NEALE Cooper is only in the early stages of his new career - and already he is in the same boat as his predecessors.

Hartlepool United boss Cooper is confronted with the same question presented to Chris Turner and Mike Newell; how to get the best out of Adam Boyd.

The Hartlepool-born 21-year-old has the ability to excite and frustrate in equal measures.

He is likely to be on the bench tonight as Pool meet Grimsby at Victoria Park after forging his way back into the first team picture in the last fortnight.

But Cooper knows Boyd is more than capable of holding down a regular spot in the first-team; something he has yet to manage .

Since making his debut against Barnet in November 1999, Boyd has since only made 24 league starts, appearing as a substitute 38 times.

Boyd, a former Manor School pupil, came through the youth ranks, a time when he attracted plenty of attention from big clubs.

He netted three times in as many games last season when he was given a run in the team in September, and later netted twice in four games as Pool homed in on promotion.

Cooper knows he has the ability to trouble second division defences and admitted: "He played really well for the reserves against Newcastle the other week and his ability is not a problem - he's got to do it consistently and that's what he hasn't done yet.

"He has the ability, but he has to have the mental attitude to go with it.

"We keep working on him, he's got great ability. Last week against Oldham he lost the ball a few times and then he goes and does something really special with it.

"He can up the game and give you something different out there. There's certainly something to work on.''

He added: "We need to work out how to get the best out of him. I know I'm not the first person to try, I've been told that by other managers.

"But he has responded well over the last few weeks and getting back in the picture is a little reward."

Cooper bemoaned the lack of quality delivery into the penalty area in last week's goalless draw with Oldham and could revert to a 4-4-2 line-up, with Ritchie Humphreys and Darrell Clarke in tandem on the wings. Andrew Jordan is fit after a neck injury and could start at left-back.

Grimsby boss Paul Groves is hoping to make a new signing before today's noon deadline, with a striker his priority.

* Pool's game with Sheffield Wednesday on Friday, October 10 has been made all-ticket.

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