THEY came to watch Luke James, but most left Victoria Park on Saturday singing the praises of a footballer at the opposite end of the spectrum.
James’ astonishing impact since being given a chance in the Hartlepool United side attracted 21 scouts to Victoria Park on Saturday, Newcastle reserve coach Peter Beardsley amongst them.
But the 17-year-old was quiet, subdued by some tight Bournemouth defending.
And, so it was a 35-year-old midfielder who caught the eye and took home the man of the match champagne.
Paul Murray expected this season to be his last in football. After Saturday’s display it’s hard to see how Pool could cope without his steadying influence.
The former Carlisle man was instrumental in extending Pool’s unbeaten run of games to five.
This game never really took off, as the sides cancelled each other out and, while the visitors have shelled out around a million pounds in transfer fees of late, it was the free transfer from Shrewsbury who was the game’s stand-out performer.
“The gaffer has come in and we’re a bit more resolute now, ” said Murray. “On the pitch I’m feeling confident we’ll keep a clean sheet.
“I was disappointed I did not get more of the ball but you’ve got to do the dogged stuff, and that’s what I’ve been doing of late.
“I enjoyed it and I still enjoy it, all the running about. I’ve got to take some credit myself for the clean sheets as I’m part of that back six.”
Murray, expected to face Preston tomorrow night, added: “The gaffer pats the lads on the back all of the time and he deserves that pat on the back as well.
“I said to him the other day that we’re looking more confident in training, we’re looking more relaxed and we’re obviously playing for him.”
While Pool were resolute at the back, they didn’t offer much going forward and chances were scarce.
James had one early header at goal, but didn’t look like repeating his two-goal heroics against Carlisle in Pool’s last game.
“Luke was up against two good defenders and he knows he struggled a bit, ” said Cooper. “At that age he will be up and down and he came in afterwards and was honest about it, he had an off-day and will learn from it.”
The Cherries had a couple of half chances before half-time, but Pool defended well against £800,000 striker Matt Tubbs.
HARTLEPOOL: Flinders, Austin, Hartley, Collins, Horwood, Sweeney, Liddle, Murray, Monkhouse, James (Nish 70), Brown. Subs (not used): Rafferty, Humphreys, Haslam, Baldwin.
Booked: Austin, James, Liddle.
BOURNEMOUTH: FLAHAVAN, Francis, Cook, Zubar, Daniels, Pugh, Gregory, MacDonald (Arter 63), Malone (McDermott 62), Tubbs, Wesley Thomas (Fletcher 82). Subs (not used): Dan Thomas, Purches.
Attendance: 4,548 Referee: Craig Pawson (South Yorkshire).
