HARTLEPOOL UNITED boss Craig Harrison has moved to plug his defensive gap and problems by landing Keith Watson.

The St Johnstone centre-half has moved on a half-season loan from the Scottish Premiership.

Injury curtailed the 27-year-old’s season last time out, but he was a regular in the Dundee Untied side until 2015, making 123 outings.

Pools will be without Louis Laing for the next three weeks after he suffered a hamstring injury last weekend at Bromley.

And his direct replacement, Liam Donnelly, will be involved today before missing the next two games while on duty with Northern Ireland Under-21s.

Pools have been something of a soft touch so far, giving away goals because of simple defensive mistakes and Harrison hopes Watson’s experience will help turn a stuttering season around.

Five games in and Pools only have two points. They go to Guiseley on Monday after meeting AFC Flyde today.

“We were all disappointed, but the word used around the camp more than any another the last few weeks has been frustration,’’ said Harrison.

“It’s about working hard on the training ground and remaining positive. We have been the better team by far in games so far.

“A- you have to score when on top and B – if you don’t then keep a clean sheet. A combination of both isn’t a good one, we have to be more ruthless at both ends.’’

He added: “A full week on the training ground without a midweek game is a good thing for us. It gives me the chance to spend a full week on the training pitches with the players.

“We work on things we feel we need to work on. We have worked on the last two thirds of the field – we have to defend better and score more goals too.

“The chances we have had, we need to convert pressure into opportunities. On Saturday we had a couple of decent chances before they scored and one in the second-half. In previous games we have created good opportunities to score a goal.

“The lads were frustrated last weekend and in the changing room the comments were all about frustration – one attack and they scored.

“We are sure it will click. There’s a great set of lads here, we have spoke a lot, had meetings and reviewed games in units and groups and there’s a disappointment we haven’t done better.’’

Pools, who have confirmed the departure of operations director Mark Burrows, have lost one and drew one at home this season. A positive outcome and performance is essential today at Victoria Park.

“We have two games in three days,’’ said Harrison. “By Monday it could look a lot different. In this league a decent week or two and you are right back in it. A good period, nine or 12 points, makes a difference.

“We have to score first and not give them away, we haven’t given ourselves a base to work from. Chester at home we bossed it from the second minute to the end and gave ourselves a bit too much to do.

“Against Flyde we have to impose ourselves and I know a couple of their players really well as well as their manager – it’s important we start well and get confidence up. Chester, without giving a first-minute goal away, we were positive going forward in the way we want to play.''