Forest Green Rovers' next opponents, Hartlepool United, have appointed Pete Wild as their new head coach amid a dismal run of form. Wild replaces Lee Clark and takes charge of a side sitting 22nd in the National League, three points from safety, ahead of their visit to The New Lawn on Saturday, 10 October. The 39-year-old has signed a contract until the end of the 2024-25 season.
Hartlepool's poor start under Wild
Wild watched from the is his new team lost 1-0 at home to Tamworth last Saturday. That result was Hartlepool's ninth defeat in 12 league games this season and extended their current losing streak to six matches. They have scored just eight goals, the second-lowest tally in the division. Any early-season optimism following a busy summer of recruitment has evaporated completely. The club's hierarchy moved to appoint Wild after deciding a change was necessary to try and halt the slide.
Wild's message of patience
The new boss is clear that an instant turnaround is not on the cards. "We're not going to click our fingers or wave a magic wand and something is going to change," Wild said. He expressed confidence that things will improve, but stressed it will be a process. "But in the next six to eight weeks, it will change and we will get it right," he added. Wild stated that the immediate focus is on making the team harder to beat and building from a solid foundation, acknowledging the need to stop conceding cheap goals.
Wild, whose last job was keeping Tranmere Rovers in League Two last season, drew on his past experience. He said he has walked into difficult situations at every club he has managed and come out the other side, but insisted that promising an immediate fix would be dishonest. He pointed to his work at FC Halifax Town and Barrow as evidence of being able to build projects over time. Wild also confirmed that assistant manager Mark Lillis will remain part of the backroom staff.
Context for Forest Green's upcoming fixture
Forest Green, currently 16th with 15 points from 11 games, will be looking to capitalise on Hartlepool's fragile state. Rovers' recent form reads one win, three draws and one loss from their last five outings. The visitors arrive desperate for points, having scored only eight times all season. Forest Green's squad will be aiming to extend Hartlepool's misery and climb the standings. The match kicks off at home on 10 October. Forest Green manager David Horseman will likely view this as a prime opportunity to secure three points against a team low on confidence and in a period of transition under new leadership.
