If people ever wanted a captain to lead by example then look no further than big Sam, Won everything, organised his back four kept encouraging the team and was immense!.

People are quick to critise his errors and call for his head but for tonight he was the best defender on that pitch, Take a bow Sam Collins!! You were awesome!!

Well deserves praise for you fella!

The rest played well but i think Sam deserves his own praise as we know they read the forum!

And Gillingham!

Last week I was one of the people who thought that Collins was decidedly average.

However, I am big enough and old enough to applaud the MAN last night, he and the others in the back four were superb. I would also like to praise Haslam at rightback the was up against a pacy, tricky PREMIER league standard player and managed to keep a grip on him for most of the game. Also Monkhouse and McSweeney pushed wide and caused their fullbacks allsorts of problems, McSweeney is like a Duracell bunny he never stops.
At the begining of the season we all asked for effort, pride in the shirt and courage to have a go at teams especially at home .... and we got it all in bucket loads last night. Burnley had over 7 Million pounds worth of talent on show last night and some of them looked average.

Up the Pools and I hope that Nelson is playing at the weekend, Brown, Boyd and Behan will torture him. I will moan about things during the season when necessary, but I will praise when due.

WELL DONE FROM A PROUD POOLIE!

Collins played a real captain's role last night. I've always liked his ability to find a team mate when he has possession - his passing is very good. He's had other more serious things to worry about recently as has been mentioned, but maybe we will now see the best of him.
He was excellent in his first couple of months here and last night was back up to that standard

..and all the time people were slagging him off alongside Nelson. i think we now know who was holding who back ... funny old thing retrospection.

I think the defensive pairing of Collins and Liddle were exceptional. I like the way that even when it was Liddle's challenge Collins was always anticipating the 2nd ball and offering support. Haslam and Monkhouse also had great games too

Liddle has amazed and astounded me this season at how good he's been. He's never a midfielder in a million years - Wilson had him at the club almost 3 years and never played him in a position he is a natural in!!!!
Well done CT for getting the central pairing playing so well together!!

Corrected for you.

Sam Collins has been outstanding over the last couple of games and I would like to add my praise and appreciation to the lad. Well done Sam and your fellow defenders.
We now have a no frills, no nonsense defence. Credit to the management as well. I couldn't get to the Burnley game but have just watched the extended highlights and some of the football on display from our lads was really impressive, can't wait for Saturday.