Shaun Derry 'shocked' by Cambridge United performance in defeat to Hartlepool

U's struggle to reach highs against Pools

Shaun Derry described being “shocked” by Cambridge United’s display as they lost 1-0 to Hartlepool United at the Cambs Glass Stadium.

They went into the game on a high after Medy Elito’s second-half hat-trick had given them a 3-0 win at Carlisle United in Sky Bet League Two last Saturday.

But they were unable to back that up against Hartlepool, as Michael Woods’ second-half goal proved the difference, while Max Clark was shown a red card.

“I can’t understand how we can go from the standard that we set on Saturday to the standard that everyone has seen tonight,” said U’s boss Derry. “It’s shocked me if I’m honest. I was very surprised by it.

“I didn’t feel that we influenced any part of the game tonight. Forget about the red card, I think beforehand there was a lot of negatives in the game and to say I’m disappointed is an understatement.”

And United have been unable to produce their away form at home.

“Too many times at home we have really let ourselves down – let ourselves down and let the crowd down,” said Derry. “We have to take responsibility for that – I have to take responsibility and the players do as well. It’s a collective disappointment.

“I want to transfer our away form to here at the Cambs Glass Stadium. It’s hampered us this year.

“If we had just got a few more points on the board here at home we would be telling a different story.

“The story suggests that with nine or 10 games to go we haven’t been good enough here and that’s something we have to put right next season.”