Unhappy Cooper ready to swoop for new blood

Cooper was unhappy with the performance of some of his squad players in Saturday's 3-1 home loss to Sheffield Wednesday.

While former Pool boss Chris Turner fielded a largely second XI as he returned to Victoria Park for the first time since moving to Hillsborough last November, his team were rarely troubled as Pool struggled to make an impression.

And after failing to make an impression on Cooper, bolstering his squad is a priority for the Pool chief ahead of the opener at Peterborough on August 9.

Trialists Richard Hope and Paul Robinson are likely to be the first to sign this week, with more to follow.

Pool were lacklustre in the first-half and it was only when teenage midfielder Tony Sweeney appeared in place of Adam Boyd in the second half that the home side found any rhythm.

"This was an opportunity for one or two players to put pressure on the first team - but they let themselves down at times,'' said Cooper.

"I didn't want to play Sweeney at all because he has played in a lot of the other games, but showed what I am looking for in terms of attitude and commitment and I told him that in the changing room.

"Some of them have to look at him and see what he is giving us. He is a young boy and sets the example.

"In midfield we were missing in the first-half at times. I don't want to have to give that responsibility to young players, it's a lot to put on them and yet Matty Robson, Sweeney and Steven Istead came on and brightened things up.

"We've got players to look at and we will step things up this week.''

In front of a paltry crowd - £9 admission put plenty of people off - Pool's team was made up of trialists and squad players, five of the home starting XI were signed by Turner during his time at Victoria Park, with a further three coming through the youth ranks.

Lloyd Owusu put Turner's side in front on 12 minutes. Grant Holt was put through and when his shot was blocked by Jon Bass, he collected the ball and crossed into the penalty area for his strike partner to head home.

And 60 seconds later the lead was doubled. Trialist Terry Cooke crossed and found the head of Paul McLaren in the six-yard box.

Pool were back in the game thanks to a howler from burly goalkeeper Kevin Pressman.

Untroubled throughout the game, he was beaten by a speculative Kevin Henderson effort. Well inside his own half, Henderson lofted the ball over the back line in search of Marcus Richardson and as Pressman came to the edge of his area to collect, a high bounce flew over his head and into the unguarded net.

Wednesday's third came after a mistake from the keeper at the other end.

Pool's Jim Provett spilled Owusu's shot and the striker collected the loose ball and teed up Craig Armstrong to fire in from close range.

Pool: Provett, Bass, Wilkinson, Westwood, Robinson (Moore 84), Rasmussen (Easter 60), Boyd (Sweeney 46), Arnison, Dimas (Robson 60), Henderson (Istead 72), Richardson. Subs: Williams, Easter, Robson, Moore.

Wednesday: Pressman, Geary, Bromby, Wood, Beswetherick, Cooke, Strachan (Evans 69), McLaren, Armstrong, Holt, Owusu (Shaw 84). Subs: Ogden, Shaw, Foster, Wilson.

* Pool go to Berwick tomorrow where a similar team to Saturday's will run out, and on Wednesday at Billingham Town (kick-off 6.45) where Cooper will field a first team.

* Turner will today sign two former North-East favourites to boost his assault on Division Two. Ex-Middlesbrough midfielder Robbie Mustoe and former Pool striker Gordon Watson will put pen to paper after impressing on trial.

Turner said: "They've both done very well in the last few weeks and they are exactly what we are looking for. Everything should be done on Monday.

"We had to bring Gordon in on trial to show the fans what he is all about and so he could prove himself to them - and they love him.

"He was with Wednesday a few years ago, but he is a different player. He will score plenty of goals for us next season.''

Hartlepool 1 Sheffield Wednesday 3.

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