Dominic Scurr's column: The subtle changes that have turned Hartlepool United into genuine contenders in the National League

On December 12, Pools were beaten 3-0 at Woking, a result that left Dave Challinor’s side sitting 13th in the National League table.

The Pools boss was furious following the defeat, labelling the performance as ‘embarrassing’ and calling the players to train on Sunday.

While it would be easy to say it’s ‘one to forget’ for Pools, Challinor insisted that wouldn’t be the case.

“I’ll make sure the players don’t forget that because it’s a long way short of what my expectations are.”

Standards have been set high since Challinor’s arrival at Pools. Drop below those standards and prepare to face the manager’s wrath.

Since that Woking game, the reaction from the Pools players has been dramatic with a consistent run of strong performances and results leaving Pools sitting second in the National League table after 17 games.

To call it a transformation over the past month is a bit strong – there have been subtle tweaks that have yielded significant results.

Luke Armstrong

If you have a goalscorer in your team, you’re going to win more games – it’s not rocket science.

To say Pools were screaming out for a player like Luke Armstrong earlier in the season would be something of an understatement.

It was there for all to see, the side were creating chances but their forward players weren’t scoring. A goalscorer was the missing piece of Pools' jigsaw.

And in came Armstrong, Pools’ knight in shining armour here to save the season.

There was a lot of pressure on the Salford City loanee to deliver, the goals had dried up for him since leaving the north east and stepping up into the Football League.

It was a gamble of sorts for Pools too, they had to really push the boat out to secure Armstrong's services given his wages.

But you get what you pay for at the end of the day. Cut corners and you’ll get a sub-par product (nods at the club’s live streaming service), invest in quality and you’ll get quality in return.

As a result, Pools have the most prolific striker in the National League so far this season. If only he'd been here since the very start!

Rhys Oates

The Robin to Armstrong’s Batman – Rhys Oates has been the catalyst behind Pools’ upturn in form.

He’s finally been given a proper run of games in the side and the performances, as well as the goals, have followed.

Oates and work-rate go hand in hand, it’s hard to talk about the player without mentioning the effort he puts in.

But now he’s getting the rewards for it – playing with confidence and a freedom that wasn’t quite there when he first returned back in the summer.

Armstrong’s arrival has alleviated the pressure on Oates to be ‘the main man’ up front, a role which never really suited the 26-year-old.

He’s been given license to drift out wide and be a threat from deep areas with driving runs forward.

When used in the right way, he’s one of Pools’ biggest assets.

Formation change

The introduction of Armstrong and Oates as an attacking pair has helped Pools’ attack find its bite. And the switch to three at the back following the Woking defeat has worked wonders at the opposite end.

With Gary Liddle out with a long-term injury, Pools lacked experience at the heart of defence. Their central defenders were struggling for consistency when playing as part of a back four.

Some matches they would look solid, while in others there would be a complete lack of organisation. An inconsistency Pools couldn’t afford to have.

Playing with three centre-backs has given Pools greater cover at the back. The errors and lapses of concentration are still present, but the recoveries are becoming far more effective.

Jamie Sterry coming in at right wing-back has added some genuine Football League quality to the side. Fearless, loves a tackle and comfortable getting forward – if Pools can keep him they’re on to a winner.

The formation change has also seen captain Ryan Donladson drop out of the side. The versatile 29-year-old previously seemed undroppable as he’d played every league game under Challinor before December.

But the skipper had just one assist to his name all season and simply wasn’t producing the numbers needed for an attacking player.

Prior to the formation change, Challinor was chopping and changing his side in an attempt to recover from a bad run of form. But since switching to a 3-5-2, there the only changes made have been forced and the team’s consistency has subsequently improved.

While it may not be Pools’ ‘strongest line-up’ on paper due to Liddle and Luke Molyneux missing out, it’s certainly proving to be their most effective

Verdict

Being second after 18 games doesn’t mean too much, but there are 21 other National League sides who’d rather be in Pools’ position.

With 27 games left to play and 81 points up for grabs, a lot will change between now and the end of the season with many teams playing catch up.

Challinor’s side have had some good fortune in recent weeks and they’ve benefited from getting their games played and winning them.

Whether it’s down to good luck or good planning, they’ve played the games they have and it’s much better to have points on the board than speculate over how many points you’d get with your games in hand.

In 17 games, Pools have only put in two undeniably bad performances. Firstly against league leaders Torquay United on Halloween, and a month ago at Woking.

Other than that, they’ve played almost every other side in the fifth tier and it’s clear there’s nothing to fear.

Bad results will happen, it’s just about maintaining that consistency, bouncing back from set-backs and continuing to head in the right direction.

A few straight wins in December and January won’t get you promoted, but consistency will.

That’s Pools’ challenge now.

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