Pools must end season on a high

As Hartlepool United's season whimpers its way towards a close, the consolation for fans frustrated by the inconsistency and shortage of goals that have featured most of 2011-12 is that at least they are safe, without any of the old worries about relegation.

They go to Tranmere this weekend before the last home game of the campaign against Leyton Orient on April 28 followed by the grand finale at Charlton on May 5 when the Londoners will be celebrating winning the league one title.

Pools can afford to lose both the away games, and they will still have an excellent record on the road this season.

But the Orient match, against a side with relegation worries like those Pools have had in some recent seasons, is absolutely vital.

The result and the performance could have a major bearing on the way season tickets sales go after Pools announced this year’s bargain £150 price.

It’s important that Pools sign off their campaign on a high, and it would be nothing short of a disaster if they were to repeat the form and result they put on last weekend at home to Chesterfield.

Losing that, and the manner in which they lost, left boss Neale cooper angry and the fans just as mad.

Cooper told the Hartlepool Mail: “This team needs four or five players to freshen things up – it’s a bit stale at times. Hopefully come the summer I can do that.”

The fans will be just as keen for him toi succeed during the summer.