Hartlepool directtor of sport Chris Turner spoke to his club's official website, the Northern Echo and the Hartlepool Mail ahad of his side's League One game against Carlisle at Brunton Park tonight, Turner wanting to see more from his squad players :
"We are going to be missing three big players on Tuesday, it gives the opportunity for others who have to come in and do the business. It's up to them to produce but we have players biting to get back in, they need to come in and perform. The fringe players have got to step up to the plate - they need to and we need them to, it works both ways."They've got to come in and show that they can do it. Otherwise, what's the point in them being here. If they don't do it, they'll be a question mark against them and whether they're here for the long haul. They're not here to make the numbers up, they're here to play. It's up to them to take the opportunity when they get it.
"The emphasis will be on those players to come into the team, grab the headlines and keep their places. During the season every team has a few injuries. Those who manage to avoid them tend to do well. But we've got 25 players in the squad and we've got to utilise them.
"Denis (Behan) came back in last week and I think he showed he had regained some confidence, it's sod's law he is out for five or six weeks now. Southampton knew they had been in a game and that's what we want every week. We played so well in the first half, but the second half was always going to be harder because of the conditions."
"I said to the players there was disappointment, but no-one was dejected. Playing like that we will finish in the top half of the season, we have just lost to two good, strong teams from this division We haven't lost to teams who are struggling - I believe both will be in the top seven come May. We lost both games, but showed we can compete against the best.
"Carlisle have had two great results back to back so we'll be expecting a tough game. Our boys have had a good break after two testing games and now we want to utilise the positives from those performances and go and get the three points at Carlisle. We have had a few good battles with them over the years and I'm sure it will be another of those with a cup tie type atmosphere. It's got the bit of a derby feel when these teams come together and it gives you that fire so I'm looking forward to it.
"At this level you are always looking to improve, but there's always something prevents you. We are seeing that at the moment with one or two players, what I have to do is try to make sure those players are picked up and return to their best. When I'm in the stand as director of sport there's less pressure because it's not on me, firing criticism at me, but I'm not just sat there thinking I don't want the team to win.
"I have had the criticism from the fans this season, I wouldn't get that in the stands. It would be someone else. The game has gone that way, one man takes all of the flack. Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger, they take the flack. You have to be able to handle that. Sometimes that is frustrating because people think one man can make a difference. It's not one man, it's the people around that one man, the players, circumstances, you need a man who can handle that.
"We are only normal people but fans think managers are some sort of special breed. You can shout what you want at them, vent your anger and go home. Supporters just think all he has to do is turn up for 3pm, pick a team and go home. There's a hell of a lot through the week."
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