Back to the serious business

Ask any Poolie and they would probably swap the glamour of the TV Cup tie with Blyth Spartans for three points at Roots Hall ..

The FA Cup may well put a few bob in the coffers.

However, staying in the Football League is the overriding priority, and Paul Murray and his team must be focused on getting their sleeves rolled up against a side which has experienced a sudden dip in form.

Phil Brown's team has won only one of their last seven games and went out of the cup at home to non-league Chester last week. They will see the arrival of the bottom club as their golden chance to get things back on track.

Pools can call on two players who aren't distracted by the cup. Charlie Wyke and Scott Harrison are not being allowed by Boro and Sunderland to get themselves cup-tied so they will come into the side refreshed.

There will also almost certainly be a role for new signing Scott Fenwick who may well start on the bench.

The side is looking stronger - even if Paul Murray's ambition to bring in a further three players has not yet yielded any results.