MANAGER Danny Wilson is a disciple of footballing legend Pele's 'beautiful game' philosophy - but do Hartlepool United play like Brazil?

Pools are on a run of 18 games unbeaten, 16 of them wins, and there has certainly been a change in the club's philosophy both on and off the pitch since Increased Oil Recovery Ltd assumed control of the club in 1997.

Gone are the days when Pools were just a week away from receivership. And gone are the days when the club accepted any old journeyman with his best playing days behind him.

Since IOR gained control of Hartlepool and installed Chris Turner as manager there has been the odd hiccup but, overall, the club has flourished.

Turner, back at Victoria Park as Director of Sport, took over when Pools were bottom of the Football League and in danger of slipping in to the Conference.

He saved them from relegation and turned them into promotion contenders, while serving supporters a diet of panache and flair, rather than the up-and-under style usually associated with sides in the football basement.

This characteristic was continued briefly under Turner's successor Mike Newell, Neale Cooper and under the temporary reign of youth-team coach Paul Stephenson last term before Wilson arrived.

When Wilson was in charge at Barnsley, his emphasis on playing the beautiful game brought ironic chants from the terraces. Supporters sang 'it's just like watching Brazil', despite the fact the club were losing most weeks and struggling in their only ever season in the Premiership.

The former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder has continued this philosophy at Victoria Park and is currently reaping the benefits as the club remain unbeaten in nearly four months.

But is watching Hartlepool like watching Brazil?

"Well, I've always wanted to play good football, pass the ball and entertain the crowd," said the 47-year-old Hartlepool manager, who was amused at the thought.

"At Barnsley, the fans appreciated that, hence that saying. I've certainly not changed my style or my philosophy.

"I've never really thought about it - maybe it's like watching Brazil too. Is that the right answer?"

The only question Pools supporters really want the answer to is will the club secure promotion this term? If Wilson's charges maintain their recent form, that answer will be yes.

Yet at the beginning of the campaign it looked as if Pools' promotion hopes would disappear before November.

"This season didn't start brilliantly and at one time I think we were as low as 16th," said Wilson, who this week was named League Two's manager of the month for February after five consecutive victories.

"But I always had that belief in this squad.

"There was a turning point and it came at half-time at Accrington."

Pools were 1-0 down at half-time, but went on to win 2-1. It was their first win in five League Two outings.

Wilson added: "We were abysmal in the first half, absolutely abysmal, and our fans let us know it - quite right too.

"I left the players under no illusions what the consequences would be if they didn't improve, and fast.

"A few harsh works were spoken during the interval. I told them that a few careers were on the line unless there was improvement.

"Perhaps that was when it really hit home with everyone. We'd reached the point of no return. I knew I had good players here but results and, in the case of that first-half, performances were telling me otherwise.

"Thankfully, the penny dropped and since then, we've gone from strength to strength.

"But it's no more than what these players are capable of. As I've said previously, a lot of these lads were leading in the play-off final against Sheffield Wednesday just 20 months ago. They hadn't become bad players since then."

Watford have allowed defender Clarke Carlisle to join Luton on a month-long loan.

Carlisle has yet to play a first-team game this season due to persistent thigh problems but is likely to play a part for the Coca-Cola Championship strugglers against Wolves at Kenilworth Road today.

The 27-year-old joined Watford from Leeds during the summer of 2005 and played a pivotal role in helping the Hornets to promotion last term.

Now Vicarage Road boss Adrian Boothroyd has opted to give the former Blackpool and QPR man a chance to develop match fitness with Mike Newell's team.

An American consortium have invested £5m in Coca-Cola League One club Millwall.

Chestnut Hill Ventures, led by John G Berylson, has interests in business and financial services, retail, property and sport.

Berylson will become non-executive chairman of Millwall Holdings and a director of the club. His colleague Demos Kouvaris will also join both boards.

Heather Rabbatts will revert to the position of executive deputy chairman. She said: ''This is tremendous news for Millwall and our supporters. It enables us to plan for future success both on and off the field.'