Hartlepool United manager, Ronnie Moore has told his players to go and 'enjoy' playing their football - He insists they should show no fear, starting with the Pools trip to Meadow Lane tomorrow.
Hartlepool finds themselves a single position above the drop zone of League Two, a mere 12 points behind the Magpies'.
In a mid-week interview More said "Pressure? itβs for whimps". Before adding "Just go and play football, weβre not getting shot at out there! Yes, itβs peopleβs livelihoods and the fans have supported the club all their lives β they donβt want to see us go out of this league. But itβs game of football - go out there and enjoy it."
"Itβs a matter of getting together, taking the chances when they come."
Pools dropped to 22nd in the table this week, it's their lowest league position since last May - It follows after Yeovil managed to secure a point against Luton Town, though the Pools have a total of 4 games in hand.
"We canβt do anything about other teams winning. You have to live with that. But we have the opportunity with our games in hand." explained Moore.
"They mean nothing though unless we are winning them, we know itβs going to be tough, thereβs no doubt about that but we have a decent squad here now and one we should not fear anyone. We need a little break, we need someone to put the ball in the net, however it goes in, it does not have to be a wondergoal."
Former Hartlepool United striker Luke James will be availible for the pools selection and will be tasked with causing Notts County's defender trouble. He will remain with the side on a half-season long loan after signing from Peterborough United. Also availible would select the 21-year-olds partner from a range of players such as Rakish Bingham, Rhys Oates, Billy Paynter and Scott Fenwick.
"Luke can play with any of our strikers,β said Moore. βHe can play in a 4-4-2 or just off the forward, Itβs a hard decision for me because given the amount of forwards here now, one or two may not be in the squad altogether."
"But all the lads have had ample time to put a smile on my face, none of them can knock on my door if they are out. Scotty is maybe the only one who can feel hard done by, but the reason I went for Bings last week was his pace."
"It wasnβt anything to do with me thinking Bings is a better forward than Scotty. It was horses for courses, but we can all be wise after the event canβt we? We can all say at 5pm, 'oh, I wouldnβt have picked him'."
Nathan Thomas will be a certain starter for the pools, along side Luke James - who returned after putting an outstanding performance last Saturday against Exeter City.
"If we had someone like Luke last week we would have won as Nathan was unplayable," said Moore.
"He has ability, he is bright and quick and creates chances. Nathan can be our saviour β playing at that pace, opposition players canβt handle him. I donβt want to pin too much responsibility on one boy, but everyone has seen what he is capable of. Iβm sure if he produces that week-in, week-out there will be enough balls coming in to satisfy any striker."
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