RONNIE Moore is braced for a tough first game in charge of Hartlepool United after comparing opponents Oxford United to Real Madrid.

The former Rotherham United boss was appointed at Victoria Park on Tuesday and one of his first acts was to scout the U’s.

He watched from the stands at Prenton Park as Michael Appleton’s men ran Tranmere Rovers ragged but ended up losing 2-1 in their FA Cup second round replay.

It was a defeat, but Moore left impressed – and concerned.

  • Latest United news:

He said: “I watched Oxford United the other night and they were like Real Madrid – they frightened the life out of me and I was thinking ‘have we really got to play these on Saturday?’

“But they passed it for fun and should have won, but they didn’t finish when they were on top.

“We know we are in for a tough game, but we will be well organised and hopefully get a bit of luck.”

The 61-year-old met the Pools squad on Wednesday, so has had three days to prepare for the game and turn around a five-game losing streak which has seen them cut adrift at the bottom.

Hartlepool, who were also the subject of a takeover this week, have responded by cutting ticket prices in an effort to boost the attendance tomorrow.

  • Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone’s contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed.