‘We Are Up For The Fight’ – Stevo

Hartlepool United caretaker boss Paul Stephenson spoke to the press after today?s 1-1 home draw with Barnsley and he sounded fairly happy with the result and very happy with Pools overall performance, Stephenson said:-

?You always take a point because it?s very vital you continue to stack up the points, I felt today that we were certainly good enough for a two or three goal lead before they even had their first attack. Even there goal was defendable, easily defendable, we just didn?t press the ball, young Michael (Maidens) didn?t get tight enough and Heckingbottom put a hopeful ball in there and the header was missed but it fell to their lad and he?s finished it. That was the only disappointing thing of the half really.

We were 1-0 up, the set piece has worked, Micky Nelson hit the bar from another set piece and Chris Llewellyn came very close with a header, I felt we were certainly worthy of a one or two goal lead at half time.

I was delighted with the effort of the lads, I think Barnsley are a decent side, they wouldn?t be up there if they weren?t, I think we dominated most of the game and I thought we finished strong as well.

Dimi?s made some great saves today, but that?s what he?s there for. He?s a good keeper, he?s a tall lad with a good stretch on him and he made some good saves today at vital times.?

When asked if Konstantopoulos had picked up a knock during the game Stephenson commented:-

?No he?s just a big soft Greek feta cheese! There?s not any problems there and he should be fine for next week.?

Stephenson went on to talk about the two big chances at the end of the game, he said:-

?They had a chance at the end and Michael Nelson has come in with a monumental tackle, then right at the death it looks like we are going to win it with the cross of Darren Williams that Eifion Williams got in at the back post but he just couldn?t wrap his foot round it.

You cannot fault the effort of the lads, they never gave up and kept going and I was delighted with their performance. We?ve shown over the past few weeks that we are up for the fight, myself and the lads included, that?s all the squad because I?ve used a lot of players, all the lads who have come in have done a great job. We?ve got to try and keep stacking points up and hopefully we?ll get enough to stay in this division.?