Hartlepool United assistant feels momentum the key as Pools push for strong end to turbulent season
Hartlepool United assistant manager Gary Liddle is determined to build momentum between now and the end of the season.
While Liddle admitted that Pools have no more than an "outside chance" of sneaking into the National League play-offs this season, Saturday's battling win over bottom club Truro City at least kept Nicky Featherstone's side in touch with the chasing pack.
While Pools were well below their best in the Cornish capital, Charlie Caton's 49th minute strike was enough to secure all three points against a Tinners side who look destined for an immediate return to the National League South.
Even so, Pools have left themselves with a mountain to climb after back-to-back defeats saw them lose ground on Halifax Town, who are five points clear, and Southend United, who boast a four-point cushion with three games in hand.
If Pools are to give themselves any realistic prospect of stealing into the top seven, then they are simply going to have to string a run of wins together.
Given that Pools look to have a really testing run of games at the end of the campaign - Featherstone's side take on Scunthorpe United, Rochdale, Boreham Wood, Forest Green Rovers and Southend United, all sides in the top eight, before finishing the season at in-form Boston United - those wins are likely going to have to come in the next few weeks.
Pools welcome Eastleigh, who are 18th, before travelling to Morecambe, who are 21st, and 10th-placed Wealdstone in their next three matches; in all likelihood, only nine points will be enough to keep them in the hunt.
Whatever the case, it feels important that Pools end the season on a positive note; after all, even if they miss out on the play-offs this term, then new American owner Landon Smith's takeover of the club has given the fanbase a lift ahead of what many supporters are hoping will be an exciting chapter in the club's long and often tumultuous history.
"100 per cent, momentum's the key word," Liddle, who was speaking in place of the suspended Featherstone, told The Red Radio.
"We don't want the season to peter out, we want to give the fans something to celebrate. I have to give a special mention to the fans, I feel like they deserve a massive pat on the back for their commitment in coming to support the team this weekend; we would have liked to give them a bit more to cheer about and a few more goals, but these games are always tough.
"The win gives us a little bit of momentum going into what's a busy period for us now, we've got some winnable games on paper coming up; we've been there before, it's not always the case.
"The main thing is we're still in the pack and with an outside chance of getting to where we want to be. If we can build the momentum going into next season, then that would be great."