Secret of Hartlepool United's success is all in the training
Jan 1 2011 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal
THE secret to Hartlepool United's recent success can be found on the Maiden Castle training pitches, according to midfielder Leon McSweeney.
The League One side entertain Oldham Athletic today looking for their fifth consecutive victory – the Teessiders’ best run since returning to the third tier three-and-a-half years ago.
The 27-year-old believes the unity among the squad is the main reason for their improved form.
“We’ve got a great team spirit and we’re a lot harder to beat this season,” said McSweeney. Mick (Wadsworth, the manager) demands nothing less than 100% and anything other than that won’t be tolerated in training and in games.”
McSweeney started his career at Leicester City, where he was taken under the wing of Paul Dickov. The striker has since moved to the dugout, taking over as Oldham’s manager.
“I was with Paul at Leicester and spent a lot of time with him on the training pitch,” said the Irishman.
“He was a model professional and would always be willing to pass on his advice and experience.
“He took me under his wing really and it was brilliant for me to have that tutorship. Oldham have done fantastic things this year and I’m not surprised Paul has taken to management.
“They’ll be set up well and it’ll be a tough game for us.”
While the weather has frustrated Hartlepool recently, they have had it better than most in the division. The Latics did not play at all in December, allowing Hartlepool to draw level on points with them in the chase for a play-off position.
“Oldham have not played in a while and we’ve got to try and take advantage of that by getting at them from the start,” argued McSweeney. Andy Rafferty has returned to training after a hand problem as Hartlepool’s goalkeeping situation begins to improve.
Teenager Jake Kean has extended his loan by a month despite an injury to his parent club Blackburn’s first-choice shot-stopper Paul Robinson.
Pool first-choice Scott Flinders returned to training this week after a hand problem of his own.
Winger Andy Monkhouse is suspended after picking up his fifth booking of the season against the Terriers.
Billy Greulich is still sidelined with an ankle problem but defender Peter Hartley is fit again after a dead leg.
