NEALE Cooper won't rule out a switch in formation for his Hartlepool United side.

Pool started with a 3-5-2 line-up at Torquay on Saturday, but it was only in reverting to a 4-4-2 set-up that they looked comfortable.

Second-half goals from Joel Porter and Tony Sweeney turned the game in Pool's favour.

But Cooper refused to cite the formation and believes Pool's poor opening half-hour was solely down to the players failing to match their normal effort and workrate.

He said: "We didn't start well, simple as that. We always chase and close down teams and it didn't happen from the frontline.

"I think Adam Boyd and Joel Porter link well together, but it didn't happen at Torquay early on. We gave them too much time and space and they were picking up all the ball.

"We didn't get close enough and I spoke to Ben Clark before the game and asked if he would be able to go to left back if we had to go to a four and he was fine.

"We had to change the team for the first time in seven games, but Ben's not a bad replacement to bring in. I wanted to get him back involved.

"It doesn't matter about systems when players don't work so hard.

"What a back three we had with Ben, Westy and Nelse, but we didn't do it right.

"The only reason it didn't work is because we didn't close down and work hard. We were dragged about a little bit because of it.

"Just because we changed it around doesn't mean a lot, it's a system we can play and will play again.''

Clark played in Hugh Robertson's absence, the Scot suffering from a foot injury.

* Darrell Clarke suffered further damage to his knee on his loan debut for Stockport.

The midfielder has yet to play for Pool this season after having a knee operation and joined up with ex boss Chris Turner last week to build up his fitness.

But he hobbled off in the 32nd minute of the defeat at Luton and Turner said: "He tried to turn and has done something to his ligaments, which is bad news."

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