NICKY FEATHERSTONE, as footballers tend to be, was too diplomatic to admit how bad it was, but hinted of the troubles Hartlepool United suffered under Dave Jones.

Appointed in January, sacked two weeks ago, Jones took a misery 13 points from 51 points, leaving Pools in the bottom two of the Football League, a position from which they never recovered as they were relegated to the National League.

The squad was desperately unhappy under Jones’ regime and the change in their outlook over the last two games has been clear for all to see.

Featherstone admitted, when asked if Jones should have been sacked earlier, admitted: "It's a hard question for me to answer, it's not my job.

"You've seen the reaction we've had from Batesy, Parns, Billy and Buster in charge.

"You've seen how the lads have played for them - it's been a very positive two weeks with them.

"It's hard to say what would have happened.

"The run of four fixtures (Morecambe, Carlisle, Orient and Barnet), we could not have picked any better.

"As players we need to take responsibility, whether we liked the former regime or not, it's still us going out on the pitch with a job to do.

"There was a lot of unhappy people (under Jones). But it's hard for me to say this because I'm not the sort of bloke to slag someone off.’’

He added: "There were a lot of people upset with the last management group.

"You could see the performances under Matthew and his three staff that everyone was playing for them and each other.

"It was in our hands until last week, had we won at Cheltenham that would have brought them back into it, it would have ended up relegating them.’’

And could Bates lead Pools into a National League campaign next season? "It's not for me to make the decisions, but it's been like he's been managing all his life.

"He's taken to the role very well.

"Personally I get along very well with Matthew, he's distanced himself from the lads like a manager should, there is a line there.

"He's got everyone together, made training enjoyable, a fun environment to come into.

"Looking at the last two performances you have to say he's in with a shout.’’

"We have a good group of players there who will give everything under the right management.

"There is no reason why we can't be challenging to get the club back to where it belongs.

He admitted to tears being shed in the dressing room, just like on the terraces and said: "We had a Few tears to be fair, it's hurt a lot of people.

"But it's not been lost in the last two weeks, it's been the amount of points we've dropped from winning positions.

"If we'd only just taken three of them .

"The 20-odd points we've had in winning positions we would not be here."

He added: "I've been here three seasons and it's been a struggle every year, but the fans have always been there, you saw out there the support they gave.

"They travel in numbers. I'm gutted we could not do it for them."