Pools owe Vic fans a Cup run

Hartlepool United have more home fans this season than they have had for years, thanks to their summer season ticket initiative, but the team still has some of the old bad habits, like letting the supporters down at Victoria Park. 

Transformed from the worst-supported team in League One to well above the average thanks to the response to the cut-price tickets sale, Pools needed to respond to the surge in interest in home games.

But after a promising start, they have failed to do that and defeats in their last four home games have caused cracks to appear in the team’s relationship with the crowd.

So Saturday’s FA Cup first round home game against Stevenage is a perfect chance for them to restore the balance a little, and after early exits from two other cup competitions, the club could do with the income a good run can earn.

Pools managed to look more like their old selves in last weekend’s welcome 1-1 draw at Leyton Orient, and boss Mick Wadsworth told the Northern Echo: "We have to give our fans something to shout about at home because we have let them down badly recently.

"It's very important to start that with the Cup game and show we are a decent team.

"The performance at Orient was positive and we gave the supporters some hope and showed we are a decent team on the back of last Saturday's disappointment.

"We are back on track hopefully and we've had some fantastic results away from home especially and now it's something to build on.''

Antony Sweeney returned after injury to play a part in the Orient result, and midfield partner Nobby Solano could also be back for this weekend, which could be good timing as Paul Murray will be suspended after being sent off at Brisbane Road.

Pools drew at Stevenage in a League One game earlier in the season, but the visitors are no pushovers and Pools need to be at their best to avoid yet another home humiliation.