Boss on the 'oblivion game' last time out.
David Artell admits that our last visit to Hartlepool in February 2017 was one of the ‘darkest days of his managerial career’ after a 4-0 defeat against a fellow struggler in League Two. Artell famously used the word ‘oblivion’ in his post-match interview.
The bad defeat left Crewe in the midst of a relegation battle to stay in the EFL but in the end, Crewe managed to stay up and Hartlepool exited the Football League. The Pools are now back though in the EFL after they won the play-offs last season.
Ahead of our Carabao Cup tie this evening, the Alex boss said: “That game was one of our darkest days and we had an extended chat with the players afterwards and the word oblivion was mentioned if we were to be relegated out of the EFL.
“It was a turning point really and from then we have made significant progress on the pitch. The challenge now is to maintain and better that each year. That is the aim this year, can we do better than last year?
“We turned things around after that disappointing result at Hartlepool and in fact went to Portsmouth on the Saturday and won 1-0. They were two very contrasting results and performances. The real highs and lows of football.
He added: “It is important that we match their effort and endeavour. They are newly promoted back to the Football League and will have momentum through that, so we have to show that gap between League Two and League One.”