Hartlepool United head coach Anthony Limbrick explains divisive substitutions during defeat to relegation-threatened Aldershot
Hartlepool United head coach Anthony Limbrick has explained his divisive substitutions during Saturday’s 3-2 defeat to relegation-threatened Aldershot.
With Pools a goal to the good, Limbrick replaced Jack Robinson, making his first start for the club, and Reyes Cleary, one of the standout performers in recent weeks, with David Ferguson and Joe Grey. Just three minutes later, Tom Parkes cannoned a clearance into Ferguson’s shins and the ball rebounded into his own net to draw the Shots level. Limbrick turned to his bench again, introducing the experienced Nicky Featherstone in favour of former Newcastle midfielder Jamie Miley, but three minutes after that change the hosts took the lead thanks to a long range effort from Cameron Hargreaves.
Perhaps inevitably, fans were quick to criticise Limbrick for his ill-fated substitutions. David Ferguson, despite his stellar service to the club, has become something of a scapegoat in the last 18 months. The 30-year-old has made more than 200 appearances for Pools and was outstanding when they won promotion under Dave Challinor in 2021; the full-back was so impressive during that memorable campaign that he was the only Pools player to feature in the National League team of the season.
Yet the defender has become the target of increasing criticism in the last couple of years, so the fact he scored an unfortunate own goal mere moments after his introduction led to an outpouring of frustration among fans. Supporters, especially those on social media, did not seem to notice – or, perhaps, chose to ignore – the fact that there was nothing he could do to avoid having the ball booted at him from close range.
