Hartlepool United Football Club

Dave Challinor has admitted he is relishing the prospect of

stepping in to the home dugout for the first time when Pools host Boreham Wood

at Victoria Park on Saturday.

The Pools boss oversaw two long-distance away trips during

his first week in charge but he knows all about the passionate backing his side

can expect when they return to home soil this weekend.

Challinor has insisted that the fans can be one of the major

factors as he looks to drive the team up the National League table and has

called on them to get right behind the players on Saturday.

“It's nice finally to have a home game to look forward to!”he told Pools TV.

“At any level, certainly for a successful team, your home

form is where you want to try and make it pay so hopefully we can get off to a

good start but it's a difficult game.

“I know the fans just want to see the players giving everything

they've got and that's a big part of the spirit that is around the Club and

around the terraces.

“The home support is massive for us. We'll need them behind

us, even more so at the times when the lads might be struggling a bit and, though

I can't guarantee success, I will guarantee that the players will give everything

for the cause and to get a result.”

Pools come in to Saturday's game on the back of a frustrating

encounter at Ebbsfleet United where they had looked on course for victory at

2-0 up only for the home side to stage a late fightback to snatch a point.

With no midweek fixture to contend with in the build-up to

Boreham Wood's visit, Challinor and his staff have been given time to work more

with their players and now he wants to see signs of that on the pitch this

weekend.

“The training and everything we've done this week is for

Saturday. All of our focus has been about 3pm and making sure we put in

performance and hopefully win the game.

“We need to be mentally strong because if we're going to be

a successful team then games like last week are ones that you need to win, you

have to get over the line.

“There is a lot of expectation around this football club and that is something we have to thrive on.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5Z-O01w_30&t=1s