Jack Hunter hails Hartlepool United's 'resilience', 'grit' and 'fight' following back-to-back goalless draws over Easter weekend
Hartlepool United midfielder Jack Hunter hailed his side's "resilience", "grit" and "fight" following back-to-back goalless draws over the Easter weekend.
Having been on the wrong end of a 7-0 humiliation at the hands of Wealdstone last week, the club's heaviest defeat since 1994 and the worst of Hunter's entire career, Pools responded with battling stalemates against promotion hopefuls Scunthorpe United and title-chasing Rochdale.
While Pools have now failed to score in three successive matches - indeed, Nicky Featherstone's side have drawn a blank in 14 of their 45 games this term - Hunter and his teammates did at least manage to salvage some pride over the Easter weekend.
Given their nightmarish defensive showing at Grosvenor Vale, it was perhaps little surprise that solidity, structure and organisation took precedence against Scunthorpe and Rochdale.
Having lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in North Lincolnshire on Good Friday, with the versatile Hunter operating in front of the back four, Pools reverted to a 3-4-3 against Rochdale.
On Easter Monday, Hunter found himself dropping back into defence, operating on the right of a central three and coming up against former Pools frontman Mani Dieseruvwe.
Having scored 43 goals in 89 games during a prolific spell at Victoria Park, Dieseruvwe signed for Rochdale over the summer after failing to agree a new contract in the North East and the experienced striker came into Monday's game having found the net 24 times in 36 league outings for Jimmy McNulty's side.
Despite his formidable record, Hunter, along with the impressive Maxim Kougoun and Cameron John, kept Dieseruvwe quiet while the rest of Dale's normally potent front line found it difficult to create much in the way of clear-cut chances.
True, things might have been different had Dan Moss not crashed his header off the upright but it's hard to remember Pools goalkeeper Nick Hayes having too many noteworthy saves to make.
While Pools can afford to feel proud of their spirited showings over the weekend, the fact is that Featherstone's side must now come to terms with the prospect of a fourth successive season in the National League; seventh placed Southend United, who eased past Sutton United at the weekend, now have an almost unassailable nine-point advantage.
Although Monday's clash might well prove to be hugely significant at the top end of the National League - dropped points for Dale allowed title rivals York City to move two points clear with three games remaining - Pools are now staring down the barrel of another season of mediocrity and Featherstone will have to find a way to motivate his players between now and the end of the campaign.
The obvious answer to the question of how to ensure the players remain focused is that many of the Pools squad are hoping to secure a new contract at the end of the campaign.
Having impressed since being brought back into the fold by Featherstone, Hunter can be relatively confident of a new deal but the 28-year-old will doubtless be mindful to finish another turbulent season on a positive note.
"It was good. It was a good performance," Hunter told BBC Radio Tees Sport after his side's hard-fought goalless draw with Rochdale.
"We're obviously disappointed that we didn't win it, I think we had the better of the chances, but as a team we showed good resilience.
"We're disappointed we didn't get a goal for the fans, but everyone gave their all and we're pleased.
"Obviously, we know what happened at Wealdstone wasn't acceptable and it was important that we bounced back and showed some resilience for the fans that pay money to come and watch us play football.
"I'm pleased that the lads showed some grit - it would have been easy to go under after what happened last week, but I think the lads have shown that they're here to fight.
"It's frustrating that we are where we are, we'd love to be in the play-offs but we haven't done enough.
"Today (Monday), I think everyone showed really good work rate and togetherness and I'm happy with it.
"It (Wealdstone) was the heaviest defeat of my career and that isn't easy to take.
"Being a part of it, you have to take responsibility and reflect on it - but then you have to bounce back.
"In football, things come around quickly and it helped that there was such a short space of time before the next game.
"My point to the lads was, 'you have to show resilience now'. People are paying to watch us play football, so it was important we came out and showed some fight.
"The Scunthorpe performance wasn't good enough in terms of on the ball, we know that, but I think we showed today a lot more of what we can do on the ball and it was much better."