Attack is still the best form of defence for Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor as he looks to address issues

While being reduced to 10-men at Barnet on Saturday meant Pools struggled to execute their desired game plan effectively, Challinor pointed to his side’s 2-0 win over Stockport County the week prior as a perfect example of attacking being the best form of defence.

And it’s something the United boss is hoping to implement more consistently moving forward.

“As much as you think that the best way of defending is to put more defenders in, if you can control the outlook and the tempo of the game in possession by being more expansive then that can be far more effective,” Challinor said.

“That’s because if you have players applying pressure going forward, they’re going to have players back.

“As long as we get are full-backs up the pitch, chances are two of the opposition’s forward players are going to be 70-yards from our goal which is where we want them to be.

“We want to defend by attacking if you like by being on the front foot – that’s obviously difficult when you’re a man down.

“If we can control possession and get people in the right areas then it will make my life a lot more comfortable and give the players more confidence that they can control a game without being close to our goal.

“I’ll be demanding that of the players and they seem to be taking it on board.”