New Hartlepool United manager expecting "a really positive response" ahead of Anstey Nomads clash

An impressive run of seven games unbeaten that resulted in Featherstone, who took over from Simon Grayson in October, being named permanent Pools boss last week came to an end following a 2-0 defeat at the hands of a resurgent Yeovil last time out.

Having been so impressive during Featherstone's interim tenure, producing a blistering performance to beat Eastleigh last month as well as battling ones to secure victories over Solihull Moors, Halifax and Truro, Pools were well below their best at the weekend.

For all Pools huffed and puffed - and the hosts went close on a couple of occasions through the lively Matty Daly - Featherstone's side could have few complaints at falling to a first league defeat since October 4 thanks to goals from Aaron Jarvis and the outstanding Luke McCormick, who struck for the third time in two games under new Glovers boss Billy Rowley.

The challenge now for Pools will be to bounce back straight away, with Featherstone already under pressure ahead of a looming "review of performance" set to decide his fate and therefore his managerial future at the end of the season.

The 37-year-old will, of course, be well aware of divisive chairman and owner Raj Singh's notorious lack of patience when it comes to hiring and firing managers, with Featherstone becoming his 14th permanent appointment since he took over the club in 2018.

Yet Featherstone has already proven he can inspire his side to bounce back from disappointment, with their seven-match unbeaten run immediately following their humbling FA Cup exit at the hands of Northern Premier League Premier Division side Gainsborough Trinity in October.

It appears as though Featherstone has galvanised the playing squad, with the likes of Alex Reid and Nathan Sheron throwing their support behind him in recent weeks, but in order to retain the support of the fans, the board and, crucially, Singh himself, the new boss simply has to hit the ground running.

Certainly, Featherstone can ill-afford another embarrassing cup exit when Pools begin their FA Trophy campaign against a Nomads side who have reached the third round of the competition for the first time in their entire history.

While it's hard to avoid the feeling that Saturday's game is, in many ways, a lose-lose for Pools - win, and it's merely what was expected of them against lower league opposition, while defeat would invite significant criticism from all corners and count as a major blot on the new manager's copybook - Featherstone has also been eager to stress the possibility of what would be a first ever visit to Wembley Stadium.

With Pools expected to make changes at the weekend, the new boss insists he's confident his side have what it takes to bounce back ahead of a potentially decisive run of National League matches either side of Christmas.

"The lads have been brilliant again," Featherstone told the official Pools club website.

"Obviously, we were disappointed earlier on in the week, it's our first real setback.

"It's one defeat in eight, you've got to look at the bigger picture I think sometimes.

"You are going to get setbacks throughout the season, and that's what we see it as - it's just a setback.

"Now I'm looking to see what sort of response we get from that, so far in the week it's been absolutely top-drawer.

"The lads have trained brilliantly again, so I'm expecting a really positive response after last week.

"The challenge now is, can we start another unbeaten run?"

Your next Hartlepool United read: How Hartlepool United could line up ahead of FA Trophy clash