OUT: Matthew Bates

IT has been a crazy week for manager sackings. In the National league, Matthew Bates paid the price for losing six games on the spin while John Flanagan was also given his marching orders at Curzon Ashton.
I do often wonder if clubs are being realistic about their ambitions. In Hartlepool’s case, I can see a case for the defence. Taking zero points from a possible 18 will have any board member twitching their fingers and reaching for the gun. That said; it was sad to see Bates – a talented young manager – being sent on his way. Only a few weeks ago Po...