Hartlepool manager Dave Challinor insists his side are relishing their trip to Brisbane Road tomorrow. Pool travel to the Capital to take on Leyton Orient in front of a sold out stadium looking to make it three wins in a row. The 46 year old stated to hartlepoolunited.co.uk “our focus is Saturday, it’s a really tough game but a really good one to play in. They’ve done football for a fiver, we’ve sold a good amount ourselves and the place will be bouncing”.

Sit 8th on 23 points

League Record – P14 W7 D2 L5 F17 A15

Pool head to the O’s after coming from behind against Harrogate last weekend. Three goals in seven second half minutes turned the game on its head, David Ferguson pulled one back before Mark Cullen equalised and Matty Daly gave them the win. Challinor was delighted with the victory, speaking to hartlepool-united.co.uk “it ends up being a perfect afternoon, I stil stick to the principle of we don;t want to make it a habit. We got the three points and it was a briliant reaction to what we had spoken about at half time”.

An inspired half time substitution from Challinor bringing on the returning Gary Liddle and changing to a 5-3-2 system changed the momentum in favour of Pool. Liddle who had missed the previous five to games with an achilles injury gave Pool a solid base and the veteran defender was delighted to be back on the pitch. Speaking to hartlepoolunited.co.uk “it’s been a frustrating period, we are managing the problem now and I was happy to play my part in a good win. When something happens like that especially at the Vic; it’s a pretty special occassion”.

Won two of their last three games conceding the first goal

Following a short turn round after their promotion from the National League in the summer, Hartlepool have adapted well to life in League Two sitting in eighth position. Challinor highlights his side will take a lot from recent wins over Bradford and Harrogate heading into a tough run of fixtures. Speaking to hartlepoolunited.co.uk “we have to take a lot from it, it’s only three points in the table but it makes it really tight and keeps us in a good area of the table. It doesn’t get much easier next month and Saturday is a really tough game. Within November we play teams around us in the table, they bring challenges and opportunities but our focus is on Saturday”.

Saturday is Challinor’s first meeting against the O’s since winning the FA Trophy for AFC Fylde back in 2018. The 46 year old faced the O’s in both seasons Orient were in the National League and has tasted victory at Brisbane Road before. Speaking to hartlepoolunited.co.uk “having played their previously, it’s the type of ground where the atmosphere is really good. It’s a really good one to play in for the players, it’s a good challenge and another group of questions that need answers. I’m confident we have the answers and am hopeful we can show it on Saturday”.

Away Record – P7 W1 D1 L5 F5 A10

One win all season on the road – last time out vs Bradford 3-1

After sitting on the sidelines for just over a month, Liddle is raring to go and highlights that his side have stepped up well in League Two despite losing several key members of their promotion winning squad. Speaking to hartlepoolunited.co.uk “I think a lot of people were probably a bit sceptical of how we’ll do. I know it’s pretty similar to the National League, in terms of anyone can beat anyone, we’ve proven it ourselves beating Harrogate and Bradford but losing to Stevenage. If we can find consistency then we will do well”.

Kept four league clean sheets – no clean sheet in last seven

Conceded two or more in four of their last six games

Challinor has followed the journey of the O’s after playing them quickly after their change of owners back in 2017. The 46 year old is keen to highlight that Orient will have high aspirations for this season and is expecting a tough test on Saturday. Speaking to hartlepoolunited.co.uk “they have a really experienced manager who has had good success. They have started well and will be one of the teams that expect to be up there. We know what it is going to be about; a team that can do both sides. Bug physical side and play direct into a target center forward but they have good footballers too”.

Failed to score in five league games

Scored in four of their last five league games

Only scored in one of their last six away games

Team News

Neil Byrne is out through suspension after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season against Harrogate. Defender Jamie Sterry is Pool’s only doubt after coming off on Saturday in the first half.

Head to Head – Hartlepool 21, Draw 11, Leyton Orient 20