First start of season for Pool veteran
Aug 31 2010 by Luke Edwards, The Journal
RITCHIE Humphreys will be handed his first start of the season against Northampton Town in the first round of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy tonight.
Hartlepool are still reeling from their thrashing at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend and caretaker manager Mick Wadsworth will send out an experimental side against their League Two opponents.
Humphreys has been sidelined with knee and Achilles problems but is poised to start against the Cobblers, with caretaker boss Wadsworth set to make changes.
Pool were hammered 5-0 by Wednesday at Victoria Park on Saturday and Wadsworth is expected to give some fringe players a chance to impress.
The likes of Paul Murray, James Brown and Adam Boyd could be rested in order to recharge after the Wednesday debacle. Midfielder Fabian Yantorno could make his first start for the club, but Neil Austin (ankle) is not expected to return.
Pool defender Steve Haslam believes it is important they show a positive reaction to the weekend’s heavy home defeat. He said: “I used to play for them, it was a big occasion for me personally playing against an old team of mine, but it’s disappointing to lose.
“It’s never good to lose 5-0, it’s important we react on Tuesday and then next week. I didn’t think they really cut us open massively, but when they did they were ruthless.
“We had a bit of a gamble at half-time, Mick took off a midfielder and put an extra striker on and we were chasing the game.”
Northampton’s former Darlington striker Tadhg Purcell looks set to miss out having been stretchered off during the first half of Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Wycombe.
SOUTHAMPTON have sacked manager Alan Pardew – just two days after the team’s 4-0 win at Bristol Rovers.
The 49-year-old led the League One side to the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy in March with a 4-1 win over Carlisle and they started the season as firm favourites to achieve promotion, although one win in their first three matches leaves them 14th in the table.
