Craig Hignett: Mentality change responsible for Hartlepool good form

Pools turned around their season with a seven-game unbeaten run which took the relegation-threatened side from a perilous 22nd to the safty of 17th.

The sequence of five wins and two draws was ended on Tuesday night when they lost 1-0 at Carlisle, but Pools are now a totally different entity to the one Craig Hignett took charge of in February.

Hignett, and first-team coach Curtis Fleming, have now made Pools a hard side to beat, as well as a side now accustomed to winning.

The winning feeling has also reached reserve-team level with Sam Collins’ second string this week registering their second successive victory and also kept clean sheet.

“We’ve been on a good run, moved up League Two and it’s gone well,” said Hignett.

“A lot of it has been about changing the mentality.

“The mentallity we have is that we’re now hard to play against and we will win games and the lads know that.

“It’s pleasing to see that we have it here after the season the lads have had.

“It’s credit to the players for what they have done in turning it around.

“It’s great to see it’s filtering down – the reserves are winning, they had a good result in midweek against Doncaster.”

Hignett has said that the players who have yet to appear under him in League Two will get an opportunity in the coming weeks.

SportMail reported yesterday of the manager’s desire to view his squad men in “meaningful games”.

Hignett may now make changes, either today at Morecambe or at Notts County on Tuesday, but has warned any hopefuls they must be ready to step up to the plate

“The reserves won 2-0 and it gives me something to think about.

“If people are training well and doing well in the reserves, then they are knocking on my door.

“I’ve said before I want to get them in and see them play, but while we’ve been on a good run, it’s been difficult to get in the team.

“But I’ve also said to them. ‘when you do get in, be ready and I don’t want any excuses’.

“Players have to look after themselves properly so they are ready for when their chance comes.”