Hartlepool United boss Ronnie Moore wants pace – and fast

The Pools boss had been looking for a midfielder even before Tuesday night’s home defeat to Bristol Rovers but the 3-0 defeat has served to sharpen his focus.

“The squad is better than last season’s, but one or two of them at the moment are not performing to their capabilities,” said Moore.

“One or two haven’t shown their true colours, but how long do you wait?

“I’ve tried again all day Wednesday to get a couple of players in, made phone calls everywhere.

“We are after a winger with pace who can give us something different going forward and a midfielder with box-to-box energy – if we can do that and play to our potential and we have a good squad of players.”

Moore seems reluctant to bring in a young, untried player given Pools have Connor Smith and Kudus Oyenuga already in the squad.

“We knew we were short in the wider areas,” said the boss. “We have Kudus and Connor who are still learning the game.

“Is it pointless to go to a Man United, an Everton or a Liverpool to get a young kid in to basically teach them the trade when you have lads of your own in the same position?”

But Moore says speed is a priority and if he can find that in the loan market then he will do business.

“Sometimes you have to make a decision,” he said. “We need someone with electric pace.

“I believe we need that if we are going to change from a 4-3-3 or 3-5-2 into a 4-4-2.”

– ROY KELLY