Hartlepool United defender Reiss McNally hoping Pools can build on positive York City performance ahead of Solihull Moors showdown
Hartlepool United defender Reiss McNally is hoping Pools can build on a much-improved performance against title-chasing York City when they make the trip to Solihull Moors this weekend.
The popular centre-half, who has filled in at right-back and on the left side of a back three since returning from a hamstring injury that kept him out for around three-and-a-half months, is gearing up for a return to one of his former sides on Saturday ahead of what he described as a "must-win" game. As a youngster, McNally spent two separate spells at Damson Park but knows there will be no room for sentimentality in the West Midlands this weekend as Pools prepare for a showdown that could prove hugely significant in the race for a National League play-off place.
By the time Pools kick-off on Saturday, it will have been 10 days since Nicky Featherstone's side were last in action after the scheduled visit of strugglers Sutton United as well as a long trip to Wealdstone both fell foul of the recent wet weather. In the meantime, results have generally gone in their favour, with Halifax Town, the current occupants of the coveted seventh spot, suffering a shock defeat to rock bottom Gateshead, who had been in the midst of a record-breaking run of 16 successive defeats, in midweek.
All of a sudden, Pools' fading play-off ambitions seem to have been given a shot in the arm following a shock result that few could have seen coming. While Featherstone's side still have plenty of work to do - Halifax have a six-point cushion over Pools, although the Shaymen have played a game more, while eighth-placed Southend are four points clear with three games in hand - there are still slim hopes that Pools could gatecrash the top seven between now and the end of term.
In order to give themselves any chance of finishing in the play-off places, Pools will need to string a run of wins together over the coming weeks. Concerningly for supporters, that's something Pools have struggled to do all season; indeed, Featherstone's side have only recorded back-to-back victories three times this term, with their longest winning run stretching to a mere three matches. With big games against promotion-chasing Carlisle United and play-off rivals Halifax on the horizon, Pools will be painfully aware of the need to banish the inconsistency that's plagued them for so much of the season.
This weekend's trip to a Solihull side who know that three points would see them leapfrog Pools in the National League table and revive their own fading play-off hopes therefore feels significant for a whole host of different reasons. As Featherstone readily admitted in the week, a draw is unlikely to be hugely beneficial to either side while defeat for Pools would all but end their dreams of returning to the Football League for another season. A win, however, would lay down a real marker to the rest of their rivals.
A lot of the interest ahead of kick-off will be surrounding what formation Featherstone choses to field at Damson Park. Having looked rather plodding and pedestrian in his favoured 4-2-3-1 in recent weeks, the Pools boss switched to a 3-4-3 formation for last week's trip to title-chasing York. Although a 103rd minute penalty from Josh Stones condemned Pools to an agonising defeat in the cruelest of fashions, there was plenty to be proud of from a far more purposeful display at the York Community Stadium.
While the somewhat unconventional 3-4-3 formation certainly takes some mastering - the last time Pools utilised the shape it yielded a sensational win over league leaders Rochdale as well as thumping 4-0 defeat at the hands of mid-table Woking - the change seemed to bring the best out of Featherstone's side and it would be a surprise were the 37-year-old not to stick with it in the West Midlands.
Whatever the case, Pools have been bolstered by the recent return of McNally, who had been enjoying a stellar start to his Pools career after sealing a summer switch from National League North outfit Kidderminster Harriers when he was struck down by a serious hamstring injury in September. Since his return at the end of December - ironically, his first game back was the statement win over high-flying Rochdale - the 25-year-old has operated in a whole host of different and generally unfamiliar positions.
Perhaps as a result, there is a sense that McNally is still to rediscover the impressive form that made him such a fan favourite at the start of the season and there have been times of late when he's looked a little uncertain, particularly at right-back. That said, after returning to a more central role last time out - albeit on the left of a back three - McNally looked back to his best against all-conquering York, impressing with his athleticism and composure on the ball while also heading home his second goal of the campaign.
With Pools as a whole having also shown signs of significant improvement in North Yorkshire, McNally is hoping his side can take some momentum from their spirited showing last week into a huge game on Saturday as he prepares to reunite with one of his former sides.
"We've been working hard in training, working on what we can build on and bring into the matches," the defender told BBC Radio Tees Sport.
"I think everyone just wants to get back out there now; you can train all you want, but it's the matches you want to play in.
"Me personally, the Wednesday to Saturday would have been a quick turnaround, so I think it was good for everyone to get that extra bit of recovery in, especially for some of the other lads as well. It's one of them, you can also build momentum as well. The York game was a bit of a tough one to take but there were a lot of positives and we're looking forward to Saturday now and, hopefully, getting three points.
"After the game on Wednesday, I was feeling it a bit to be fair, so a break was needed. Credit to the staff, Jake (Lloyd, strength and conditioning coach) and Danny (O'Connor, physio), they've managed me quite well in terms of my recovery. At the same time, I just love playing matches. Since Rochdale, I think I've played every game and that's all I want to do.
"I was out for just under four months, so there are still things I'm trying to develop and bring back into my game. It's one of them, you're only as good as your last game so, worst case scenario, I make sure I give it all my effort every time.
"Every game is a must-win at the minute. The boys are going to go in confident and do our best to try and achieve that. It's frustrating any time you drop points, but even more so when you check the league table. We just have to focus on the next game and if three points is the maximum we can get, then we have to make sure we get that."