Hartlepool United players loooking sharp says Craig Hignett

Hartlepool United's players are looking sharp '“ despite having to contend with the heat in Tenerife.
Nicky Featherstone on the ball in training at La Laleta. Picture: HUFCNicky Featherstone on the ball in training at La Laleta. Picture: HUFC
Nicky Featherstone on the ball in training at La Laleta. Picture: HUFC

Boss Craig Hignett has given the thumbs up to his squad ahead of today’s in-house match at La Caleta.

Hignett has pushed his players hard, as you would expect in pre-season, though there has been no shortage of football-related work.

“It’s been excellent so far for everyone,” he said.

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“We’re already getting through some really positive work, despite the fact that the temperature has been much higher [yesterday] than it was on Monday.

“In the morning it became apparent very quickly that it was going to be very hot.

“We knew when we came here that would be the case though so it’s not particularly a surprise to anyone.

“Some of the players have struggled a little bit but the penny is starting to drop with them now.

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“They know that they need to eat a good breakfast and make sure they take plenty of water on board before, during and after training.

“We had done some combination play attacking-wise on Monday so we brought the goals in and made it sharper and shorter [yesterday].

“It worked very well.

“We touched on how to get in [on goal] and the types of things that will get you a shot in and around the box.

“I was really pleased with how it went.

“The players have all looked very sharp and I think they have all enjoyed being out here in the warm weather.

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“I used to love training and playing in weather like this when I was a player so I’m sure most of them are the same.”

Pools have been having two physical sessions a day, though this afternoon they were set to play what Hignett hopes will be a friendly.

“The plan is to do an full 11 v 11 game at the training ground,” he said in an interview with the Pools website.

“We have touched on team shape already and I want to look at them in a full 90 minutes.

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“There are things we want to work on because I want us to be flexible in the way we play during the season, not just rigid in our system and shape.”

Pools are in Tenerife until Sunday and after their return they will play Sunderland at Victoria Park on Wednesday.