GARY Liddle has had his fair share of verbals from team-mate Willie Boland of late - but he doesn't mind one bit.

The pair formed an impressive central midfield partnership against Darlington at Victoria Park last Saturday, as two of Hartlepool United's newer recruits lined up together in the engine room.

Liddle arrived from Middlesbrough in August, Boland signed for Pools after his release from Cardiff City last summer.

The pair are at opposite ends of the football spectrum, Liddle, 20, has made just 15 starts in professional football. Bolland, 31, has chalked up around 300 career outings for Coventry, Cardiff and Pools.

And Liddle, who will be part of the side up against Barnet at Victoria Park this afternoon, doesn't mind taking advice from his middle of the park mentor one bit.

"Willie is an experienced player, he has played hundreds of games at Cardiff,'' he said.

"I enjoy playing alongside him, I think we compliment each other.

"If I go forward he will sit and vice versa. We know each other's game inside out and I feel as though we have grown as a partnership.

"He is a good player to have in the team. He keeps you right during the game. He talks before the game, at half-time and all through the game.

"He tells you what is the right thing to do in certain situations and he did that last Saturday against Darlington.''

Middlesbrough-born Liddle, part of Boro's successful Academy, added: "It does help you as a young player because he keeps you right.

"Willie is not quiet at telling you when it isn't, he is not shy at giving you a barracking!

"I have been on the end of a view myself but I am not the only one.

"But that is what you need, he keeps everybody right and on their toes. He is a good professional and he has great energy.

"I think a lot of people, me included, though that he would just be a holding midfielder.

"But there is much more to his game. The gaffer must have known what he can bring to the team and it has paid dividends.''

Pools' boss Danny Wilson added another new face to his squad this week, when Darryl Duffy moved on a two-month loan from Hull.

He is in line for a debut this afternoon, as Pools hope they have found a poacher to start converting their chances and get their promotion push back on course.

"It is not like we have been playing badly but it is just that we have not had that luck in front of goal - but it will come,'' insisted Liddle.

"On Saturday we have Barnet at home and we need to win.

"We need to get a few points on the board now and climb the league to be where we know we should be. Barnet are next up and we will be going for the three points.''

Last week's derby was another game in which Pools were left to reflect on what might have been, as they couldn't turn chances into goals.

Liddle looked set to win it at the death, only for Neil Wainwright to keep his thumping eight-yard volley off the goalline.

"We were disappointed in the dressing room afterwards because it was a game we deserved to win,'' admitted Liddle. "We just didn't have that bit of luck.

"I had a chance at the end I don't know how it stayed out. It came off about eight different players but it was that bit of luck that we didn't have and hopefully that will chance in the coming weeks.

"I caught it really well and it was the defender was fortunate to be in the right place and somehow it spun wide.

"Their keeper had a great game and he made a brilliant save from Nelse and he had another few as well.

"We have to believe the goals will come. It is not as if we are not creating chances is it?''

Pools' failings in front of goalhave seen Duffy arrive on loan this week.

Joel Porter is an injury doubt after hobbling off in the JPT defeat to Doncaster on Tuesday.