Dave challinor sets goalscoring target for Hartlepool United midfielder Nicky Featherstone

The Hartlepool United midfielder has netted three goals in 20 games so far this season, just one short of his total for 2019-20.

The 32-year-old is into his 15th season as a professional, but has never scored more than four goals over the course of a campaign.

But he has been a crucial part of Dave Challinor’s side over the past two seasons and has never missed a game since the former AFC Fylde manager took charge at the club in November 2019.

In Ryan Donaldson’s absence, Featherstone has been donning the captain’s armband as Pools have climbed to second in the National League table following four straight wins. He also netted his first goal from open play in last weekend’s 3-1 win over Wealdstone.

“Feaths has divided opinion at this football club, but he’s been brilliant for us,” Challinor commented.

"He’s changed himself, we’ve demanded more from him while previously he probably didn’t have those demands but he’s taken it on massively.

"He’s a really important player, he usually scores spectacular goals, but for him to score a scrappy goal like he did against Wealdstone is great.

“Over the course of the season, although he’s not renowned for scoring, with him taking penalties and his quality from the edge of the box, he should be getting between five and 10 goals for us.

“That will be made a whole lot easier if he’s getting in the right areas and scoring those scrappy goals too.”

Featherstone is currently enjoying his seventh season at Hartlepool as the club bid for promotion back to the Football League. And over the past 18-months, the midfielder has been continually highlighted as one of the side’s stand-out players.

“I don’t know what it is,” Featherstone said when discussing what he’s changed. “I’m enjoying the way in which we play, I’m playing most games and the manager is giving me the responsibility on the pitch to make my own decisions as well.

"I don’t know exactly what it is but I’m enjoying training, coming in every day and playing the games and I suppose if you’re happy with your work then that can make a big difference.”

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