Dave Challinor discusses why he wants to keep things simple at Hartlepool United ahead of Stockport County clash

Pools are unbeaten in their last three National League matches having drawn 2-2 last time out at Yeovil Town.

And Challinor believes that the support from the home fans at Victoria Park should make things quite simple for his players as they look to get back to winning ways.

“If we’re going to be successful, we’ve got to be in the top six or seven for our home record because it’s everything,” he said.

“It should be a massive advantage for us and for me it’s not a difficult one because the fans just want to see them give everything.

“If there’s an opportunity to lift someone then lift them and if there’s an opportunity to have a shot, take responsibility and have a shot, it’s quite simple.”

Challinor may have been working relentlessly with his players and making the most of an uninterrupted week on the training pitch but he realises that work could well go out the window when Saturday comes around.

“Football is a simple game often made more complicated by coaches like myself,” admitted the 44-year-old.

“Ultimately there’s a couple of metal sticks at either end of a field and you’ve got to put the ball between them as many times as you can.

“We need to get forward, compete for every ball and tackle, it’s a really old school philosophy but it’s the basics for what you need at this level.

“If you can do that well, we’ll become a winning team that is backed by the supporters.

“It’s pretty easy when it comes down to it and I’m probably doing myself and every other manager a disservice by saying that but we sometimes try and over complicate things.

“All supporters want to see – as do I – is my players run around like lunatics for 90-minutes and try and get one over on what is put in front of them!”