Max Kouogun assessed a “disappointing” result against Morecambe on Tuesday night but highlighted the continued positivity within the group at Hartlepool United, ahead of Saturday’s trip to Halifax.
Speaking to the local press, the central defender said:
“There is still a lot of football to be played.
“We’ll remain positive and continue to accumulate as many points as possible, maintaining a good spirit within the group.”
After recently returning from injury, the player expressed he is “delighted to be back fit and playing.”
Kouogun added:
“(I’m) giving my all for the football Club to get points on the board. It’s a very pleasant feeling to play out there.”
On reflection of the 1-1 draw at home to the Shrimps, Kouogun said:
“Tuesday night was obviously disappointing. Not only were we at home but playing against a team that are below us in the division.
“Although they posed different threats, I think it is a game we feel we could have won going into.
“We just hope we can continue to improve at the top of the pitch. Not just leaving it up to the strikers or forward players, as a defender, there’s no reason why I can’t go and score from a corner or set piece.
It’s going to have to be a team effort to continue to be solid defensively and improve offensively.”
Morecambe equalised on Tuesday with Admiral Muskwe converting from the spot early in the second period. Kouogun told local press he was “baffled” by the referee’s decision:
“Referees are human beings, but it’s just frustrating when things like that cost you three points.
“(During the season,) I don’t think we have been too hard done by with too many decisions.
“If you can rectify what you do first, the rest usually follows.”
Looking ahead to the trip to The Shay Stadium on Saturday, the Pools defender said:
“We will go there with the attitude to win the football match. I don’t think there’s any point of starting the game and thinking you’re going for a draw or anything but a win.
“We’re going to go out there with a positive mindset, confident as we should be.”
The Halifax match signals the fourth Enterprise National League game in charge for interim head coach Nicky Featherstone and first team coach Elliot Dickman, in a period which has seen the side claim one win and two draws.
