‘We need to find a solution’ – Dave Challinor discusses fitness issues with Hartlepool United players

Pools’ FA Trophy penalty shootout defeat at Halifax Town saw Challinor make eight changes to his side as several fringe players were brought into the starting line-up.

As a manager, Challinor plays close attention to player fitness and the data gathered both in training and matches in order to maintain high levels of physical output from his squad.

And with some players still falling short of their set targets, the Pools boss is looking to rectify the issue.

“The issue is we had players out there on Saturday who we knew would struggle to complete 90-minutes,” Challinor said.

“For a lot of reasons, that’s why they don’t start week in week out so they’ve got to be responsible for that.

“You’ve got to be in a position where you're able to complete 90-minutes. Luke [Williams], for example, knows he’s not there yet so we’ve got to keep working on that.”

Josh MacDonald was handed only his second start of the season against his former club on Saturday but was taken off shortly after half-time.

Challinor commented on the winger’s performance in training ahead of the match and admitted afterwards that he’s still slightly short fitness wise – a problem he’s still looking to get to the bottom of.

"A few players are short of minutes, Joe Bunney hasn’t played a lot of games but he was still able to get through the 90,” Challinor added.

"Josh MacDonald is the same in the fact that he’s not played a lot of football but he’s cramping up after 55-minutes.

"From our perspective that is a difficult one as it forces us to make a substitution so early when we’ve only got three substitutes and we’d used one already for Luke at half-time.

“Josh needs to look at that and we do too, we’ve been looking at his diet and what he is drinking before games and we need to find a solution to that one.”

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