WHILE, for the more experienced members of Hartlepool United’s squad, the last week was an experience they had been through time and time again.
Michael Duckworth is at the opposite end of the football spectrum and, when Colin Cooper left Hartlepool United seven days ago it was the first time he had been part of a change in management.
Cooper signed Duckworth at the start of last season, spotting his potential at Bradford Park Avenue.
The right-back has been Cooper’s most successful recruit, impressing with his energy going forward and his defensive doggedness. 
“It’s been a tough few days for us all, but we are a good bunch of lads who will stick together and we need to keep working hard,’’ he said ahead of today’s game at Exeter. 
“Everyone pulls together in situations like this and the answers will be in our dressing room, no matter what people say. We will stick together and work hard as a unit.’’
So far this season there’s been little response to questions posed of Pools. Bottom of League Two with only eight points, they hope last Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat to Carlisle was the nadir of their season. 
With Cooper gone, Sam Collins is in caretaker charge. The stalwart centre-half enjoyed the chance to lead the club in Tuesday’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy defeat to Sheffield United. 
And Duckworth admitted: “Colin gave me a chance and I owe him a lot. But Sam has a different perspective on things and now it’s up to us to work hard and make sure we stay in the team.
“I’ve been here since last summer and it’s hard work adapting to professional football after playing part-time and training one night a week.
“I’ve had a couple of injuries, but I love training every day and working hard to improve all the time.
“I’ve been surprised in some ways how I’ve adapted to the full-time game. I try and do my best all the time, forward and defensively.
“There was a time when I was at Bradford Park Avenue that I thought my chance might have gone. But, the lads there told me to keep working hard and a breakthrough would come. It worked out for me so let’s wait and see what the future holds.’’
Collins handed first starts on Tuesday to left-back Dan Jones, central midfielder Kieran Green and midfielder Lewis Hawkins. 
There’s every chance all three will keep their places this afternoon at St James’ Park after impressing in midweek. 
Duckworth added: “There was a lot of positives from Tuesday. We tried to freshen the side up and it worked, even if the result didn’t go our way.
“The young lads did well, they gave us some energy and it was good to work with them.
“They have been doing well in training without getting a chance and they delivered the other night.’’
The former York City trainee has missed a month of action already this season because of a hamstring strain.
But the last two performances have been, individually at least, his best of a disappointing campaign.
“I feel like both sides of my game – forward and defensively – have been better of late and I just want to keep improving and getting better,’’ he reflected. 
“It’s been a difficult time for us, different in the camp with Colin resigning. I’ve got to give him credit as he gave me a chance, but now it’s a fresh start.
“Sam picked a young side, which is brave of him, and wanted the lads to go out and express themselves.
“Saturday is important, all we can do is the same as Tuesday. We prepare well and correctly and we go out to be bright and be positive.’’
And, after going close on more occasions than he cares to remember in the last 15 months, Duckworth finally got off the mark in midweek.
With Pools trailing 1-0 to the Blades, Duckworth, in trademark style, got forward and while his shot was deflected in, there was no taking it away from him – as his double somersault celebration indicated.
 “My goal was a long time coming, but it gave us all a boost and we felt we could go on and win the game – it wasn’t to be.
“My eyes lit up, I took a shot and it was deflected, but I’ll take it. Two shots in two games and I’ve been close. 
“I’ve wanted to celebrate for a long time – I’ve been able to somersault for a few years now, probably from having a trampoline in the back garden!’’