Pool need to sharpen

Pool failed to click into gear until the second period against Walsall on Saturday, coming back from a goal down to draw.

It's happened in both home games this season and Nelson admitted: "The second half was a lot better and we started slow in the first half, then we went a goal down and they sat five across midfield to make it tight for us to try and break them down.

"Last season we were terrible for 90 minutes against Walsall, at least it was just 45 this time around.

"But then we came back out, took the game to them and they very rarely got out of their half of the pitch.

"We created a lot of chances but only took one of them. It was a little bit disappointing that we didn't cause them as many problems at set-pieces, because we thought we would do.

"The height we have in the side should have made a difference, but it didn't and it's very disappointing.

"Then they go and score from a set-piece and of course it had to be Westy didn't it?

"He had a bit of a scoring run last season when he was banging them in for us at home and now he goes and does it for them against us.''

Nelson and Westwood forged an impeccable understanding at the heart of the Pool back line for two seasons and the big defender admits the Walsall stopper was his ideal partner.

"Losing Westy was a blow for us all during the summer,'' said Nelson. "He was really settled at the club and I enjoyed two good seasons in there with him in defence.

"Now it's up to me and Neill Collins to form the same type of understanding. He's a big strong lad and we've played a couple of games together in there. We kept a clean sheet at Doncaster, but unfortunately we've been done on a set-piece this week.

"But, apart from that, I think we looked quite solid. He was away with Scotland during the week, so we missed a few days training together, which would have helped us, but hopefully we can carry things on and progress.''

* Tomorrow's game with Darlington is all-ticket.