AFTER seeing off Dave Jones as Hartlepool United boss, Jeff Stelling has pinned his faith in the club’s new managerial team.

Stelling stood down at club president on Saturday evening, shortly after his passionate plea on Sky Sports for the club to sack Jones.

His televised rant brought things to head at the club and, with two games to go, Pools are fighting for their Football League status under Matthew Bates and Billy Paynter, assisted by Stuart Parnaby and Ian Gallagher.

And Stelling last night said: “I just hope now, we have two games to achieve mission impossible. Hartlepool have never been relegated from the Football League, we’re second bottom of the table, we are away to Cheltenham and home to Doncaster in the last two games and under the new caretaker management we need six points if we are to stay in the Football League.

“They’ve got my full backing and I’ve got everything crossed that we can do it.

“We have to see a revitalized side, there’s no question about that. The manager carries the can, of course he does, but the players they have to look at themselves as well.

“They have to go out on the field and perform as I know they can.

“I’m very hopeful that we will see a positive attitude certainly at the weekend at Cheltenham.’’

The Northern Echo revealed Pools had sacked Jones on Sunday evening, and a short statement from the club confirmed the news yesterday morning.

Chairman Gary Coxall admitted he was left with little choice in the matter after Saturday’s flat performance.

“A tough decision, which had to be made,’’ he said. “It’s a critical time and I was conscious of Dave not being the fall guy, it’s a collective thing and I’m responsible too.

“It’s up to us, this is ours if we want it. I’ve looked the players in the eye today and we do want it, no question. We will pull through and get together. It’s a challenge, but we have been up to them in the past.

“This is the biggest challenge. There’s been a line in the sand, this is two weeks, two games to save our status. We are in it together, everyone pulling in the same direction for survival.

“We aren’t anywhere near the second worst club in the league. We can equal the infamous Great Escape. The pressure is on the teams above us now. Let’s drag them back into it.

“I don’t want to be known as the chairman who took the club down and it hurts me. Some of the comments are aimed towards me because I am culpable for it. It’s hit me hard.

“These players are up for the challenge, they are relishing it. This is two weeks where we get together as a club, and get through it, we can do it. Two games we are up for and I’ve seen it in them, with the lads in charge to get the best out of them.’’

Jeff Stelling is walking from St James' Park in Exeter to St James' Park in Newcastle in June in aid of prostate cancer. To find out more visit prostatecanceruk.org