MIKE Newell admits a touch of advice and assistance from within can go a long way in his first managerial post.

Newell was this week presented with the Nationwide manager of the month award for January on the back of an unbeaten run of seven games.

Pool's last defeat came on Boxing Day and Newell, whose side was watched last week by his former Blackburn teammate Alan Shearer, admits it's good to talk.

"It's important that you take advice and assistance from people you know,'' he admitted. "I'm very fortunate in that a lot of the people I played for and worked under are still in the game.

"It's important that you listen. The best piece of advice I was ever given was listen to everything which is said to you - because you can always dismiss it later on.''

Newell played under Kenny Dalglish while winning the Premiership with Blackburn in 1995 and added: "I've spoken to Kenny since I got the job and I've spoken to a lot of people in the game. But I'm not the type to go naming names - the people who have helped me or will help me don't need me to mention them.''

After collecting the award, he admits he doesn't believe in the so-called curse.

Teams have a habit of losing their next game in the new month after being bestowed with the honour, but last week's win over Torquay came in Februay, and Newell said: "Losing the games after picking up the prize is probably down to the law of averages more than anything else.

"Teams have just been on a good run and might be due to lose a game. All we want to do is carry on the results and performances we have been having all season. We are having a good run - at times we have looked like a really good side, sometimes we have ground out results.

"All I'm doing is taking it game by game. I'm not naive enough to know everything will be rosy every week or month.''

When it comes to averages, Pool have collected 2.1 points per game this season - former boss Chris Turner set his team a target of two points per game at the start of the season.

And if that run of form continues, Pool could be celebrating long before the season ends.

Exeter visit Victoria Park this afternoon, with former Pool loanee James Coppinger in the visiting forward line, where he will be up against his best mate in Pool defender Mark Robinson.

Left-back Robinson was expecting to face his pal last November when Pool travelled to St James' Park, but was left out by then caretaker boss Colin West.

Coppinger has been in and out of the Exeter side of late, but scored two for the reserves in midweek and boss Neil McNab admitted: "He came on last week and did very well and was excellent for the reserves. I told him before the game he was going to start on Saturday and his attitude and finishing, which is what he needs to work on, were excellent."

Midfielder Mark Tinkler, with ten goals to his name this season, is likely to be back in the side after suspension. Teenager Antony Sweeney gave a solid show against Torquay last week in his place and Newell said: "He performed really well for the reserves at Darlington and has performed really well in training. He's been on the fringe of things and when he starts believing in himself, I think we will have a player there."

"He's an unassuming lad and when he gets the arrogance in him, we will have a decent player. He's a decent player now, but there's more to come.

"That will come with feeling part of the set up and being involved on a regular basis. He is getting a chance now because I don't believe that young lads should get a chance when a team is struggling. Give them a chance when the team is doing well.

"He will run all day. He is strong in five-a-side in training and he is an athlete with a good engine."

Leading scorer Eifion Williams is suspended today, with Gordon Watson, Adam Boyd and Kevin Henderson vying for his place.

Boyd is likely to start, with Watson - now building up his fitness after a broken leg - ready for a place on the bench

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