Pete Wild insists Hartlepool United 'can't come off the gas' despite recent improvements

Although Pools have lost three of their first five National League games since Wild replaced Lee Clark at the beginning of October, there have been plenty of encouraging signs under the former Oldham Athletic, Halifax Town, Barrow, Fleetwood Town and Tranmere Rovers boss.

Having been beaten 1-0 at home by Tamworth in his first game in charge, Wild oversaw a much-needed win over managerless Forest Green Rovers last month, a result which ended a run of seven successive defeats.

The 42-year-old was scathing in his criticism of his side after they were knocked out of the FA Cup in ignominious fashion by National League North outfit Marine, suggesting the club were in need of "a complete refurb" and telling The Monkey's Uncle that the size of the task ahead of him at Victoria Park was "double the challenge I initially thought it was".