Here's what Dave Challinor said about Hartlepool United's points return from a busy week on the road at Halifax Town, Torquay United and Altrincham
It’s been a busy week on the road for Hartlepool United as they return to the north east unbeaten.
A draw at Halifax Town last Tuesday was backed up with an impressive win at Torquay United before a 1-1 draw at Altrincham this Tuesday.
Prior to this run of games, Pools had lost five of their last six away matches in all competitions. So to take five points out of a possible nine is a respectable return for Dave Challinor.
“I spoke to the players about this to be fair,” he told The Mail.
“Out of the three games, nine points is brilliant, seven points is a great return, six points wouldn’t have been the worst and then five points you can say at least you’re unbeaten with five points and it’s probably better than six points when it comes down to us beating Torquay.
"Five points is still a good return and hopefully we can make it eight points from the four games with a win on Saturday against Eastleigh.
"If you can maintain that two points per game average then come the end of the season that can win leagues in normal circumstances.”
The draw at Altrincham takes Pools up to second in the National League table but new leaders Sutton United and third placed Torquay both have several games in hand on Challinor’s side.
But the Hartlepool boss is only concerned about what he can control himself.
“It doesn’t make a difference to me what other teams do, it’s about what we do and on Tuesday I thought we were excellent for the first 25-minutes,” he added.
“The comedown from winning such a big game at the weekend is always something you’re wary of. It’s a big game so the motivation is already there and people are right up for it.
"All of a sudden we’re coming to Altrincham on a Tuesday but these are the places where it’s going to be tough and we have to show character and winning mentality.
"From the start of the game we were bang at it and circumstances dictated that we didn’t get the best chance of taking three points. If we kept 11 men on the pitch I think we would have taken three points because we looked a real threat.”