NEALE Cooper has been left bemused by Sunderland's pre-match opinion of Hartlepool United.

The sides meet at the Stadium of Light tomorrow in the third round of the FA Cup, with Pool more than hopeful of causing an upset.

Sunderland believe they are in for a battle royal, after goalkeeper Mart Poom admitted: "I'll be honest and say I do not know too much about Hartlepool, what I do know is that they are a team like Rotherham. They like to play the long ball and they are a strong, physical side.''

But Cooper, whose side have yet to drop out of the top half of the Division Two table this season, is mystified by Poom's claims.

Pool have won many admirers this season for their passing game - and Cooper feels long-ball football is not part of his side's armoury.

"If you come and watch us play, we don't play that way,'' he said. "We don't have anyone in the team like that.

"They maybe have Jason McAteer who can boss the middle of the park. But us? I would say that looking at the season we are not an over-physical side at all, we don't have the players to do that.

"We have players who like to pass the ball. At times, you know you have to whack it and close down people quickly.

"There's Mark Tinkler, if anyone, but he is not an over-physical player. He has a presence for us in the middle, but Gavin Strachan is a passer, Ritchie Humphreys is a player who likes to get the ball down, Chris Shuker is a ball player.

"We don't play the long ball game - it's not for us. There's times away from home when you have to change the system and get the ball behind teams, but that's all.

"We went to Queen's Park Rangers, lost 4-1 and were one of the few teams to go there and try and play football - for ten minutes they battered us and scored three, but we try and play it around.''

Cooper has nothing but respect for Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy, labelling his counterpart "a gentleman".

While Cooper played for Rangers in the late 80s, McCarthy spent time at Celtic, but there's no rivalry and the pair have struck up a friendship during their time in the North-East.

He said: "He is a very nice man, who I get on well with. I've met him a few times and as a person he is one of the nicest you could meet.

"I'm sure that after Saturday if I need any help or advice on players he will be available for me.''

Tomorrow will see the biggest away support in Pool's history, as over 9,000 fans head for Wearside. Some 44 coaches will leave the town after selling out their allocation.

Pool were entitled to just over 7,000 tickets, a 15per cent share of the Stadium of Light capacity but were allocated 10,000. However, on police advice this was reduced to under 9,200 - and all tickets were sold by New Year's Eve.

The Pool fans will create largest away support recorded at the Stadium of Light. The current best is the near 7,000 West Ham fans who visited for the FA Cup 5th round tie in January 2001.

But Cooper, a four-time Scottish Cup winner with Aberdeen, admits he is not surprised by the huge following and said: "The supporters have been brilliant this season, particularly in away games.

"From the first game at Peterborough they have been fantastic, getting behind us and that support has helped us.

"At Oldham on Sunday it was like we were the home team at times, the way we were knocking the ball about, and the noise our fans were making.

"Hopefully they can continue at Sunderland, It is going to be a big day for the fans, the town and the club.''

Cooper was instantly taken in by the Pool fans, his bubbly touchline manner a world away from predecessor Mike Newell.

"I got the buzz to get back into the game, but it was difficult because I didn't know anyone here, I was on my own,'' he said.

"But from day one, everyone has been so welcoming.

"I knew when I got the job that at one point last season they were 14 points clear and then lost the title. Maybe it got to the point where people thought they had got there after going so far ahead.

"I know Mike briefly from his time at Aberdeen, I don't know him that well but I got on alright with him and I got on with Chris Turner as well.

"For me to get the opportunity here after seeing what they had already done so well was a great honour. I wasn't in the five favourites in any of the newspapers and I think that's what surprised everyone.''

He added: "I'm loving every minute of it here, I love it in the North-East. The people are very much like the Scottish people and I am very grateful for the chance to be this club's manager.

"I think we have surprised a lot of teams with where we are right now. I've got a tremendous bunch of boys here to work with and I can honestly say I have had no problems with them.

"There are no big-time Charlies at this club.

"When Marco Gabbiadini came in he could possible have been one, given what he has done in football, but he has been a great help to me and the younger boys too.''

Read more about Hartlepool here.