The gaffer reacts to a fine away day...
Boro got back to winning ways as two goals from Ben Kennedy and a debut goal for Dave Martin was enough to seal the points as Hartlepool were beaten 3-1.
GW named something of a make-shift XI as injuries meant that a whole host of regular starters were kept out of the side, but those out on the pitch stepped up just as asked a few days prior.
“It was a banana skin for us really. When you go to a side that’s bottom of the league and fighting for its life and that’s had a decent run of results, the last thing you really need is the amount of injuries, amount of change and amount of out-of-position players that we had today but credit to the players, I thought they were terrific.
“It wasn’t easy but credit to them because they were fantastic, their work ethic and willingness to stick to game plan was exceptional.”
News of Dave Martin’s signing broke just before kick-off and GW was full of praise for the debutant.
“He had a very good afternoon. I remember playing Millwall away in pre-season a few years ago and going away afterwards wishing I had a Dave Martin. His pace, his quality of left foot and all round ability was exceptional and his name stuck with me. When I heard he was available and willing to come in and show what us he can do, that in itself is a credit to him because there’s not too many players with his background and his experience who would want to come in and put themselves on offer like he has but a terrific display from him, I thought he was exceptional.”
The biggest news of the day though was Ben Kennedy’s brace, coming on just his second start for the senior team.
“I said to him today: I want you playing up top, I want you playing with Beardo. They played together in a training ground game and he got himself a hat-trick a couple of weeks ago and those two away from home, when you’re putting the ball in areas and you’re chasing lost causes, they’re a good pair to have because they’re always willing to go and earn something and he earned plenty in terms of the way he played the game and he took his goals very well.”
Sign into Boro Player for the full interview with GW, as well as post-match reaction from Martin and Kennedy.