Hartlepool United boss Craig Hignett will not rotate team for the sake of it

Craig Hignett admits he might carry out some player rotation before the season is done - but says it's not a big part of his plans as Hartlepool United manager.
Billy Paynter scores his fourth-minute penalty. Picture by FRANK REIDBilly Paynter scores his fourth-minute penalty. Picture by FRANK REID
Billy Paynter scores his fourth-minute penalty. Picture by FRANK REID

Hignett has sparked a significant upturn in form since he replaced Ronnie Moore in the Pools hotseat.

And the threat of relegation from League Two looks a much more distant prospect with the team having moved clear of bottom two Dagenham & Redbridge and York City.

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With plenty of games still to come though, Hignett admits he might have to start looking for some fresh legs at some point.

“Rotation? There might be,” he said.

“But the lads are in a really good place - spirit is good and performances haven’t dropped at all.

“I like a bit of cohesion and the lads have deserved their places in the team – go again and see what you get.

“As a player, I wanted to play all the time.

“I’m not one for rotation for rotation’s sake. I will freshen things up if they need to be.

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“A striker scoring a goal and then leave him out the next week? It’s not for me.

“They’ve earned their shirt and can keep it.”

Hignett is delighted with the progress so far and admits the good form has even surprised himself a little.

“I came in with a plan and an idea how I wanted to go about things,” he explained.

“I’ve got to say it’s been easy.

“I thought results would be up and down for a bit, but I’ve got them where I want them to be sooner than I thought.

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“That’s pleasing for me, and it proves it works. But you have to show it works and convince people it works.

“But they know they are a good team. I’ve told them week after week and they shouldn’t be where they are in the league.

“They have taken what I have said on board and it proves I have some good footballers here because of the way they have gone about it.”