Hartlepool United manager Nicky Featherstone insists Pools are improving under his leadership
Hartlepool United manager Nicky Featherstone is confident Pools are making progress under his leadership but insists there is more to come from his side.
The 37-year-old, who is the club's third highest appearance-maker of all-time and has spent well over a decade at Victoria Park, is set to take charge of his 18th game since he replaced Simon Grayson, initially on an interim basis, in October. Remarkably, that means that Featherstone will have been in charge for more matches than any of his five immediate predecessors while he already ranks as positively long-serving compared to the likes of Paul Hartley, who was sacked after 11 matches, Richard Money, dismissed after just 8 games, and Paul Murray, who lasted a mere seven matches.
While Pools had become notorious for sacking managers under controversial former owner Raj Singh, Featherstone will be hoping that the club are prepared to adopt a more measured approach in the wake of American businessman and investor Landon Smith's takeover of the club on New Year's Eve. Although it's true that Featherstone, who divided opinion on the terraces during his playing days, still has plenty of work to do to win over large parts of the fanbase, even his most ardent of critics would be hard-pressed to argue that Pools haven't made progress under his stewardship.
Indeed, Featherstone's win record of 41 per cent - Pools have won seven, drawn five and lost five of his first 17 matches at the helm - compares favourably to almost all of his predecessors. Of the last 23 permanent managers to brave the dugout at Victoria Park, only promotion-winning boss Dave Challinor - 45.6 per cent - and former England international Kevin Phillips - 43.8 per cent - have a more impressive win record in the North East.
Yet it's also true that Pools, wo currently sit ninth in the National League table and are three points outside the play-off places, still have lots of improving to do if they're to turn themselves into genuine promotion contenders and Featherstone has often been criticised for a perceived negativity when it comes to tactics and team selection. What's more, Featherstone has overseen a couple of the worst results in the club's entire history, with Pools dumped out of the FA Cup at the fourth qualifying round stage by Northern Premier League Premier Division side Gainsborough Trinity in his first game in charge - in fairness, Featherstone had been granted less than 72 hours to prepare for the game in the wake of the sudden sacking of Grayson - before losing to Northern Premier League Division One Midlands minnows Anstey Nomads in the FA Trophy.
While many fans remain divided over whether or not Featherstone is the right man to lead the club beyond this season, his achievements since taking charge mean he must, at the very least, have done enough to merit serious consideration. After all, he masterminded a run of seven matches unbeaten having taken over with Pools having won just one of their previous 11 games, while he has helped lead his side to within touching distance of the National League play-off places.
Even so, a lot can change in a short space of time in the notoriously cutthroat world of football and Featherstone will likely need a strong end to the season if he's to ensure he remains in charge ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
"I don't count that Gainsborough game as one of mine! So it's my 17th game on Saturday," Featherstone said.
"We're here to win games - it hasn't been perfect, I know that. I want to attack more, I want to be more front-footed. Overall - and I'm basing it pretty much on the league - we've played 15 league games, we've won seven, drawn five and lost three. It's not a bad record - we've definitely improved since coming in.
"What excites me is if we can do that with the group that we've got now and then we can add three or four more quality additions going forward, then that's pretty exciting for me.
"In terms of how I've found it, I spoke to Joe Monks and Tom Bevan and Elliott (Dickman), the assistant, as well and we were talking about what we've had to deal with recently. Joe Monks said to me that this isn't normal, we've had to deal with an awful lot of stuff off the field.
"It'll be nice to kick on now and fully focus on the football side and improving this squad. We will get better, 100 per cent we will get better, these players that we're looking to bring in will improve us. It's really exciting.
"I've loved it so far, I'm really enjoying it. I haven't enjoyed the inconsistency, that's not been a nice thing at times. When we lose it's my fault, I'm big enough and old enough to take that responsibility and I understand the role.
"What a feeling when you win, what a feeling when a game plan comes off like at Rochdale away when we went to top of the league and beat them quite convincingly; that's because of the setup and then the players implementing it.
"I'm really enjoying it - I'll get better, we'll get better and we'll improve as we go on. These players coming in now will make us a much better team."