Pools forced to wait for chance to extend improved form

Without a game this weekend because of the FA Cup, Hartlepool United have a two-week gap between matches following their dramatic late draw against Leeds at Victoria Park – but boss Chris Turner wants his team back in action as soon as possible.

They may have picked up only two points in their last five games, but there has been a definite improvement since the humiliating 5-0 home defeat at the hands of MK Dons in mid-January.
Pools followed that game with defeats at Charlton and Bristol Rovers, but the performances were a lot better, and the home draw against Gillingham came before one of their best displays of the season in the 2-1 defeat at Norwich and then last weekend’s Leeds draw.

It’s been a difficult spell of matches, but Turner has been impressed by the progress his squad has made and that’s why he would have been happier with a match this weekend.
He told the Northern Echo: “The last three or four games we have played fantastic, the best for a long time.
“To get a result against Leeds, I’m sure the players take a confidence boost from it and kick on in the next two games.
“Performances have been good and, even if results aren’t going your way, if you play well it will come.
“There’s an excellent spirit here, the players were so deflated after MK Dons. That was a one-off.
“Yes they have been disappointed at times, but not despondent.”
The arrival and gradual integration into the team of a play-maker like Joe Gamble has made a difference for Pools, but now it’s important they get a win or two to show them that their improvement has been worthwhile.