Dave Challinor reflects on his big Hartlepool United goalkeeper call

Dave Challinor will continue to ‘roll the dice' when it comes to his options on the Hartlepool United bench – but he won’t take any unnecessary risks.
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Pools trailed 2-1 at Boreham Wood on Easter Monday when No1 Ben Killip was forced off due to an elbow injury as Rhys Oates donned the goalkeeper gloves and Henrich Ravas’ goalkeeper shirt.

Oates didn’t concede as promotion-chasing Pools came back to secure a point. Killip was due to have an x-ray on his elbow and then see a specialist on Wednesday.

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Challinor was hoping for good news on that front ahead of the visit of fifth-placed Notts County to The Vic on Saturday teatime.

Pools are back at The Vic on Saturday evening.Pools are back at The Vic on Saturday evening.
Pools are back at The Vic on Saturday evening.

Pools, second, are aiming to further close the gap on National League leaders Sutton United.

Reflecting on his decision not to name a goalkeeper on the Pools bench, Challinor said: “I’m not going to change our bench or be more cautious because of Monday afternoon.

"I’ll be more cautious because we’re nearing the end of the season.

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"Regardless of where we’re I was at and what I was doing, the games towards the back end of the season become season defining.

"Over the course of 42 games, you might have to change your goalkeeper once and it might cost you a two or three points but when you get to the back end, it could cost you the season.

"There’s no way I’d go into a play-off game without a goalkeeper, I’ve never done that before.

"As we get towards the games where it’s one game and your season is over then potentially we will have a goalkeeper on the bench.

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"I just feel the option of having five outfield players on the bench just gives us more options and is more beneficial on the whole over the course of the season in terms of how we can change the game with the personnel we’ve got.

"I’ll continue to roll the dice if you like in the hope that it doesn’t cost us but for me it’s about having the options available to give us the best chance of winning,” added the Pools boss.

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