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.
5. Louis Stephenson: D
Hard not to feel for the likeable Stephenson, who has made just one substitute appearance for Pools this season, coming off the bench during December's humiliating FA Trophy defeat at the hands of Northern Premier League Division One Midlands side Anstey Nomads. True, by all accounts the 20-year-old failed to set the world alight during a loan spell with National League North outfit Buxton earlier in the campaign, but his lack of opportunities at Victoria Park this term has been difficult to fathom, particularly in light of the club's struggles at right-back for large parts of the season. Although he endured an up-and-down campaign last term, the youngster is so full of passion, commitment and enthusiasm that many fans might have expected him to establish himself in the first team by now. Instead, he looks to be fighting for his Pools future and it's difficult to see where his next opportunity is likely to come from. Photo: Frank Reid
6. Campbell Darcy: B
The versatile teenager scored on his only Pools appearance this season, firing home a late consolation during his side's nightmarish FA Trophy exit against minnows Anstey Nomads in December. Has impressed while on loan at Northern Premier League Premier Division side Hebburn Town this term, although there is a sense he still has some developing to do before he can realistically hope to break into the Pools first team. Photo: Frank Reid
7. Jay Benn: C
Other than a spell on the sidelines following a hamstring injury towards the end of August, the former Lincoln, Solihull and Bradford man has been a regular in the Pools side this season but has endured an up-and-down campaign so far. Started promisingly and appeared to be thriving at wing-back under Simon Grayson but has faded fairly dramatically since then and it doesn't feel like Pools fans have ever really taken to him. Never gives less than 100 per cent and has produced a number of impressive performances, memorably during December's statement win over title-chasing Rochdale, while he's done well enough after being asked to fill in at left-back in recent weeks. Even so, has at times looked vulnerable defensively, while his end product going forward leaves a lot to be desired. Probably hasn't been helped by a lack of cover and competition in his position. Photo: Frank Reid
8. Tom Parkes: B
Struggled a bit at the start of the season and never looked quite comfortable in Simon Grayson's system, which relied heavily on athleticism and mobility, skewing a ball into his own net against Southend over the August bank holiday weekend. A series of knocks and niggles meant he found himself in and out of the side in the opening weeks and months of the campaign but he has been restored to the heart of the defence under Nicky Featherstone, producing a series of monumental performances of late. Was criticised by Featherstone following a mistake that led to a goal during the Boxing Day defeat to Scunthorpe but has hardly put a foot wrong since then, playing far more football than he might have expected as Pools have navigated a busy period. Questions will be asked about how long he has left in his legs, but when it comes to old-fashioned defending and dominating in the air, few can rival Parkes at National League level. Photo: Frank Reid