Hartlepool United ace Tyrese Sinclair can make the difference in Truro City test - this is what he needs to do

Tyrese Sinclair has been challenged to adapt his game after the Hartlepool United forward became a target for opposition defences in recent weeks.

The York City winger joined Pools on loan in January as he became one of the first new additions made by the club in the aftermath of a takeover by American businessman Landon Smith. After grabbing his first two goals for Pools in a 4-3 win against his old club Solihull Moors last month, Sinclair added a third goal in his first four appearances when he netted in an impressive 3-1 victory against Carlisle United just days later.

However, the 25-year-old drew blanks in home defeats against Sutton United and FC Halifax Town over the last ten days as both sides opted to ‘double up’ on him when he made his way into dangerous areas on the pitch. Pools boss Nicky Featherstone has backed Sinclair to make an impact in Saturday’s trip to Truro City no matter what approach the hosts will take - but he also wants the winger’s team-mates to take some responsibility to help his side claim the points.

He told BBC Radio Tees: “We can’t be reliant on one player to win us games of football. Ty has also got to understand that if he is taking up two players then he has to pass it to the right man and the man that is free. His decision making has got to change if that’s the case, if teams are going to double up on him and that. It’s not just down to the rest of the lads and Ty has got to understand that he might have to change his position slightly, adjust to the opposition, he might have to be really unselfish in terms of taking two players away and then we free up another player.

“We can’t be reliant on Ty but he also can’t think he’s got to win it himself and he’s got to see that if that’s the case in terms of opposition doubling up on him. He will help either way because if he takes two players away it’ll help somebody else, if he’s left one on one I’d fancy him to produce some moments so he will be massively important moving forward along with the rest of the lads because they have to start chipping in as well.”

Respect

Saturday’s game will see Featherstone go head-to-head with his former Pools manager John Askey and the current man in charge at the Prestige Group Stadium has revealed how much respect he has for the Truro boss.

He said: “We played against them in the reverse fixture and I’ve got a lot of time and respect for John. He treated me well and was always honest with me when I played and didn’t play. So yes, I’ve got a lot of respect for John, a really likeable guy and a top manager, as he has proven countless times at a number of clubs.” Featherstone confirmed Tom Parkes will miss due to concussion protocols and is awaiting news on Gavan Holohan’s knee injury and Reiss McNally and Luke Charman will miss out once again.

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