SAM COLLINS was sat addressing the media on Thursday morning at Maiden Castle, Hartlepool United’s training ground.

He was still angry and disappointed at the manner in which the side were beaten under his caretaker command at Accrington 36 hours earlier.

In preparing for today’s trip to Cambridge, Collins spoke of the need for leaders, gritty players prepared to put their feet – and heads – in where it hurts.

Away from Durham and Pools chairman Ken Hodcroft and chief executive Russ Green were in the process of landing someone with those very characteristics Collins was discussing.

Paul Murray wasn’t coming in to play, but to take over as manager.

As a gritty, hard-working midfielder Murray endeared himself to the Victoria Park crowd in his playing days.

Honesty, endeavour and determination are three traits he will be bringing to the club under his leadership after he was appointed on Thursday afternoon.

Collins said: “Somehow we have to find the best out of the players and as much as we are trying to find it out of them, they have to find it within themselves.

“At the end of the day, we can do everything possible to prepare them, but it is about them getting the better of their man.

“If they do that, then we win. Simple as that.

“If I get the better of my man on a Saturday or a Tuesday, and seven or eight others do the same, then we will win the game.

“It isn’t about tactics or formations, it is about me against you and I am going to get the better of you.

“You have to go in thinking if there is a header, I’m going to win it, if there is a 50-50 tackle I’m winning it, if there is a 60-40 I’m going to put my head in and prepare to get hurt.’’

It would have been music to Murray’s ears.

And Collins continued: “In League Two, this is what teams do. That is what those teams do that are up there near the top week in, week out.

“Whether it is a horrible pitch or somewhere that has a nice pitch.’’

Collins the caretaker manager wasn’t going to select Collins the centre-half while he was in charge.

So with managerial and coaching duties taken care of by Murray and wily right-hand man Willie Donachie this afternoon at Cambridge, Collins can show his character on the pitch.

In the opposition central defence will be Micky Nelson, the former Pools centre-half who signed for the Us earlier this season after a spell in the Scottish Premier League.

Collins and Nelson played together at Victoria Park for a season and a half and Collins has plenty of respect for the Us captian.

“Nelse is the same in terms of commitment and attitude,’’ said Collins.

“There is a breed of player that will do that no questions asked, if that ball is there they are going for it.

“If I can get a team of 11 players willing to do that then I will take that all day long.

“I played with Nelse at Bury, when he was a young kid coming through, and played with him here for a year or so.

“He is a great lad, never moans, gets on with things and works hard. He is aggressive and brave - I would have a few of them of that type.”

One player who failed to impress Collins during his near three-week stint as caretaker was Marlon Harewood.

The striker was left out of each game Collins was in charge for and, there was no way back under his watch. Now it’s up to the striker to prove himself to Murray.

“Marlon needs to show me he deserves to come back into the side,’’ reflected Collins. “I’ve not seen that since I’ve been in charge. I judge people from what I see every day in training.

“I left him out in the first place and told him if I got a reaction he would be back in the team – I’m still waiting for that reaction.’’

“If I don’t see that reaction then things will stay the same.

Before reverting back to his player-coach role – Collins will look after the reserve side, while Brian Honour’s return to the club to assist Collins has come to an end – Collins admitted: “It’s been tough doing this job. It’s tough when you don’t win. Players, manager, coach, fan, whoever then it’s enjoyable. When you lose it’s not. It makes you angry, frustrated and disappointed, but there’s always another game around the corner and that’s Cambridge.

“I’ve watched them three or four times now on DVD. They are a big strong, organised side who play good football. We have to be well organised, resolute, hard to beat and be prepared to put your body on the line.

“I’ve said these last two weeks it’s about the basics, winning your battles – that’s what gets you points, it makes you win games.

“If it’s a striker closing the defenders down, all these things make you a good team. It’s what you have to do.’’