NEALE Cooper wants a reaction from his players – and is looking for more leaders to stand up and be counted in his Hartlepool United side.

The manager cut a furious and agitated figure in the aftermath of Tuesday’s 5-0 humiliation at Preston.

And, while his despair hadn’t abated ahead of yesterday’s training session, his anger and hurt remained to the fore.

Cooper is bewildered by his players – wondering how they can be so tight and drilled in their 1-1 draw on Saturday at Bournemouth to being as open and carefree as they were at Deepdale.

The manager is all-too aware of the consequences of such a flat display, but described tomorrow’s home game with Shrewsbury as a must-win game – and expects and demands so.

“We need a big, massive reaction,’’ he admitted. “We have let down the people of Hartlepool, for that I am so sorry. Whoever is playing on Saturday has to go and put a right shift in and we have to win this game, we have to. For the supporters and everyone connected with the club.’’ Cooper is yet to decide who will start tomorrow, but changes are widely expected in the aftermath of Tuesday.

“We need that reaction, it’s got to come. If they have any pride in themselves they will. The mentality of footballers these days is different – and that’s not me going back to prehistoric days,’’ he added.

“They’ve got to want it themselves, lead on the pitch when it’s not going well. Not just the captain, it’s the majority. I’m looking for it big time.

“How do they go from being as organised and strong as Bournemouth to being as easy to score against? A team praised to the hilt like they were to then defending like they did?’’ Striker Steve Howard is a doubt tomorrow after needing stitches in a shin wound at half-time in midweek, but he is expected to be passed fit.

“Stevie picked up a nasty cut on his shin the other night, needed stitches and went out and played. That says a lot about him,’’ said Cooper.

“Jon Franks did well the other night, with some good balls into Stevie and we were getting some joy from it and then we stopped.

“Stevie has stitches right in the middle of his shin – but there’s character there to go back out and play.’’