Lee Clark has assessed a possible system change for Hartlepool United as they aim to end a poor run of form away at Altrincham on Wednesday night. The manager defended his current approach in a conversation with BBC Tees Sport, pointing to a strong defensive record that has been undermined by a lack of goals.
Hartlepool's struggles were evident in a 2-0 defeat at Kidderminster Harriers on Friday. An own goal from Neo Eccleston after 35 minutes put them behind, and Callum Stewart sealed the win for the hosts late on. The result leaves Clark's side 14th in the National League with nine points from seven games, having lost four of their last five matches.
Defensive strength, attacking woes
Clark responded directly to suggestions of a tactical overhaul. "You’ve obviously been listening to social media," he told reporters. "The system’s worked, we’ve won three out of six and we’ve got the best defensive, probably not now, but the second best defensive record." The numbers support his claim on one side of the pitch. Hartlepool have conceded just six goals this season, the second-fewest in the division behind Aldershot Town.
The problem is at the other end. With only five goals scored, Hartlepool share the joint-lowest tally in the league with Gateshead. Summer signings Will Harris and Chris Popov were paired up front at Aggborough but failed to make an impact, even before Eccleston's red card reduced the team to ten men. Clark said he has four strikers available and has considered playing with two, but the issue runs deeper than formation.
Need for ruthlessness
"We have to be more ruthless," Clark stated. "But even in the first-half, eleven against eleven, I don’t think the keeper had a save to make, but that’s because we didn’t win the battles." He identified a failure to win loose balls as a key reason for the lack of clear chances. This attacking drought has seen the team manage just one win in their last five outings, a sequence detailed on the club's fixtures page.
The immediate focus shifts to a midweek trip to face National League rivals Altrincham. It represents a quick chance to respond and improve a league position that sees them eight points behind early leaders Boreham Wood. Clark's task is to find a balance between maintaining a solid defensive foundation, evidenced in the standings, and unlocking a more potent attack from his forward options listed in the squad. The manager will hope his assessment leads to a more clinical performance under the lights on Wednesday.
