SEVEN DAYS ago and Jack Compton was out of the Hartlepool United picture. Then suddenly, after a blast from his boss and team-mates he’s back in the frame and produces a stellar performance.

The winger missed the trip to Portsmouth, sat at home and was accused by his team-mates of mocking their efforts after posting on Twitter during the game.

So Compton – or Marmite as Ronnie Moore calls him “you either love him or hate him” – is berated by the squad and management.

A recall looked a million miles away. Instead, Moore gave him a platform to prove himself.

He took it well, causing Northampton endless problems all night as Pools won their third successive home game on Tuesday night.

"I don't expect the players to get me a card and thank me for leaving them out, I expect them to be upset but not moping about like Marmite - he is a one-off is Jack,’’ said Moore. "He needs a sugar lump more than anything, it is knowing your players.

"Even the big lads need a dummy and a pat on the back sometimes, it is human nature. You just have to know how to turn them on.

"What makes them tick and how do you get them angry for a Saturday or Tuesday night?’’

On Monday, Moore and his squad had a team meeting, with plenty of issues raised. Compton, who could have left for Bristol Rovers in a swop deal for Andy Monkhouse on transfer deadline day, at the forefront of it all.

Moore said: "We had a meeting in front of everybody, the players all know that. A lot of managers have a one to one and I do occasionally but if they are doing things wrong then the whole group needs to know.

"If you are not doing your job then why should I just have a word with you about it? The players aren't daft, they know.

"I didn't tell Jack he was playing, we had a set to and words were said and then when the players came in and saw the board with the team named on it.

"They probably thought, why is Jack playing? And the lad who has been brilliant at centre half (Dan Jones) is on the bench.'

"But it puts fear into them as well, they all know I'm not frightened to leave any of them out.’’

And so Moore’s man management masterstroke worked.

"I said to him there is the opportunity, go and show the group why you think you are such a good player,’’ said the boss.

"That is what we need, it is all right tweeting people about no shots on target, you go and do it.

"And to be fair he had umpteen shots against Northampton - that is the way to handle him. Don't molly coddle him, if you do, you lose him.

"Nobody wants to be pointed out in front of everybody but it needed saying.

"We got the response we needed."

Moore had seven players in for treatment yesterday, with Scott Fenwick (ankle) and Matthew Bates (dead leg) set to miss out tomorrow.

Michael Duckworth and Scott Flinders are also doubts.

Moore said: "Duckworth phoned in this morning saying his hamstring is tight, he will be fined for that.

"If his hamstring is tight then he could have been in for treatment on Wednesday unless he has overstretched in bed and done it.

"You can’t have a day off and then phone in injured, that is not very professional in my eyes and he knows he should have done that.

"Scott Flinders is in there as well, he is a bit sore.’’

Midfielder Tommy Miller made his return from injury in Wednesday evening’s reserve defeat to Hull, but tomorrow comes too soon.

Moore also looked at two trialists, and is keen on Ebby Nelson-Addy, but and Shepherd Murombedzi won’t be staying.

“Ebby did well and was decent on the ball, he has a bit of pace too,’’ said Moore.

"I will have a word with his agent and see what they are looking at and where we can go with him.

"He has been at the club a week.

"He is very quick, can play wide right or down the middle and he did well in the reserves.

"He played for Brackley on Tuesday night for an hour and then 90 minutes for us the day after - it shows he is keen and he was our best player.’’