Hartlepool United Football Club

Ben Killip has opened up on a tricky start to his Pools

career and revealed the reassuring words from Goalkeeper Coach Ross Turnbull

which helped him turn the corner.

The 23-year-old has been in brilliant form between the posts

as Pools have built a five-game unbeaten run and was particularly impressive

during last Tuesday's victory at Barrow.

After admitting to a rough introduction to life at The Vic,

the summer signing from Braintree Town feels like things have settled down and

he can now show fans his true colours.

“It was a hard start,” Killip told Pools TV.

“The team wasn't doing well and personally I wasn't doingwell, and it got tough at times because I was getting a lot of criticism.

“As hard as it is and as strong as you are mentally, it's

always going to affect you – especially when it got to the point where it

coming from some of the home fans as well.

“I am not naïve, I hear stuff and people tell you things soyou know what's going on.

“I think I got to the point where I was trying to chase a

performance and trying too hard to play well – and perhaps that was my biggest

problem at the start.

“Ross (Turnbull) was fantastic though and he took all the

pressure off me. He just told me that I was an excellent goalkeeper, that's why

I am here and to go out there and show it.

“I would like to think that over the past five games I haveshown that I am good enough and I want to continue like that now.”

Killip and his teammates were frustrated not to make it four

wins on the spin on Saturday evening as Woking hit back late to rescue a point

in the televised game at The Vic.

However, the England C star refused to be downbeat and

preferred to focus on the upside as Craig Hignett's men within a couple of

points of the play-off places in the National League.

“I feel like we controlled the game.

“We had a lot of chances and on another day we could have

scored four or five, but it was difficult and, with the momentum they've got,

they were always going to be a threat.

“It was tough to take but I feel like it's not a bad point given how well they're doing in the league and we're five unbeaten now so we have to take the positives.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ra0eu3Ghq5U