Hartlepool United captain heaps praise on "fantastic" Nicky Featherstone and Elliott Dickman
Hartlepool United captain Tom Parkes has been reflecting on the "fantastic" impact made by manager Nicky Featherstone and first team coach Elliott Dickman.
Even the most optimistic of fans would have struggled to imagine their side being in such a strong position after Pools were dumped out of the FA Cup at the fourth qualifying round stage by Northern Premier League Premier Division side Gainsborough Trinity at the beginning of October, Featherstone and Dickman's first game in charge.
Looking back, the outpouring of anger that followed that miserable night, one of the club's worst in recent history, was probably more than a little harsh on the new-look coaching staff.
After all, Pools were still reeling from the sudden sacking of Simon Grayson, who was dismissed after the initial tie ended in a 1-1 draw, while Featherstone had no fit centre-halves to call upon for the replay, forcing him to turn to midfielders Nathan Sheron and Jack Hunter.
Yet, remarkably, Featherstone and Dickman have managed to transform their side's fortunes, with Pools setting out on an impressive run of seven games unbeaten - four wins and three draws - prior to Saturday's defeat at the hands of a resurgent Yeovil.
While a run of 15 points from 21 available saw Pools propel themselves back into National League play-off contention, it was also enough to convince divisive chairman and owner Raj Singh to appoint Featherstone as manager until the end of the season - ahead of a rather ominously titled "review of performance" - before Dickman penned a deal to remain as first team coach earlier this week.
Parkes, who has been an important part of his side's recent improvements and has started all of the last five matches, was full of praise for the "brilliant" pair when speaking to The Red Radio.
"Both of them have been brilliant," he said.
"The gaffer's been fantastic since he's been in and took the job.
"Elliott's been fantastic as well, his training sessions have been brilliant.
"The training's been fantastic, the lads have been working hard and you can see what we're trying to do in the games."