Hartlepool United winger Kudus Oyenuga gets boss’s backing

The winger made his first start for Hartlepool United last week and responded by scoring the winner in the FA Cup success over Cheltenham Town.

Moore wants the 22-year-old Londoner to have the confidence to go out and express himself without the fear of losing his place.

The Pools boss opted for Oyenuga in the XI against the Robins in preference to on-loan Wycombe winger Jason Bantford and his choice was justified.

“The only way you find out if they are good enough is to throw them in,” said Moore.

“He came on in one game and was awful – he’ll hold up his hands about that.

“When I told him he was playing, he was very nervous, but I think that’s a confidence thing.

“It needs to be a case of ‘go on, get out there’ and him knowing we won’t pull him out unless he’s awful.

“I’ll say to him ‘go and show what you can do’.

“Hopefully he’ll progress for us.”

Oyenuga will start again on Sunday when Pools host Leyton Orient.

“Kudus scored and there’s more to come from him – that’s the nature of the beast as a winger,” said Moore, who says he’s a fan of widemen but accepts there can be off-days.

“You saw five or 10 minutes in that game when he’s waltzed by people, expressed a pace, desire and quality on the ball.

“He has quality and we ask for 25 or 30 minutes of it to win a game.

“Wingers can be so, so good for a team, but they can also be so, so bad as well, especially away from home if they don’t stick to the shape.

“But, at this level, that’s what you get.”