No hard feelings over Scott says Clark
Posted on 23rd January 2007
Hartlepool United player Ben Clark says that there are no hard feelings with former manager Martin Scott. The manager parted company with Pools last season however he will return to Hartlepool as Bury’s number two when the two sides take on each other this coming weekend.
Scott is sure to receive a hostile reception. The former manager is seen by many fans as the reason the club was relegated last season. His last game in charge of Hartlepool United was a 3-0 defeat to Blackpool a year ago. That match saw a dramatic dressing room bust-up, which was believed to involve Scott and defender Clark. Despite this Clark says it is water under the bridge.
“It will be a good atmosphere and I am sure that Martin is looking forward to coming back,” Clark said. “It should be a good game and hopefully the fans will get behind the team. You try to put these kind of things to one side but I am sure it will be on the minds of everyone at some point. We don’t want our former manager coming here and winning - we are determined to come out on top. Obviously, Martin has gone on to other things and we wish him all the best. He is doing a good job at Bury and we wish them well, but we don’t want them to enjoy the Vic on Saturday. There are no hard feelings. I have nothing against Martin and I am sure the rest of the boys feel the same. Things happen in football and you have to move on.”
Clark is instead focusing on extending Pools’ unbeaten streak to thirteen games and putting more pressure on the teams in the automatic promotion places. The 1-1 draw at Wrexham at the weekend left them three points off third place in League Two but the gap on leaders Walsall has been cut to just seven points following the Saddlers’ surprise 2-1 defeat at Mansfield. Pools have won their last five home matches on the spin without conceding and will be boosted this weekend by the return from suspension of Michael Nelson.
“Our home form has been pretty solid of late but Bury will come here and we have to show them the same respect we showed to the likes of MK Dons (who Pools beat 1-0 a fortnight ago),” Clark said. “It will be a tough game but we are going out for all three points. We played them not so long ago and beat them 1-0 at their place, so we will be confident we can do the double over them. As a defender, I would take any result to nil. We have only conceded two goals in the last 11 games or so and that is the standard we need to maintain.”
Earlier Hartlepool United news
Wilson hails Barker’s firstNo slip ups warns WilsonWilson dismisses move for former Quakers playerBarron backs Barker to push Pools upwardsSweeney heaps praise on WilsonTable could be better admits WilsonPools win againPools seal deal on MonkhousePools keeper scoops awardPools a Championship club claims BarkerBarker close to signing for PoolsRecord breaking Pools' manager up for awardPools try again for Richie BarkerPools make it seven wins in a rowStrachan set to leave Pools on loan