Hartlepool’s Bates receives vote of confidence

Hartlepool United boss Matthew Bates can continue to count on the support of the club's Chairman Raj Singh, despite the National League club's worrying run of form.
Pools are without a win in seven games and have fallen to defeats on six of these occasions, This recent run has let to increasing speculation about Bates' future at Victoria Park.
Despite beginning the campaign with a degree of optimism following the acquisition of a number of high profile signings including the likes of Liam Noble, the County Durham club are currently languishing in 12th position.
Nevertheless, Singh is refusing to hit the panic button and insists that he has full faith in Bates' ability to turn around the club's current fortunes.
Speaking to Hartlepool Mail, the Pools owner said, ““There is a trust there,
“I think we have the right people at the club to keep building, pushing in the right direction. At the moment it is important we see how the lads we have brought in settle.
“When the process is over we will see whether we need more players and if we can move others out.
“No one at this club ever said we would finish here, or finish there.
“We never wanted to put that pressure on anyone. We have a young manager here who the fans need to get behind. We have a good squad who need backing, too”
“The manager will makes mistakes, the players will and I will. But at this stage there is absolutely no need to panic. I am confident we have the players to turn things around.”
Bates' side will be looking to reverse their recent run of form when they come up against 6th placed AFC Fylde at Victoria Park this evening.