Murray given an early insight to Pools' failings

THREE minutes in and Paul Murray took a touch to control and pass the ball back to Scott Harrison.

It was a rare successful passage of first-half play for Hartlepool United, under Murray’s stewardship for the first time. Shame the new manager was only unable to influence from the touchline.

Appointed on Thursday, Murray was in control of Pools at Cambridge and, in the opening half as he watched on from the technical area, if he didn’t know what he had let himself in for in taking on his first managerial job, he soon had his eyes open.

Tracksuited and alert, Murray was studious in his manner; watching, cajoling, encouraging his players.

Pools were under pressure from the first whistle, as Cambridge – in their best display of the season according to boss Richard Money – steamrollered Murray’s new side.

“It’s been different for me, very different and it’s hard because there’s a stage in the game when I wanted to be out there, doing it myself. But that comes with experience,’’ he reflected.

Murray the player would have enjoyed the battle, Pools needed someone of his ilk to stick their foot in and pass the ball.

Pools weren’t allowed to do that as they were swamped. The surprise was that the Us only scored one, although their pressure and possession didn’t lead to many openings.

Second-half, however, and after his first half-time managerial team talk, Pools were transformed.

With Marlon Harewood introduced, the striker started as if he had a point to prove after being in the squad for the first time since Colin Cooper’s finale three weeks earlier.

They levelled through Bradley Walker, refreshed and back on his game in the second half, but lost it in the closing minutes.

Harrison Dunk’s header slammed Pools bottom of the table. At least for Murray as Pools start anew, there’s a full week on the training ground, giving Murray and coach Willie Donachie the chance to implement their methods and means.

“There’s positives for sure – attitude and application was great and there was some good passages of play,’’ said Murray.

“We’ve a week ahead to come, games to watch on Monday and Tuesday and homework to do on everyone as well. I’m just pleased we have a full week on the training ground ahead.

“I learned a lot about the players, I learned that the first half wasn’t good enough obviously, I learned the second half proved it was what they should have done first-half. Concentration is another huge thing, the lads have to believe and they have to believe the second-half performance is what will get us out of this situation.’’

Pools started with a 4-3-3 set-up, but changed to 4-4-2 as soon as Cambridge went in front. Ryan Donaldson spent time on loan as Pools in his Newcastle days as a disinterested teenager. On Saturday he got in behind Sam Collins and swept his finish confidently home.

Collins spoke last week, when he was caretaker boss, of the need for players to win their battles, be committed and put their bodies on the line.

He lived up to his words and, as strong and dominant Steve McNulty was for Luton against Pools a week earlier, Collins was equally imperious.

Immediately after his introduction, Harewood chased lost causes and put himself about. A welcome sight.

And Pools’ leveller came when Matt Crooks won possession, Harewood teed the ball up and Walker lashed home.

A raking shot from 25 yards showed Walker’s intent before scoring and he moved about like the player of last year.

Murray said: “Brad Walker, I pulled him to one side and said we needed to see what he was made of and I know what qualities he has.’’

But once Pools levelled, the game was more even and Pools lost it at the end.

As they turned to face the crowd as they left the pitch, at least there was promise and hope. If Murray can get Pools showing the same characteristics he did as a player, they can get out of this mess.

Self-belief is a short commodity right now and Murray admitted: “The only way to get confidence is to work hard, that will get you back in that mode and that’s what we are aiming for and we will work at it in training next week.

“But it’s about believing and when you are down the bottom you don’t expect to come here and get three points.

“But we have try and install that outlook in their minds. Maybe at the end they are thinking ‘we’ve got a great point here’ – but you can’t think like that and that’s what happened.

“We can’t have it again – that’s a big lesson.

“It’s an important week, a free week to get my ideas across. I’ve only had a couple of days, but changed a few things and it’s about baby steps.

“But I’m looking forward to it.’’