AFTER caretaker manager Micky Barron labelled it an embarrassment, and midfielder Antony Sweeney admitted no manager in the world could have coached Hartlepool United to success at the weekend, the club’s chief executive turned the spotlight onto his players.

Russ Green has used his programme notes for tomorrow’s home game with Tranmere to express his disgust at Pools’ 6-1 FA Cup humbling at Chesterfield.

Pools were brushed aside with fundamental ease in Derbyshire, as the hosts, struggling in League Two, racked up their first FA Cup win against Football League opposition since they pushed Middlesbrough all the way to a semi-final replay in 1997.

Green attends every Pools game home and away in representing the club and was seething on Saturday.

“That was the worst performance I have ever witnessed by a Pools’ team since I have been at the Club,” he wrote in his notes to be published in tomorrow’s programme.

“I felt so sorry for the fans having to put up with such a shambolic performance and to say it was embarrassing would be an understatement.

“For people to have paid good, well-earned money to watch that is unforgiveable and I would like to, on behalf of the Football Club, apologise for it.

“The players are looked after very well, the best travel, hotels, training facilities, kit etc. etc. and to repay the Club, the staff, the fans and the owners like that is not good enough.

“Let’s hope we can regroup and get a win on Wednesday night because we need to get out of this mess and the only way we will do this is by being united, committed and, last but not least, passionate.”

Chairman Ken Hodcroft will also use the club publication to have his say and he is understood to be conducting the process of appointing a new manager this week.

Phil Brown is the bookmakers’ runaway favourite at unbackable odds, although Barron is likely to be in charge tomorrow night against the League One leaders.

And Sweeney, who scored Pools goal at the weekend, admitted: “I feel massively for Micky, I can’t see what more we can do.

“We have been on the training ground last week, it was good and everyone was positive, there’s been some very good sessions and we were all looking forward to the game.

“Mistakes happened. What more can Micky do? We gave stupid goals away while he’s looking on.

“I feel for him and it’s the players who will keep us in this mess or get us out of this mess.

“We got back to 4-1 and there’s 15 minutes to go, maybe get back to 4-2, 4-3 and there’s something good to take into Wednesday.

“They scored, what, 60 seconds after the goal? And again they didn’t have to work hard for it.’’ And he openly admitted: “We say we have to pick ourselves up for Wednesday, but how many more times are we going to have to say that? We are in an absolute dogfight.

“Everyone needs a lift. I would be worried if I was talking now saying people didn’t care – players are in the dressing room on the floor, totally down.

“How many times can you say we have to pick ourselves up and get on with it? But you have to, we are paid to play football for Hartlepool United and this isn’t good enough.

“Wednesday is a massive one for us. We need a win.’’ Barron is sure to make changes tomorrow and said on Saturday the club’s younger prospects couldn’t do much worse than those who were selected.

“How do you pick them up?’’ he asked. “Do you have a go at them? Do you cajole them and say we’ll put that one to bed?

“It’s all been tried before.

“Is the only other option to change players – putting in a lad who you don’t think is ready but might have to be?

“That’s the only thing we can do, we’ve tried everything else. It’s really difficult but we’ve got to prepare.’’