New Hartlepool United boss John Askey highlights 'importance' of a winning start against Walsall

Askey faces the first of 13 games to try and save Hartlepool’s Football League status after he was confirmed as the club’s new manager following the dismissal of Keith Curle in the wake of the 1-0 defeat to Newport County.

That defeat left Hartlepool one point and one place above the relegation zone with Crawley Town holding four games in hand.

It means the pressure will immediately fall on Askey to try and secure enough points to beat the drop with the former York City boss aware he will need to hit the ground running.

And Askey has highlighted how victory over the Saddlers could prove to be a springboard for the players’ confidence.

“Every time you go out to play the pressure is on to win a game,” Askey told The Mail.

“We know the importance of trying to get off to a winning start. But it won’t decide the season.

“It could have a big effect because it could give the players the confidence they need and all they need is a win to give them that belief so it’s vital from that point of view.

“But I’ve been at teams where I’ve not won on my first game where we’ve improved and gradually got to where we need to be, but we haven’t got much time.

“Everybody knows the importance of the game. We’re running out of games. We’ve got 13 left but there’s 39 points to get so we can do it.”

Askey will already be faced with a dilemma, however, as, like Curle against Newport, he will be without an established right-back.

Jamie Sterry remains missing as he serves the final game of his three match suspension for a red card picked up against Crewe Alexandra while Dan Dodds is sidelined with a groin injury - although the news is more positive than first feared on the former Middlesbrough man.

Curle opted to play left-back David Ferguson at right-back with academy defender Louis Stephenson on the bench and Askey, keen not to give away his approach to Walsall, has said to expect the unexpected.

“We don’t really want to tell Walsall what to expect. So expect the unexpected. If I think it’s the right thing to do then I’ll do it,” said Askey.

“Dan will probably be out for two or three weeks so hopefully not too long. He’s been doing well and we could do with him but I think that’s how the season has been going really.

“They’re a good group,” Askey added.

“Their attitude was good to training. Tony [Sweeney] has been a big help and hopefully he will be in the future.

“I’m still trying to assess everybody, I haven’t had much time to do that. We’ve only really had a day to look at the players so some of it will be looking at what we’ve got.”

Askey could welcome back Nicky Featherstone after the captain participated in training this week.