Hartlepool United defender Max Kouogun anticipates the Boxing Day clash against his former Club, Scunthorpe United, in the Enterprise National League at the Prestige Group Stadium.
On the fixture against the Iron, who currently sit in the play-off spots, Kouogun told local press:
“It’s an opportunity for us, like every game is. You go into every game looking to win the game.
“You go in and prepare the exact same way; you have a routine; you go with the same mindset.
“We can definitely see where we are at and give a good account of ourselves.
“Under no stretch of the imagination are we underestimating ourselves at all. We go in with confidence and to win the game.
The player spent two seasons at Scunthorpe, playing a key role in the side’s promotion into the National League from the National League North.
“I’ll just take it in my stride like any other game – go out with the mindset of trying to get three points, and business as usual for me.
“I know a good few of the lads. As soon as you cross that white line, I’m going to try and get the three points” Kouogun said.
Last time out, Pools shared the spoils with Braintree Town in a goalless draw on the road, with the defender adding:
“After being disappointed not to get three points on Sunday, it’s good that we can rectify that in a short space of time.
“I think we’re at the halfway point [of the season] now – so there’s still a long, long way to go.
“If we have a better second half than we did first half, we’ll definitely be happy come the end of April. So yeah, all to play for still.”
The Pools defender also had a message to the fans ahead of the match on Boxing Day, saying:
“[It] is a big day out for the fans and players, [but] I think it’s about remembering that it is another afternoon of football.
“Play your normal game and hopefully that translates into three points.
“We need full support. If we have any setbacks, just keep getting behind the lads because it will definitely be needed, like it is every game.
“We’re on the pitch trying to do the best we can to get the three points for ourselves, for the fans, for the football Club.
“So, if they can be that 12th man every weekend at home, then it’s going to be a massive help.”
