ANDY Monkhouse hasn’t had a bad week. Tuesday’s win at Sheffield United was his 300th Hartlepool United appearance; and on his 299th he netted a goal as good as any he has scored.
After a stint up front, Monkhouse has been back on more familiar territory on the left wing, where he has impressed.
There’s every chance Pools will stick with the 4-5-1 formation at Exeter today.
“It was nice to get to 300 games the other night, I don’t think I could see that coming when I first came here on loan,’’ he admitted. “I was told and now I’m trying to see how many more I need to get into the top ten.
“Hopefully I can get more games and I’ve enjoyed every one of them. I’ve played left, right, up front, but I’ve said numerous times that I will play where the manager wants me to play.
“I think as you get older then you find a bit more consistency to your game and I’d like to think that’s the case.
“We scored four times last week, four good goals as well. At the start of the season we were getting stick for not scoring, then we got five against Bradford and since then have done it and had a lot of chances for it as well.’’
Monkhouse signed for Pools in 2006, initially on loan from Swindon. But he was part of the relegation season last time out and admits the effects of last season are now put to bed.
“Things are looking positive now and as much as you don’t want to think about a hangover at the club from last season, maybe it can happen,’’ he reflected.
“I think it helped with the gaffer and Higgy coming in and giving us a fresh look. A lot of people still here have a point to prove, especially me, and hopefully we can go some way to proving people wrong.
“We will take the pats on the back when they come, but we won’t be happy until we are consistently winning games.’’
Monkhouse, 32, added: “It’s been a really good week and hopefully it can carry on. I was pleased with my goal, but the overall performance was first-class and it was so important to go to Sheffield and not let that win to be forgotten.
“Tuesday was a big one for us, we didn’t want to play well on Saturday and then let ourselves down.
“It wasn’t as fluid as Saturday, but it was a positive result and performance. The lads have come back in on Thursday buzzing from the results.
“Exeter have stated well, but we need not fear anyone.’’