Hartlepool United 2-1 Rochdale RECAP: Graeme Lee wins his first league game in charge at the Suit Direct Stadium

Pools welcome Rochdale to the Suit Direct Stadium looking to end a run of five straight defeats in the league that has seen them drop to 17th in the table.

The last time Lee stepped out at the Suit Direct Stadium came 5,038 days ago when he featured in the heart of the Pools defence in a 1-0 defeat to Northampton Town.

And Lee has admitted he can’t wait to experience the emotions of being back at the Suit Direct Stadium this evening.

“You just want it to be kick-off and you just want the game to be here,” said Lee.

“Seeing the atmosphere when I’ve been in previous weeks - I came to the Exeter game and I looked at the fans and how they were and I just wanted to be in the dugout. I wanted that to be me.

“That is going to be me on Wednesday night and I just can’t wait.”

Meanwhile club director Adrian Bevington has also revealed the decision behind the appointment of Lee and his assistant, Michael Nelson, insisting the board were hugely impressed by their leadership skills.

"What was very impressive was the clarity in which they spoke when we sat down with them,” said Pools’ non-executive director.

“It was really seamless how they presented it. Obviously they’re both on the same page in their thinking which was really important to us.

"We feel that their leadership skills are really important for what we need to take us forward.”

Pools arrive here this evening on the back of two impressive displays in the Papa John’s Trophy and the FA Cup.

Lee’s side will face Bolton Wanderers in the third round of the Papa John’s Trophy after their win over Sheffield Wednesday while the reward for their 1-0 win over Lincoln City at the weekend will be a home tie with Championship side Blackpool in the third round of the FA Cup..

Stay tuned to the Hartlepool Mail for team news and updates at the Suit Direct Stadium as Pools host Rochdale in League Two.

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