Former Hartlepool United boss Nicky Featherstone responds to criticism of his side's style of play

Although the 37-year-old, who won 14, drew eight and lost 12 of his 34 matches in charge, boasts one of the best records in terms of win percentage of any 21st century Pools boss, he was widely criticised for a perceived lack of tactical imagination and willingness to take risks.

One of the biggest frustrations around Featherstone's tenure was a lack of consistency. On the one hand, Pools produced blistering performances to beat the likes of eventual promotion-winners Rochdale and rivals Carlisle but there were plenty of times when Featherstone's side looked pedestrian and lacking purpose.

Pools struggled for goals under Featherstone and fans were often frustrated by his reluctance to play with two strikers, with Alex Reid often cutting an extremely isolated figure up front on his own. Indeed, Pools managed an underwhelming 43 goals from Featherstone's 34 games at the helm while they failed to score on 12 separate occasions, shipping seven on a humiliating night at Wealdstone, four against Woking and three against the likes of Aldershot and Boreham Wood.