Dave Challinor reflects on 'very strange' 50 games in charge at Hartlepool United

It proved to be a frustrating evening for the Pools boss and his side as they were held to a 0-0 draw at Wrexham despite having numerous opportunities to take three points.

Challinor’s 50 game record stands at 22 wins, 13 draws and 15 defeats. His 44-per-cent win percentage is higher than several highly esteemed former Pools managers including Cyril Knowles, Danny Wilson, Neale Cooper (first spell), Brian Clough and Chris Turner.

Hopefully, he’s still in the early stages of his spell at the club but it has certainly been one to remember so far.

“It’s probably been unique in terms of how it’s panned out,” Challinor admitted.

“It’s very strange and half of the 50 have probably been played without crowds in so it has been odd but really enjoyable.

"We came in and had to make some changes last year. We’ve got a team out there that I’m proud of and hopefully all the Hartlepool supporters are proud of and fingers crossed by the back end of the season, we’ll be closer to 100 games and giving everyone something to cheer about.”

Pools are now third in the National League table having passed the halfway stage in the campaign.

It’s the best chance the side have had at achieving promotion in 14 years and one Challinor doesn’t plan on squandering.

"If we can replicate what we’ve done so far then we’ll give ourselves a real shot,” he told The Mail.

“There will be plenty of twists and turns still to come and there will be times where we have runs against teams in and around us and hopefully those teams have difficult spells.

"We’ve just got to keep cracking away to give ourselves an opportunity. If that’s by keeping ourselves in there until the back end of April and into May then brilliant.

"But I think it’s just about keeping up what we’ve been doing because I’ve been delighted with what I’ve seen from the group and there’s still improvement to come.”

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