Hartlepool United's former Huddersfield defender Jake Carroll praised by boss

Craig Hignett dropped him for his first match in charge '“ but today sung the praises of Jake Carroll.
Jake CarrollJake Carroll
Jake Carroll

The Irishman had an excellent game in Saturday’s 0-0 draw with runaway League Two leaders Northampton Town.

Carroll, the only ever-present under previous boss Ronnie Moore, had made way for Dan Jones in the matches against Yeovil and Notts County.

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But a knee problem for Jones meant Carroll regained his place at Luton and the summer signing from Huddersfield Town retained the left-back spot against the Cobblers.

And Hignett was impressed by the 24-year-old’s contrubution.

“Jake was outstanding, in terms of what we’re asking him to do, covering the centre-halves, getting closer to people, winning the ball and passing it,” said Hignett.

“He was different class and I’m pleased for Jake.”

Carroll was not alone in having a good game – there was no weak links anywhere in the side.

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“Our shape, belief and organisation was good,” said the boss.

Hignett was especially pleased Pools got the result they deserved, given they had a draw seemingly in the bag seven days earlier at Luton, only to concede a late goal to sub Craig Mackail-Smith and lose 2-1.

“Last week, we switched off and got done by a really sloppy goal, when we really shouldn’t have lost,” he said.

“This time the message before the game was ‘concentration’.

“If the game’s tight, let’s make sure we see it out whether it’s 94, 95 minutes.

“To be fair, defensively, I thought we were excellent.”