Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor looking to manage expectations following near perfect start to the 2020-21 National League season

Pools are currently sitting top of the National League table with 10 points from their opening four games following Tuesday night’s 0-0 draw against Bromley at Victoria Park.

Despite watching his side win their opening three games to the season, Challinor admitted that he had no expectations on his side to keep the streak going.

“I don’t expect anything when it comes to results, you can’t control that,” he said.

“I expect us to work hard and I’ve said since I first came here that I can’t guarantee we’ll win football matches but I’ll guarantee that we put a team out that I’ll put my name to and the supporters can be proud of and we got that on Tuesday night."

And the Hartlepool boss feels the performances from his side are giving them a reputation amongst their National League rivals.

“It does show, that teams coming here to The Vic have given us an awful lot of respect, which we’ve earned,” Challinor added.

“We need to get better and keep improving. I hate not winning, I don’t mind drawing when we put in performances like we did against Bromley.

"We’ll win a lot more than we’ll lose playing like that and the fact the players were disappointed afterwards shows where we are in terms of our mindset and what we expect of each other. We’re undefeated, we’ll take a point and draws are good if they keep runs going.”

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