Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor highlights Boreham Wood threats including returning midfielder

Dave Challinor’s side have lost their last two matches at The Vic, scoring none and conceding six as they look to turn their stuttering home form around.

They face a Boreham Wood team who currently sit 18th in the National League table with nine points from their opening nine games.

Despite The Wood’s underwhelming start to the league campaign, Challinor is expecting a tough match against a side who competed in the play-offs last season.

"They’re a good side, they’re in the third round of the FA Cup so have had that distraction,” said the Pools boss.

“We know exactly what we’re going to get from them because they’ve been very consistent in their philosophy, style and shape for the past four years.

"They were the first team I came up against in the National League with my previous club [AFC Fylde] and they’ve not changed from then. They’ll be a back three with wing-backs.

"Kane Smith on the right will bomb up and down and has got really good quality because he should be playing at a level higher than this one. Sorba Thomas on the left has had interest from Championship teams or he can play Zaine Francis-Angol who I know really well from Fylde.”

In midfield, Boreham Wood have a familiar face to Poolies in the form of Gus Mafuta. The midfielder scored four times in 37 appearances for Hartlepool last season before budget cuts led to him joining the Hertfordshire outfit on a free despite being under contract.

"They’ve got Gus who we know all about and he’ll know all about us in centre-midfield alongside [Mark] Ricketts or Kieran Murtagh,” Challinor added.

“Matt Rhead at the top end of the pitch is an experienced goalscorer along with [Kabongo] Tshimanga who is a real threat.

"You know what shape they’re going to have and what they’re going to try and do because they don’t hide behind it, they know their roles and responsibilities and they’re a tough side to play against.

"It’s going to be a difficult game but we’ve got to make sure we’re better than them.”

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