Matthew Bates' message to his Hartlepool players after third win in a row

While content to get another three points under his belt against Chesterfield yesterday, Pools boss Matthew Bates is keen for his players to keep the momentum with another win.

Next up, they head down to the south coast where they will come up against Havant and Waterlooville, and Bates has already laid down the gauntlet.

“We aren’t pleased with three wins in a row, the pressure isn’t off,” he said of his side, who now sit just three points off the top of the National League table.

“We win three, now we go again for a fourth.

“The manner in which we did it was pleasing, though.

“We have worked on seeing games out, and we have answered a few questions on that front recently. But I can say what I want on the sidelines and it’s up to them to do it out on the pitch. They have delivered three games in a row now which is very pleasing.”

Bates was not just happy with the result, the manner in which they did it also gave him cause for hope.

“There was things in the game there which I haven’t seen before which I welcomed and was pleased to see,” he said.

“I will not say what they are, though. But all I can say is I saw pressure from the lads which I have not seen before.”

Two goals in two weeks for Nicky Featherstone has seen him jump to the joint top-scorer at Pools.

While Bates does not expect this run to continue, he’s not shocked to see the player chip in.

He said: “Nicky has been in and out this season and I see his quality, he knits things together and is a massive part of how we play.

“With two in front of him and two up top he can get further forward. It was a great finish. He is technically very good and one of the best in the squad.”