Aldershot boss reveals his admiration for 'big club' Hartlepool and Matthew Bates

Gary Waddock has praised Pools and Matthew Bates

While Aldershot are perched perilously close to the relegation zone, Pools have enjoyed a strong start to the season and are challenging in and around the top end of the table.

And Waddock - who admits that United are one of the bigger clubs in the division - has praised the work done behind the scenes which has seen Pools transform their on-field fortunes this season.

"They've done very well and have had new investment into the club," he said, speaking to ShotsTV.

READ: Pools must be wary of Aldershot threat, says Bates

"It was well-documented, their financial situation, but they've put investment in and you can see now the benefits they've had on the playing side.

"We're going into a club which has had an uplift and it'll be a tough encounter, but it's a good place to go to.

"It's a big club at this level so it's a good place to go."

The experienced Waddock has previously led the likes of Portsmouth and Oxford in the Football League, but is pleased to see a fresher faced manager in Pools' Matthew Bates excelling.

MORE: Hartlepool handed financial boost as FA fine is halved

And the Aldershot boss laughed off the suggestion that Bates could call on him for advice, stating that the former defender is doing a fine job as it is.

"No, they don't need to do - they're doing good enough jobs as it is," he said.

"But I may need to pick their brains instead!"

Results may not have gone the way the Shots would have liked in recent weeks, but their performances have given Waddock plenty of hope.

He's keen to see such positive displays continue in the North East this weekend against a confident Pools side.

"They've had a good start to the season, have had an upturn and will be full of confidence," he added.

"We'll have a game plan but we want to make sure we continue with the performances.

"The players are responsible for that, and they need to make sure that as soon as they enter the pitch they put in a performance as they have done in recent weeks."