Hartlepool 3 Walsall 0 - Analysis

The Saddlers' worst performance of the season undermined a five-game unbeaten run and left fans pondering the ability of their team and manager.

Chris Hutchings is his own man and boss and his tenure has improved the Saddlers. He stopped the rot from January but there needs to be progress. He has his own players and has instilled his own designs on the squad.

There now must be a huge leap forward and he can only achieve that with backing from the terraces and the boardroom.

Fans will be frustrated after this no-show at Hartlepool and expected much more from the opening nine games of the season.

But Hutchings can only work with the tools he is given. What can he do with one of the smallest budgets in League One?

Chairman Jeff Bonser is reluctant to spend any money because he wants out. Why would he want to if he's not going to see any return from it in the long run?

The problems go deeper than Hutchings. He was the best man for the job in January and that fact remains.

But the manager has always insisted he came into the job with his eyes open, but show me a boss who wouldn't want more cash to spend.

Clayton McDonald will head back to Manchester City after his loan ends on Saturday. That won't be down to not wanting him. The budget will dictate.

The Eastlands loanee is a valuable asset, so why not push the boat out until January? Hutchings' hands are tied by a board so frugal they make Scrooge look generous.

But, as the football manager, the buck on the pitch stops with him and he is coming under fire from fans for not using his substitutes quick enough to change the balance of play.

Against Swindon last week, Danny Wilson won the tactical battle after shuffling his pack at half-time. On Saturday Hutchings should have done exactly that as his side toiled, but they were already 2-0 down before the first – enforced – change was made.

The stats don't lie. Walsall haven't won after conceding first for 13 months. A 2-1 win at home to Scunthorpe in case you're wondering.

Once Andy Monkhouse netted the opener there was just one outcome at Victoria Park. There was no drive, invention or intelligence from the Saddlers. Aside from a Dwayne Mattis header just before the break, Hartlepool goalkeeper Scott Flinders was a virtual spectator.

Repeatedly they conceded possession and lacked the sufficient bite to win it back. Hutchings admitted afterwards his players were giving conflicting calls to each other – making it virtually impossible for there to be any cohesion.

Therefore it was unsurprising they were so disjointed. Runners weren't found and passes weren't completed.

Tomorrow's visit of Huddersfield represents the ideal chance to exorcise the ghosts of Victoria Park and also the Banks's Stadium, as Walsall chase that elusive home victory.

Hartlepool hadn't won at home for five months, but they didn't have to work too hard to overcome the desperately disappointing Saddlers.

It was out of character as even in the stagnant draws against Bury and Gillingham there was a semblance of grit and determination – even if the quality was lacking.

At Victoria Park there was nothing. It was a non-descript performance, especially from the midfield.

Mattis and Mark Bradley again failed to shine. Bradley had yet another chance to prove his is the rightful owner of a midfield berth but he lacked drive.

His shoulders slumped for much of the second-half the 21-year-old was a pale imitation of the player he could – and should – be.

Injuries and Welsh under-21 call ups have hampered his club progress over the last year, but when he has golden chances against the likes of Hartlepool he must take them.

Bradley wasn't the only culprit in a defeat which will rank among the worst under Hutchings. Mattis, for all his strength and power, did little to break up the play. Hutchings uses Mattis as his 'stopper' but he failed in that duty.

Darryl Westlake was handed a footballing education by Monkhouse with the 18-year-old culpable for the first goal. Matt Richards squandered possession too often while the defence were content to lump the ball up to an exposed Troy Deeney.

It wasn't the 100th appearance that Deeney would have dreamt of. Too often he was beaten in the air and the understanding which had been developing with Darren Byfield was missing.

The Saddlers had already been on the back foot when the hosts took the lead, Monkhouse netting with a slick finish on 25 minutes. From then it was a Pools procession and it was no surprise when Monkhouse added a second, after McDonald had cleared off the line.

That sparked a muted Walsall response as Alex Nicholls fired wide, Rhys Weston dropped a header off target and Richards shot over.

Steve Jones was thrown on to inject some pace into the side and must start tomorrow. But Jones could do nothing as Hartlepool added a third.

Brown's ball beat the Saddlers' woeful offside trap and ex-Wolves man Colin Larkin coolly chipped Rene Gilmartin.

By Nick Mashiter