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As always, I'd love to hear from fellow Pools fans. What did you make of the Tamworth game, and were Pools wrong to make eight changes? Can Lennie Lawrence and his side use their premature exit to their advantage as they aim to break into the play-off places? What are you expecting from the festive period, and where and how will you be following Pools? You can email me on robert.stelling@jpress.co.uk or send me a message on X @StellingRobbie. |
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Pools maintain their miserable record in the FA Trophy
Like all Pools fans, I was of course disappointed to see Lennie Lawrence's side fall at their first hurdle and exit the FA Trophy in the third round following a penalty shootout defeat to cup specialists Tamworth. That said, I'd be lying if there wasn't a part of me that was relieved to have avoided a long trip to South London in the new year to take on Sutton. Based on their miserable penalties, perhaps some of the players had the same idea.
As expected, Pools made a host of changes - eight in total - as Lennie Lawrence gave a number of players on the fringes of his squad a chance to impress. Kazenga LuaLua, who was celebrating his 34th birthday, and Matthew Bondswell made their first starts while Dan Dodds returned from suspension and the likes of Adam Smith, Billy Sass-Davies, Roshaun Mathurin, Anthony Mancini and Gary Madine all got some much-needed minutes under their belts. It was also great to see 17-year-old Kian Foreman make his senior debut as a late substitute. Joe Grey, Louis Stephenson, Alfie Steel, Campbell Darcy, Max Storey and Joe Aungiers have all come through the academy in recent years and it's important Pools continue to promote youth following the departure of the influential Ian McGuckin.
Tamworth, who had already beaten Huddersfield and Burton Albion to set up a landmark third round clash with Premier League giants Tottenham, surprised Pools by only making three changes to their side. Experienced goalkeeper Jas Singh, captain Ben Milnes, long throw specialist Tom Tonks and top-scorer Dan Creaney all played the full 90 minutes as the Lambs booked their place in the next round.
In terms of the game, I felt Pools just about shaded things. In the main, the hosts dealt with Tonks' trademark long throws well and had chances through the likes of Mancini, who struck the post in the 21st minute, and Mathurin. If there was one positive - other than the fact that I can catch up on some beauty sleep rather than trudge down to Sutton on January 4 - from the evening, I felt it was the performance of Mancini. I was surprised to see the Frenchman start on the right rather than in his favoured central role but he ran Lambs full-back Luke Fairlamb ragged and did his case for more regular inclusion no harm whatsoever. Gary Madine's second goal in two games looked like being enough to send Pools through until Chris Wreh, inevitably, equalised for the visitors in the last minute. It wouldn't be unfair to say that the American-born frontman never looked like scoring during a barren spell at Victoria Park but became the fourth former Pools striker to find the net against his old club this season, alongside Rakish Bingham, Josh Umerah and Devante Rodney. The less said about the Pools penalties, the better. |
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Lennie Lawrence and Nicky Featherstone prepare to celebrate milestones as Pools turn their attention back to the National League
If there is one difference I have noticed since Lennie Lawrence replaced Darren Sarll, it's the change in the atmosphere at Pools. I was at Maiden Castle on Thursday for the pre-Southend press conference and players and staff were laughing, smiling and joking. Just like in any line of work, footballers are likely to perform better when they're enjoying themselves. Lawrence often talks about the importance of creating a positive culture and, for me, I think that's been his biggest achievement so far. I've gone on record to say I got on well with Sarll, but I also don't mind admitting I wouldn't have wanted to get on the wrong side of the outspoken former boss. Since Lawrence has taken charge, it feels like a weight has been lifted off some of the players. I spent a couple of hours in Durham on Thursday, catching up with the veteran boss about his plans for the trip to Southend as well as his upcoming birthday, speaking to Nicky Featherstone about his milestone 600th appearance, chatting to Anthony Limbrick about Pools and his favourite Australian cricketers and even trying to persuade Mani Dieseruvwe to sign a new contract. I tried, I really did.
The legendary Lennie Lawrence celebrates his 77th birthday on Saturday. We asked him what motivates him to keep managing at his age and his answer was simple - a love of the game, as well as the fact he doesn't much care for playing golf or lying on the beach. He told me his long career has been underpinned by fostering a mutual respect between himself and his players and adapting as football has developed. A lot has changed since he took caretaker charge of Plymouth in 1978, but Lawrence has managed to move with the times. I must admit I was somewhat skeptical when he was appointed permanent Pools boss in November but I think he's done a brilliant job so far. Pools have lost just one of their eight National League games under him and have moved to within two points of the play-off places. Lawrence and his side will still have to come through a testing festive period, but things are looking up at long last.
Metronomic midfielder Nicky Featherstone is set to make his 600th career appearance on Saturday. Well over 400 of those have been for Pools, and he was an integral part of the side that won promotion from the National League in 2021. Featherstone's time at Victoria Park has coincided with one of the most turbulent decades in the club's history - the Pools stalwart has been written off, released and relegated but has remained one of his side's most reliable and consistent performers throughout his 11 seasons in the North East. I've spent the majority of my adult life watching Featherstone in a Pools shirt, while my dad is the number one member of his fan club. I spent Thursday trying to persuade him not to retire on behalf of my father, who would like to see him continue well into his 40s. Having turned 36 in September, he admitted he'll consider his future towards the end of the campaign. If this is to be his last season, then wouldn't it be special if he could help get Pools back to where they belong.
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Pools gearing up for tough trip to Essex
Nothing screams birthday celebrations quite like spending hours on a bus to Southend-on-Sea. For most 77-year-olds, a trip to the Essex coast would be as part of a seniors sightseeing holiday; for Lennie Lawrence, the beautiful game, as it has been for all his adult life, will be the focus of his weekend. He admitted that a positive result would be the perfect present, but it won't be easy for Pools. Southend might be languishing in the bottom half but the Shrimpers have one of the league's biggest fanbases and have just signed Woking striker Charley Kendall to bolster their attacking options. I think a point would be a decent result, although Lawrence has vowed to try and take the game to Southend. |
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Lawrence admits he has "several decisions to make" ahead of trip to Southend |
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Lennie Lawrence and his side bid to make it five National League games unbeaten
Pools have been in fine form of late, but the National League is so close and competitive that a couple of bad results could leave them languishing in lower mid-table once more. That said, if Pools can come through a challenging festive period still within striking distance of the top seven, then the fixtures, on paper at least, become far more favourable in January.
Let's hope his birthday isn't the only thing Lennie Lawrence will be celebrating on Saturday.
Come on Pools!
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