Five talking points from Hartlepool United's defeat to Sutton United

Pools were dealt a big blow ahead of kick-off at Gander Green Lane following the news that first choice goalkeeper Max Merrick had been ruled out through injury. Having been so impressive in the opening two games of the new National League season, keeping back-to-back clean sheets, a scan that took place back at parent club Chelsea identified two small tears on the 20-year-old's quad muscle. After spending the week down in South West London, Merrick was declared unfit to feature against an extremely physical Sutton side, forcing Lee Clark to turn to back-up goalkeeper Fisher. Having shipped 10 goals during the humiliating National League Cup defeat at the hands of Middlesbrough's under-21s side earlier this month, Fisher found things tough going on Saturday and struggled to cope with Sutton's bombardment of his box. In all likelihood, the former Sunderland and Middlesbrough man won't have been best pleased with his role in either of Sutton's two goals, albeit he was by no means the only one to shoulder a share of the blame and wasn't helped by some extremely sloppy defending in front of him. To his credit, the 21-year-old improved after the break and seemed to grow in confidence as the game wore on, asserting himself much more and coming to clear several crosses in the second half. Even so, Pools will be hoping to have Merrick back in time for Friday's visit of an Eastleigh side who have won two of their opening three National League matches this term.