Nicky Featherstone praised a “great reaction” this week ahead of Hartlepool United’s trip to face Braintree Town in the Enterprise National League on Sunday.
With the Club heading to the midway point of the season, Featherstone told local press: “We had a meeting as staff, before having a meeting with the players.
“I wanted to get inside the lads’ heads and see what they want to achieve in this second half of the season.
“[It was a good] time to reflect and an opportunity to find a common goal – we all have that same belief that we can achieve the goals we’ve set.
“Sunday is an opportunity, like every other game, to get back on track. I don’t want to lose back-to-back league games. It’s important for us to get back to winning ways.”
After Pools were knocked out of the Isuzu FA Trophy last time out to Anstey Nomads, the manager said:
“Physically, the mentality, and the performance weren’t good enough.
“Sometimes you’re not good enough on the day, but it won’t be through a lack of effort, and that’s what was the most disappointing thing for me on Saturday. That can’t – and it won’t – happen again.
“We won’t accept that moving forward – we’ve all agreed that we’ll do everything we can now to focus on the league and push to where we want to be.
“We’ve addressed it, we’ve moved on, we’ve had a great reaction this week in training.”
Earlier in the week, Pools completed the loan signing of winger Ashley Nathaniel-George from York City. On the move, a “delighted” Pools boss added:
“I actually spoke to him [Nathaniel-George] about a month ago, and both parties were keen to make it happen.
“For us to get it done now, I think it’s come at a great time when the squad is slightly weakened at the minute with injuries.”
Pools also extended the loan of youngster Pharrell Brown from Hull City, with Featherstone “buzzing” at the deal.
“The addition of Ash [Nathaniel-George] and the renewal of Pharrell make us a stronger squad.
“He did brilliantly against Wealdstone, Eastleigh away, and then Truro City at home.
“That’s what he can do, and that’s what I expect more from him now – he’s still learning the game.
“It’s his first taste of men’s football. He’ll get better for the experience; it was important that we kept him for another month at the very least.”
Featherstone also provided key injury updates ahead of a busy Christmas schedule, saying Jack Hunter and Luke Charman are “pushing for Sunday.”
He added, “Both had a good week’s training. They are very, very close to being back involved.
“Within two or three games, the squad will be looking pretty healthy and strong – we are not too far away with the four or five lads that are injured.
“[I’m] quite excited to have a few people back – it may give me a headache in terms of team selection and squad selection, but what a good option to have.”
