NEALE COOPER has revealed Hartlepool United have been putting in extra work on the training pitch as they bid to call a halt to their nine-game losing streak at Victoria Park.
Pool fans have not seen their side pick up a point on home turf since September 17, witnessing eight league defeats and an FA Cup exit over the last four months, but will be hoping for a change of fortunes as Rochdale visit this afternoon.
That home record ultimately cost Mick Wadsworth his job as Pool boss last month, with Cooper returning to Victoria Park to take charge ten days ago.
He has overseen two games so far, both of which ended in defeat, and in the wake of Monday’s 2-1 home reverse against Scunthorpe he cancelled the players’ scheduled day-off this week to try and put right some of his side’s failings.
Cooper (below) said: “Monday’s game has gone now and it was great to get back out there on the training pitch.
“We have done a good few sessions this week since then – I called the lads in on what was meant to be a day- ff because we needed to do some work.
“It was not a punishment really, but I explained to the lads when they perform well they will get their just rewards and they agreed with that.
“I have to say the response has been excellent.
“They have trained very well and we have been able to work on a few things to help us tighten up at the back – but also hopefully create a bit more going forward. They are good enough, I promise you that, but now the important thing is to take that work from the training ground and produce it on a Saturday.”
Second-bottom Dale sacked manager Chris Eyre just before Christmas.
However, caretaker-boss Chris Beech has brought in a trio of loan signings already this month, with West Ham goalkeeper Peter Kurucz and Blackpool frontmen Brett Ormerod and Daniel Bogdanovic joining the cause.
Coope, whose side have slipped to 17th in League One, added: “They have added players which will give them a lift, but at home we have to become a major force. We will need a wee bit of luck but if we put in the hard work and have a bit more composure and better quality in front of goal then hopefully the right result will happen.
“We have to forget about any nervousness and just get out there and fight together as a team and get the result which is required.”
Cooper will make late decisions on the fitness of skipper Sam Collins and striker James Poole.
Collins missed the Scunthorpe game with a foot injury, while Poole has missed the last two matches with a hamstring problem.
Former Sunderland and Liverpool Stephen Wright is still out of action with an Achilles injury and Colin Nish is still somewhat short of fitness despite returning to training after recovering from knee surgery.
