Carl Magnay thinks Pools should NOT be satisfied with their National League start

Despite stretching their unbeaten run to eight games with the 1-1 draw with Eastleigh, Matthew Bates’ men slipped two places down the standings to sixth.
The result also saw them fall two further points behind leaders Harrogate, with the gap to the summit now five.

Frustrated Magnay is not content to settle for a play-off place this season - he knows Pools have got the quality to go all the way.

“We will be there or thereabouts but we think we should be the top team,” he said.

“We haven’t played everyone yet, we know that, and we have a few tough games. These next two will likely be our barometer in terms of where we think we should be. But we have the feeling that we could win the league.

“We are on an unbeaten run but we need to be getting three points like Harrogate are. They are our benchmark, they have to be.

“We cannot afford to go two or three games drawing, because they will be away from us. That is the standard being set and that is the reality of this group.”

While Pools have conceded nine goals in 11, they have only managed to score 13.
And to Magnay, that’s where the problem lies.

“We have to be more ruthless,” said the defender ahead of trips to high-flying Halifax Town and Salford City on Saturday and Tuesday respectively.

“There has to be a tenacious streak in the box. It is just not there at the moment.

“We know how good we can be. We are now looking at fine details, we are nit picking. We know as a group we do not have a glaring weakness like we did last season. It is really fine details.

“We play some fantastic football, to a point. Then we are not pulling away from teams.

“All the best sides do it, the ones who want to achieve things, win things. We’re just struggling with it.

“We are still in a decent position in the league but we are disappointed with this kind of result.”

Magnay has been an integral part of the Pools back three which has looked solid since the start of the campaign.

Alongside inexperienced duo Peter Kioso and Myles Anderson, he has formed a solid base on which Pools can build.

Magnay has been delighted with his own move from right back, and how those around him have settled in at Pools.

“I have been pleased with my performances and the defence as a whole. We have been in control of games,” said Magnay.

“We are happy with how we are working as a three, with the full-backs. For me, moving into that area at this stage of my career has been ideal.

“I was very honest last season with the staff that full-back was not an option for me any more.

“I just felt I could be more effective where I am. I am happy with how it is going but as a team we need to find consistency. Until we achieve something at the end of the season I will not be truly happy.”