HE’S been at Hartlepool United as a player, coach, manager, director of football and now he’s also caretaker boss and king maker.

Craig Hignett has had some influence over Pools in recent years.

His playing days were at an end when he made two appearances in 2008 under Danny Wilson. A decade later he is seeking the club’s 11th permanent manager since Wilson was sacked a decade ago next week.

Stability is not something you would associate with Pools; but it’s a trait both Hignett and chairman Raj Singh are seeking.

Hignett will lead Pools at Maidenhead today, as they seek an end to a horrific run of seven successive defeats in the National League.

“I know whoever comes in here is coming into a really good club, not a basket case,’’ he mused. “We are sitting mid-table. It’s a really good job and a good project, we are a stable club, no longer a mess behind the scenes.

“We knew it wasn’t gong to happen overnight, we aren’t daft and people need to rein in a little bit and think where we are. We aren’t happy and feel we should be higher than we are, but we will come through the other side.

“I keep saying this is the worst we will ever be – there’s more to come, better players, more money. We are going in the right direction, but people say we were fourth in the table. It’s not as simple as that.’’

He added: “It’s what going on behind the scenes and infrastructure in there. When a manager comes in he has to fit in what we want to do. Turning over managers, players and staff gets you nowhere. We need a plan and we have one.

Hignett suffered disappointment last weekend and held his hands up over the late substitution he made, replacing wing-back Mark Kitching with midfielder Connor Newton before both Dagenham goals in injury time came down the left side.

He understands the frustration around the club, the ire and anger of supporters, but feels sometimes it goes too far.

“Football can let you down a bit and you feel disillusioned by it. Getting stick on a Saturday, you think you don’t need it – getting stick from people who can write their football knowledge down on the back of a postage stamp.

“Making a substitution for example last week, I have to take that on the chin. I was told I put him left back, when I had him left midfield.

“A chap came over at half-time and he was lovely – told me how happy he was how we played and how 4-4-2 was the way to go… we were playing 3-4-1-2….

“But what can you say, the fella was lovely and so complimentary. Then you get the others who forget what has gone on and turn. I don’t care, but some of the abuse out there is personal and it’s wrong.’’

And he hopes the harsh critics don’t affect some of his squad’s promising talents.

He added: “Younger players don’t want that – they need encouragement. We all want the club to go one way forward and we all have different ideas how to get there and what do to.

“The vast majority of supporters are brilliant, but unfortunately the ones with the vile comments are the ones with the big mouths and we have to do something about it. What? I don’t know, but we have to find a way right now of managing it.

“Even by winning games, we could win 1-0 and people want two or three.’’

Pools are mid-table in the division and have an FA Trophy trip to Leamington next weekend, by which time a new boss should be in place.

Matthew Bates side only lost two of their first 16 games, before falling into their current rut.

The division is strong in many ways, full of powerful and burly individuals, while scattered with clubs who possess a budget beyond this standard.

And Hignett has called for a bit of a reality check right now from everyone involved: “This league has changed: Salford, Ebbsfleet, Fylde and people ask why aren’t Hartlepool beating them? Well they have budgets nearly twice as much as us and they aren’t a pub team.

“We are where we are and will improve and people have to get their heads around it.

“If you don’t get your head around where you are in this league, then you will be there forever. So what if you aren’t getting chicken or a big meal at a plush hotel the night before a game – other teams don’t do that, travel on the day and still beat us. Players and fans have to realise that.

“We all want success, we all know where we want to go. Play-offs at least, top ten at the very least. Our goal was play-offs, if not top ten. We are short on numbers, we can do something about that but we need the right ones in. Not just this season, but next and the one after – that’s the only way to change.’’