performance, bad result.

Promotion-chasing Huddersfield won 1-0, taking revenge for a home defeat by the same score against Pools on Boxing Day, but Mick Wadsworth says he was pleased with the team’s performance and proud of the players.
The winning goal came as early as the 11^th minute when Pools should have had a free-kick after Steve Haslam appeared to take a kick to the head as he tried to clear, but play was waved on and Antony Pilkington scored with a low shot.
The goal gave Town the edge for much of the first half, when they looked well worth their lead.
But in the second half, Pools gradually took hold of the game and on the pitch and on the touchline Huddersfield showed the sort of professionalism that wins games, but loses friends as they held their lead.
Wadsworth told the Northern Echo: "We are frustrated, I try not to get involved when I see antics in dugouts. I'm a big believer in sportsmanship, I'm desperate to win like the next guy, but you have to act with some integrity.
"It's a frustrating game and it was difficult for the referee in the end.''
But he was happy with a lot of other things. He added: "In terms of balance of the game, I'm proud of the players. We took three points out of them earlier this season, they took points from us tonight - but our points were more valuable to us, they are expected to win every game and get promotion.
"We had to be compact and hold a high line, win the loose balls, second balls and the like.
"That's what we said at half-time and that's a platform for any team - Chelsea, Barcelona or little old Hartlepool. When we did that we created fantastic opportunities without scoring.
"We didn't take our chances and it's been a problem at times. In terms of balance of the game, I'm proud of the players.''
The problem is that before the game Wadsworth made the error of mentioning the play-offs in the same breath as he mentioned Pools.
As long as the see-saw keeps going, his dream won’t come true.
But at least they are still in mid-table and even if they can’t stop the see-saw, they remain closer to the top than the bottom of the table. They need to be on one of their ups when Brentford visit the Vic at the weekend.