MICK Wadsworth won't be going anywhere near the panic button and wants a sense of realism around his Hartlepool United side this week.

Saturday's home defeat by Wycombe was Pools' third in a row and the performance was as poor as it was unexpected.

Wadsworth played a 3-5-2 set-up but changed to a regulation 4-4-2 after a poor opening half.

They did create more in the second period as they chased the game and he said: "I'm a realist and have been here too many times to get worried. I know what we need to do to get back to winning ways.

"We don't panic and start throwing the baby out of the bathwater, we stay measured and focused.

"Yes, we changed formation this week and the players have been terrific with it in training. The way we were playing in training gave great hope and we didn't see that coming.

"The fundamentals still have to be there, the pressing, blocking and all that side of it, marking, covering. They are what wins football matches whether you boot it 60 yards or pass it five yards.

"It was a bold try to play a more measured game in terms of bringing the ball out of the back and it worked at times, but you have to finish it with a shot or a goal.

"On two occasions from us being in good situations, they scored a goal. Now a lot of things have to happen from there to there to there, but I don't think we defended as a team. We didn't play as well as we can, as well as we should, as well as we will do.''

Wadsworth was on the end of terrace anger when he replaced James Poole in the second half.

Sections of the crowd vented their frustrations and the coach said: "The reaction to Pooley was ridiculous.

"I understand the frustration but it has worked both ways as we have brought him on for games and he has won them for us. He had three, four chances and if he had taken one he's a hero and he may have got another one if he had stayed on.

"But the fans have been fantastic with us and I understand the frustrations. Win the next game and they will be fantastic with me again. I understand that and I'm not stupid.

"But as a group I thought it was a bit unfair because we had to try something.

"We had two strikers on the bench and it's worked before bringing new strikers on to win a game here and there, but it has to work both ways.''