Lee Clark's verdict on Jack Hunter's return to Hartlepool United defensive role after being dropped
Hartlepool United duo Jack Hunter and Liam Gibson have won praise.
Jack Hunter and Liam Gibson have won praise from Hartlepool United head coach Lee Clark after their performances in the 1-0 win over Woking.
Club captain Hunter was recalled to the starting line-up after being dropped for the FC Halifax Town defeat but Hunter, a central midfielder by trade, was named in the centre of defence. Summer signing Gibson, meanwhile, was in at left-back as Clark had to contend with a number of defensive injuries.
Pools had started Clark’s first season in charge in impressive fashion with wins against Barrow and Aldershot Town in the opening week of the season - but defeats against Sutton United, Eastleigh and FC Halifax Town raised the pressure ahead of Saturday’s home clash with Woking, forward Chris Popov was on hand to earn Pools a hard-fought and much-needed three points. After the game Clark was asked about the performance of Pools duo Hunter & Gibson.
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Clark said: “You know what I think of Jack, he's a great lad, he's a great professional, no qualms when I ask him to do that, we actually were down to the bare bones, and I didn't want to start Brooklyn [Ilunga] at left-back, because I wanted us to be on the front foot and have pace in the wide attacking areas.
“I thought Jack slotted in at centre-half well, I thought Liam Gibson was terrific at left-back, up until he got cramp, but I thought he was outstanding, his aggression, his positional play, his quality on the ball was top. So yeah, we had to manoeuvre things about [Friday] night and this morning, but the lads who come in were super.”
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