Hartlepool United chairman Ken Hodcroft lambasted the club’s poor cup runs last season. Therefore, there was pressure for Pools to improve on their first round exits in all three competitions this season. Unfortunately, the man at the top is left seething again this term.

League Cup: first round 5-0 defeat to Crewe amid an inept display littered with defensive frailties and a dearth of creativity.

Johnstone’s Paint Trophy: first round 4-2 defeat on penalties to League Two Bradford City after a 0-0 draw again devoid of any imagination.

The stark truth is Neale Cooper’s men are just not good enough. Besides their dreadful, premature cup exits, they sit second bottom of the League One. The facts are inescapable.

Defensive calamities have made it a tiresome start to the season. A catalogue of below-par performances on a game-by-game basis from a large bulk of the squad haven’t made things easier, too. Not possessing that killer-pass dissect the opposition’s defence haven’t helped. When they do arrive in their dribs and drabs, squandering chances have added to the woes. Failing to maintain sustained pressure in the final third for a decent length of time can be added to the list of ingredients that are culminating in a recipe for disaster. A recipe for relegation.

They were all in abundance against the Bantams, minus the defensive mistakes; although that’s largely due to the fact that Phil Parkinson’s men offered little themselves and centre-back Jack Baldwin was as composed as ever, sniffing out any potential danger like a well-trained police dog. Baldwin, 19, has only been at the club over 14 months. He’s the side’s best player. That in itself say a lot about the quality of the team.

In a drab first half, Ryan Noble had tested the keeper McLaughlin after breaking away and unleashing a shot from an acute angle. Former Pools man Richie Jones had a couple of chances, as did James Henson but Scott Flinders was in fine form.

It was only when Antony Sweeney – demoted to the bench to allow Ritchie Humphreys (in for Paul Murray) and Simon Walton (in for Sweeney) – entered the action after the hour that Pools looked like mustering a goal.

Sweeney had replaced Walton who had thought he was playing in a league above, relaxing on the ball as if he wasn’t going to be chased down. Mistake. He was sussed out and was soon spraying the ball around the pitch as wayward as his second-half miscued effort before his withdrawal.

Sweeney had two immediate chances, one outside the area, one just inside. The midfielder seemed to spark a lacklustre Pools, with the occasional plausible interchanges of football. Jono Franks crossed frequently, Darren Holden bursted forward.

The wave of pressure from the hosts was brief; it wasn’t to last.

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The same can be said about Pools’ cup run. When Horwood’s penalty crashed off the underside of the bar and out with the penalties score reading 4-2 to Bradford, Pools’ cup run had ended. It was tedious at best while it lasted.

Hodcroft won’t be happy. Nor is Cooper and the disillusioned fans.

You can find me on Twitter @cmbell310 for more football chat.

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England U21 striker Connor Wickham is doing all he can to try and break into the Sunderland first team under Martin O’Neill.

A crucial goal in a 1-0 victory for the young Three Lions against Serbia will have done his credentials for a spot in the starting XI no harm.

Despite this, the manager has high standards and Wickham has yet to make a Premier League appearance this season with the striking competition so fierce around him.

Even though many consider Fletcher, Sessegnon and Saha to be above the 19-year-old in the pecking order, he isn’t about to take the easy option of going out on loan.

Instead the former Ipswich star wants to stay on Wearside and fight for his place just like every other member of the squad. It has taken time for the talented youngster time to adapt to his surroundings, with his reported £8million transfer fee weighing on his shoulders.

However, the Sunderland ace believes he now has developed enough to live up to the billing he was given before he arrived at the Black Cats. The player was brought in by former boss Steve Bruce but has been impressed by his current manager, Martin O’ Neill.

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The teenage marksman went on to speak to the Northern Echo about the Northern Irishman, “”I’ve spoken to him a few times and he’s told me exactly what he wants and we’ve got the coaches in to do the extra training that has been put on for me.”

Wickham will be hoping that extra training has paid off and that he gets a chance to shine and finally warm himself to the Sunderland fans in the Tyne-Wear Derby this Sunday.

Tottenham and Liverpool are believed to be among 15 clubs that have shown an interest in signing Ajax defender Toby Alderweireld according to The Metro.

The Premier League duo will face competition from the likes of Atletico Madrid and a host of Italian and Turkish clubs for the highly rated Belgian defender.

Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas has been a long term admirer of the Ajax player and reportedly sought after his signature while at Chelsea last season. Villas-Boas signed Alderweireld’s team mate Jan Vertonghan in the summer and will be hoping his star summer acquisition can help persuade his former defensive partner to move to North London, likewise compatriot Moussa Dembele.

Liverpool are looking to replace Jamie Carragher who is nearing the end of his career and Brendan Rodgers is set for a busy January transfer window with numerous players already lined up for enquiries.

It is reported in The Metro that Ajax may well be ready to accept bids of around £8million for their prized asset in January, but they may well insist the player remains on loan in Amsterdam for the rest of the season.

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Breaking in to any team at a young age is difficult, never mind at Manchester United. Tom Cleverley’s versatility, while it may have originally been the most attractive aspect about him as a player, may only serve to hold him back from realising his full potential as he grows older, in what is the archetypal catch-22 situation for all footballers breaking through these days it seems.

The main thing to take away from Cleverley’s ascension in recent times to become a key squad player for both club and country. Aside from his penchant for the treatment table, is that he’s really not all that young anymore the more you think about it and 23 is no longer considered ‘young’ in the game.

After all, he’s six years older than Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling, which is the same age difference between Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand; two players I think most of would agree came from different generations in terms of the crop that they emerged with.

Of course, after spending two full seasons out on loan during impressive spells at Watford and then Wigan, this was what was needed to mould him into the player that he’s eventually become and it has to be said that along with Danny Welbeck, that United have utilised the loan market exceptionally well in recent times for players they have wanted to blood into the first-team.

Cleverley, much like Welbeck, was always regarded as a talented youngster but talent alone simply isn’t enough to guarantee you a squad place at Old Trafford and many a player has slipped through the trap door and into journeying careers in the lower leagues as a result. In all honesty, Cleverley is a late bloomer and nobody really expected him to make an impact at the club, at least not in the way he has done, but there’s a sense that he could drift in terms of his development precisely at a time when he needs to kick on unless he’s given a settled and clearly defined role in the side.

Some players manage to carve out careers for themselves as jack of all trades sort of player, with Phil Neville and John O’Shea, both originally from Manchester United coincidentally, standing out as prime examples. With Phil Jones looking like another player destined to always be a square peg in a round hole wherever he plays, but they’re few and far between, particularly when it comes to midfield players.

The trouble is that despite many criticising the club’s strength in depth in midfield, Ferguson still has a whole host of central options to pick from and the fact that he hasn’t settled on a formation to get the best out of his top-heavy squad could be a mitigating factor. This has seen them switch seamlessly from a 4-4-2 diamond one week to a 4-3-3 the next and while that might be great if you’re a regular, like, say, Robin van Persie or Michael Carrick, it becomes a lot tougher to come in and hit the ground running if you’re not and there’s little time factored in for him to adjust.

In his five international appearances for England to date so far under Roy Hodgson, Cleverley has been used in the hole behind the lone striker, on the left, the right and in the middle of midfield and he often switches between multiple roles within a single match which may go some way to explaining why he can sometimes be seen to drift in and out of the game. He’s the undoubted positional sacrificial lamb.

He looks set to be destined to be a player that’s constantly debated over and knee-jerk reactions will likely haunt him for the rest of his career. There will be those that vociferously appreciate his intricate one-touch passing and ability to unlock doors in the final third, while others will simply state that he disappears for long periods and that they don’t ‘get’ him. In terms of what he can do, he’s not a very ‘English’ type of player and he’d likely be lauded for his work-rate if you saw him recklessly flying into tackle every five minutes, except his positional awareness and ability to mark space means he doesn’t ever have to.

While the arrival of van Persie has shown itself to be little more than an indulgence purchase, albeit a pretty darn good one at that, the real spanner in the works in terms of the team’s system is how Ferguson uses both Shinji Kagawa and Rooney together while also sticking to his well-worn footballing principles of playing two wingers out wide on either flank. This will inevitably have a knock-on effect on the middle of midfield.

It’s been pondered by many that Ferguson has long since given up on trying to solve the midfield problems inherent in his side ever since Roy Keane left and Owen Hargreaves become crocked. It lacks balance and each combination he plays is flawed, leaving him open to criticism from the fans over a lack of investment in a key area. However, with the sheer amount of attacking talent he has at his disposal, it more than makes up for anything that is lacking, even if it is continually having to bail them out so far this term.

In that regard, it would be a shame if Cleverley was never given a prolonged run while he is free from injury in a more central area where he can at least try to dictate play in a way that Carrick and Scholes often can while playing together. The extent to which the club still relies on both Scholes and Giggs given their ages and the amount of time that Ferguson has had to find suitable replacements for them is beyond embarrassing now.

For all intents and purposes, Ferguson may have given up on trying to control the middle of midfield these days, seemingly content to try and out-score his opponents each week after coming up short on two occasions trying to combat the famed Barcelona ‘carousel’ as he seeks a silverware-tinged swansong to his glittering managerial career.

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Moreover, it would be a monumental waste if Cleverley became a casualty of that short-term policy, not only for his club, but for a national team short on composed ball-playing talent as he continues to be shunted from pillar to post around the pitch in search of an identity and a role he can call his own.

You can follow me on Twitter @JamesMcManus1

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It has been another positive week for Coventry City on the field with a 2-1 win against Morecambe in the FA cup second round.

It was by no means a classic FA Cup tie but it was a game that was all about us getting through to the next round. Despite the fact we had a slightly weakened side we were in control for the majority of the 90 minutes and created more than enough chances to have won the game more comfortably.

With the team being without the likes of David McGoldrick and James Bailey in it there was a chance for others to make an impression. O’Donovan a man who has been a bit of an outcast at the club since his arrival was given a rare start. However despite a hard working performance from him there was a distinct lack of quality there and at times it was easy to see why he has not been in and around the team a great deal.

More positive though was to see McSheffery get himself another goal this time from the penalty spot. His recent improvement could be something to get excited about. We have all seen what he can do and know that he can be a player of real quality. We have not seen this since his return to the club and it is about time that he shows us fans why we adored him so much in his previous stint with the club.

Another player in the goals again was Carl Baker and many a time I have slated Baker who has never really recreated the form he showed for Stockport. Just maybe he is finding his feet again and one thing I am sure of about him is that he is very much a confidence player. The fact he is getting himself a couple of goals along with having some real influence on games should mean his confidence is receiving a massive boost. This can only be a good thing and I hope that this new found confidence continues and he keeps getting himself in and amongst the goals.

All in all it was a good day at the office for everyone involved at Coventry and the draw for the third round made for a perfect weekend for the Skyblues. A repeat of the 1987 FA cup final as Coventry face Tottenham Hotspur away at White Hart Lane.

I for one cannot wait for this match and a first trip to White Hart Lane is going to be something to savour. Tottenham are a top side with world class players and we all know that a victory is unlikely but it is the FA Cup and anything can happen.

This will undoubtedly be a great occasion for all involved and I’m sure it will bring back some great memories for those supporters lucky enough to remember the famous triumph of 1987. Unfortunately I am not one of them and I am hoping that Coventry can create another historic FA cup moment which can be celebrated by the club as a whole and all of us long suffering fans. With the drama that unfolded in the 1987 Final the script could already be written and another historic victory could be on the cards.

This cup tie is definitely one to look forward too for fans and players alike but there are plenty of important games to think about before it, starting Tuesday night against Sheffield United.

It’s another cup match and a real chance of some silverware for the club. Robins has already shown his intentions with his team selections that he wants to go all the way in the Football League Trophy and I don’t expect this to change. It is a chance to instill some much needed pride back into the club and would be a huge step forward in terms of changing the mentality at the club to a winning one.

Now Sheffield United will be no easy task with them being one of the clear favourites to win the trophy themselves but we more than matched them early on in the season and we have improved significantly since then. In my eyes we have a real chance and I’m excited about the prospect of potentially going to Wembley.

Many will say the Football League Trophy doesn’t matter and is a bit of a nothing competition but I like it as it gives the smaller teams in the country some real hope of not only winning something but to play at the best stadium in the country. Its every players dream to play at Wembley, its every managers dream to manage a team there and its every fans dream to watch their team play there. This trophy makes them dreams come true for clubs who wouldn’t otherwise get that chance and for that I am grateful that it exists.

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This game also gives us another chance to improve our stuttering home form. We are currently in the middle of four consecutive home games having drawn one and won one.

The fact we are unbeaten and that we were seconds away from winning both games is positive . However we need to try to continue this and make the Ricoh a place that other teams fear. We can go some way towards achieving this over the next two matches and if we do then the rest of season could be bright for the Skyblues.

PUSB!!

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was not overly disappointed by his side’s 2-1 Champions League defeat to Olympiakos, and highlighted the performances of his less experienced stars as encouraging.

The result left them as runners up to Schalke in Group B, with the German team claiming a draw away to Montpellier.

With qualification for the final 16 already guaranteed, the Frenchman decided to rest a number of his first-team regulars.

This contributed to the negative score-line, but Wenger was happy with the performances of some of his fringe players:

“Some of the young players did very well for an hour and that’s very positive,” he told SkySports.

“It wasn’t the result we wanted but it was a very encouraging game.”

The display of 20-year-old defender Jernade Meade was singled out by the manager as being particularly impressive:

“He tired late on but he was my pick,”

He was however unhappy at the manner in which his team conceded the equalising goal:

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“It was a goal kick, simple as that. What a FIFA official is doing behind the line, nobody knows.

“It’s not the right decision but you have to cope with it. After that they scored a good goal.

Tomas Rosicky opened the scoring for the Londoners, before goals from Ioannis Maniatis and Kostas Mitroglou sealing victory for the Greek side.

You may love or loathe the January window, but there is no question that it represents an exciting time in the Premier League calendar.

It is fair to say that you can take a majority of the gossip with a pinch of salt for the large part, but in my mind it is the rumours that make it so intriguing and we all, fail not to buy into them or dare to dream that they may come true. There have been plenty of outlandish ones over the years, but would we have it any other way?

This latest list is a collection players who will enrich the Premier League and certainly add huge value to it should they move in January – they have all been linked, but whether they actually sign remains to be seen.

Click on Willian below to unveil the top 10

Newcastle are preparing a move for West Ham defender James Tomkins, according to reports from talkSPORT.

The Magpies have endured a tough start to their Premier League campaign, notching 20 points in 20 matches.

One reason for this has been the club’s shaky defence, which has conceded 37 goals, one more than bottom placed QPR.

This has forced manager Alan Pardew to set his sights on defensive options and he has highlighted Tomkins as one of his top targets.

The Hammers star has become frustrated this season by a lack of first-team opportunities, leading to speculation that he may be willing to leave London.

Last season Tomkins struck up a solid relationship with Winston Reid, but this term Sam Allardyce has elected to partner the New Zealand international with James Collins.

The Upton Park club will be reluctant to allow the 23-year-old to leave, but he may hand in a transfer request should Newcastle’s interest further.

Tomkins graduated from the East London outfit’s famous academy set-up, making is debut during the 2008 season.

He left the club later that year to join Derby on loan, but returned to the West Ham first-team for the 2009/10 season.

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His impressive form last year gained him a placed in the Great Britain team for the 2012 Olympic Games.

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Both Harry Redknapp and Mauricio Pochettino celebrate their birthdays today and neither will settle for any less than the perfect birthday gift – three points.

Redknapp’s arrival at Loftus Road looked to have given the doomed London club a much needed boost at first, but the novelty appears to warn off now as they search for a first win in six top-flight outings.

The Saints will believe a a few more wins can be enough for them to secure Premier League safety and they’ll be targeting three points against a relegation rival today in order to keep those survival hopes well and truly alive.

Here’s how the birthday boys’ teams line up today:

Southampton: Boruc, Clyne, Fonte, Yoshida, Fox, Puncheon, Cork, Schneiderlin, Lallana, Ramirez, Lambert. Subs:  K. Davis, S. Davis, Shaw, Rodriguez, Richardson, Guly, Ward-Prowse.

QPR: Cesar, Traore, Samba, Hill, Bosingwa, Granero, Park, Hoilett, Bothroyd, Mbia, Remy. Subs: Green, Taarabt, Mackie, Onouha, Jenas, Fabio, Townsend.

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Click on the banner below to keep track of all today’s Premier League action.

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As some of the best football teams in the world battle it out in the Quarter-Finals of the UEFA Champions League, Heineken® has unveiled the latest element of its ‘Road to the Final’ campaign with the launch of a new ad campaign. The ad demonstrates how, with imagination and resourcefulness, one man is able to witness club football’s most prestigious event – the Final itself.

Premiering today, the ad is the latest element of the brand’s global integrated ‘Road to The Final’ campaign as it celebrates its seventh consecutive year sponsoring the UEFA Champions League.

The ad features one lucky fan, who receives a ticket to the UEFA Champions League Final.  The only problem is that he is on the other side of the world and faces a race against the clock to get to the match. Through a combination of resourcefulness, imagination and inventiveness he manages to overcome every obstacle put in his way – to be rewarded with the ultimate football experience – a pitch side seat at Wembley, arriving just before kick-off.

Throughout the ‘Road to the Final’ campaign, Heineken® is encouraging fans to engage with the brand through a series of unique activities from on-pack to in-bar and social media, offering incredible once-in-a-lifetime prizes.

The brand’s Facebook fans can play a pinball game featuring elements of the advert.  Players can compete against each other – and Heineken ambassadors including Clarence Seedorf – to earn bragging rights and UEFA Champions League prizes. For the Semi-Finals, eager fans will have the chance to engage with Seedorf through Twitter – with the most resourceful receiving prizes for their imaginative responses to Heineken’s task.

As the ‘Road to The Final’ campaign reaches its climax, Heineken® will be rewarding fans for displaying inspiring and imaginative behaviour by offering tickets to the UEFA Champions League Final in Wembley and this year’s Star Final VIP viewing event, in Ibiza.  More than 250 lucky fans from around the world will have the chance to experience the combination of football and music in the world’s party and nightlife capital.

Hans Erik Tuijt, Heineken’s Global Activation Director, commented on today’s announcement: “We are delighted to launch the next stage of the ‘The Road to The Final’ campaign with this new TVC. Our fans are intelligent, quick witted and worldly people so we’ve worked hard to craft a campaign that they will enjoy being part of.

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We want consumers to watch the advert, engage with the brand – play the digital game, Tweet Clarence Seedorf and come to Heineken® events. If they do that then they might even get the chance to see the Final in a uniquely Heineken® way whether it’s in Wembley or even Ibiza.”

https://youtube.com/watch?v=c9paI3n9-Q0

Head over to Heineken’s Facebook page to play ‘The Road to the Final’ pinball game: www.facebook.com/heineken