Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor defends tactical approach at King's Lynn Town following 2-2 draw

Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor explained his tactical decisions following Tuesday night’s 2-2 draw at King’s Lynn Town.
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Pools started the game with three centre-backs and quickly found themselves trailing to the National League strugglers at The Walks.

After pulling a goal back through Luke Armstrong, King’s Lynn retook the lead on the stroke of half-time, giving Challinor plenty of food for thought at the break.

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“The shape we started with would have been great if we scored the first goal,” the Hartlepool boss told The Mail.

Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News)Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News)
Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News)

“If we got that then we could then have sat off with a mid-press and allowed them to come onto us and then counter attack.

"I want us to be consistent with the shape we play but with us being behind, we wanted to be on the front foot and wanted to press and our shape really needed to be a 4-3-3.”

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Pools shifted to a 4-3-3 after half-time with Rhys Oates coming on to head in the equalising goal.

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“We tried to play a 4-3-3 with the personnel we had on the pitch but half-time gave us the opportunity to make a change to a more natural back four and get Oatesy into a wide area,” Challinor added.

"Especially with them playing a diamond, we could put their full-backs under pressure. Mols [Luke Molyneux] did it in the first half with [Tai] Fleming who is probably more comfortable being a centre-half.

"Oatesy gave him a difficult time again after coming on at half time and just lacked that bit of quality to get the ball into the right area and get us another goal.

“I thought we were going to go on and win the game at the end. From corners and free-kicks, we’ve put the balls into really good areas and someone has got to get their head on it and get the winner.

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"You could argue we deserved it but it wasn’t to be. It’s another game undefeated but we have to go and win on Saturday because even though the games aren’t running out if you like, it becomes a better point if we back it up with three.

"We’ve got to take the wrap for not doing enough to win tonight so that one lies in our court.”

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