Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor looking for a response against a 'tough' Eastleigh side

It’s been almost two weeks since Pools were humbled 5-0 at home to Torquay United in their previous National League match.

The side’s first defeat of the 2020-21 campaign provided something of a reality check for Challinor’s side as they dusted themselves off and put in a valiant albeit unsuccessful performance in the FA Cup first round at Salford City last weekend.

One thing that has characterised Challinor’s Pools side during his first year in charge is their ability to bounce back from set-backs.

“You know you’re going to lose games and there will be inconsistencies in performances because that’s the level we’re at," he said.

"There are lots of variables but the good teams are able to learn from their defeats and make sure they don’t happen again so they back it up with a result. If you can’t win, make sure you don’t lose.

“What you need to do, you look at the league over the course of the season and the unpredictability of it is crazy. Who you think is the best team in the division may not be the one who wins the league or gets promoted, you’ve got to be consistent and be able to bounce back from set-backs.”

Eastleigh currently sit level on points with Pools in the table with 11 from their opening six games. Both sides have a couple of games in hand on the teams around them due to coronavirus related postponements.

And The Spitfires’ superior goal difference has them occupying the final play-off position at the moment but Challinor is hoping Pools can take their opportunity to climb back into the top seven with a win.

"The table this season is going to be all over the place because of all the uncertainty and games being postponed, you’ll end up with teams having four or five games in hand at any one time,” added the Hartlepool manager.

"Eastleigh are looking at their youth side of things more and bringing players through. They’re a tough, honest team who did well in the FA Cup against a League One team [MK Dons] and I’m sure they’ll be looking to bounce back with a positive result as we are as well.”

Eastleigh started the campaign with an impressive 5-1 win at Barnet and have also beaten Bromley and league leaders Torquay United so far this season.

"They started the season well,” Challinor continued.

“They’ve had a few disappointing results like us but we’re both in a good place with games in hand on the teams above us so we can still have a positive impact on the table.

“When you get a 5-1 win away at Barnet, that can only breed confidence and they’ve continued to pick up positive results, they’ve only lost once and they’ve got a settled group.

“Michael Green, Alex Wynter, Danny Hollands are all experienced players who are settled at the club and they’ve been able to build a team around.

"They’ve brought in a new goalkeeper [Joe McDonnell] and people in forward areas and they’re playing with confidence so it will be another tough test for us.”

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