Our Hartlepool United writer Robbie Stelling has graded and assessed every Pools player as Nicky Featherstone's side gear up for the National League run-in.
1. Harvey Cartwright: A+
Surely the best goalkeeper Pools have had since relegation back to the National League in 2023, Cartwright arrived on loan from Hull on the eve of the new season and kept a remarkable seven clean sheets in 13 appearances before being forced to return to East Yorkshire prematurely in October. Admittedly aided by a rock solid defence in front of him, the 23-year-old kept four clean sheets in his first four Pools games and produced a string of outstanding performances, impressing with his confidence and command of his area. Felt like a huge blow when he trudged off 37 minutes into October's defeat to rivals Carlisle with an injury that curtailed his loan spell in the North East. As long as his body allows, looks destined to carve out a successful career in the Football League. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
2. Adam Smith: C
The veteran has made just one National League appearance this season, replacing Cartwright after he limped off against Carlisle. While his distribution, as so often, left a lot to be desired in Cumbria, he produced a fine late save from Stephen Wearne to help keep the scoreline respectable. Made his one and only Pools start this term during December's humiliating FA Trophy defeat at the hands of Northern Premier League Division One Midlands side Anstey Nomads, not a day anyone connected with the club will want to remember. The fact that Pools moved so quickly to sign George Evans when Cartwright was forced to return to parent club Hull before hastily completing a permanent deal for Southend's Nick Hayes after Evans was recalled by Millwall suggests the 33-year-old is no longer trusted as a player following a series of high profile mistakes at the back end of last season. Nonetheless, he retains an important role as the club's goalkeeping coach and the performances of Cartwright and Evans this term suggest he must be doing something right. Photo: Frank Reid
3. George Evans: B+
The fact that Pools hardly missed the superb Cartwright is testament to the impact of Evans, who kept four clean sheets in 13 games before being abruptly recalled from his loan spell with Millwall. Although he never looked quite as confident as Cartwright, especially with the ball at his feet, the 20-year-old nonetheless produced a string of impressive performances and made a number of eye-catching saves. Having been thrust straight into the starting XI, the young goalkeeper was man-of-the-match on his debut against rivals York, saved a penalty from Will Harris during a battling 1-0 win over play-off chasing Halifax and made a stunning late stop from substitute Lewis Walker to preserve a clean sheet against Braintree before Christmas. Much like Cartwright, showed more than enough during his time at Victoria Park to suggest he could be set for bigger and better things. Photo: Frank Reid
4. Nick Hayes: C+
The 26-year-old arrived with a good reputation having reached the National League play-off final with both Solihull Moors and Southend, while he was also part of the Barnet side who were crowned champions last term. Nonetheless, Hayes has endured a somewhat indifferent start to life at Victoria Park, keeping two clean sheets in his first five matches but also producing very nervous displays against Gateshead and Aldershot. Given his impressive size and stature, his seeming reluctance to come off his line and dominate his area, particularly during the humbling defeat at the hands of the Shots, represents a bit of a concern. Made a number of important saves during Saturday's draw with Tamworth. Photo: Frank Reid