Hartlepool United Manager, Dave Challinor, has insisted he is not concerned with Pools' recent dip in form, stating it was something that could be expected, as per the Hartlepool Mail.

Pools would have seen last Saturday’s trip to troubled Oldham as an opportunity to get their first away win of the season but the resultant goalless draw means it is now one win in four for the North-East club after a promising start which finds them currently in sixth place in the table.

Despite labelling the performance at Boundary Park as their ‘least effective’ performance of the season Challinor is taking the side’s current ‘plateau’ in his stride. Challinor told The Mail “I look at the last three performances and we have been flat and you knew at some point there would be a bit of a plateau because we’ve come into the league carrying momentum forward and people put things in place to try and stop you.”

Challinor pointed to his side's lack of goals in recent weeks and challenged the whole team to take responsibility for this stating: “There is always going to be a bit of a concern around putting the ball in the net but everyone has got to take some responsibility for that. I’m looking at the centre-backs and our set-pieces which are into good areas but I can’t remember a Lidds [Gary Liddle] or a Byrner [Neill Bryne] getting in there and having a good chance. We have to do better with that bit too.”

The Verdict

As with any side coming up from the National League, consolidation will be Hartlepool's primary aim this season and their strong start indicates that they are capable of competing in League Two. Challinor will be hoping his players take on his challenge and look to add to their goal tally from all areas of the pitch and if this happens they will expect to finish comfortably clear of danger come the end of the season.