Hignett urges Thomas to carry on good form against former club Mansfield

Hartlepool United manager Craig Hignett has asked former Mansfield Town winger Nathan Thomas to simply keep producing the electric form he has shown of late when he faces his former club at Victoria Park tomorrow.
Leyton Orient v Hartlepool United
English League Football - Sky BET League Two
Matchroom Stadium, Brisbane Road, Leyton, England.
28th March 2016

Hartlepool United's Nathan Thomas celebrates making it 2-0 

Picture by Dan WestwellLeyton Orient v Hartlepool United
English League Football - Sky BET League Two
Matchroom Stadium, Brisbane Road, Leyton, England.
28th March 2016

Hartlepool United's Nathan Thomas celebrates making it 2-0 

Picture by Dan Westwell
Leyton Orient v Hartlepool United English League Football - Sky BET League Two Matchroom Stadium, Brisbane Road, Leyton, England. 28th March 2016 Hartlepool United's Nathan Thomas celebrates making it 2-0 Picture by Dan Westwell

Thomas joined Stags last summer but left in the January window, homesick for his native North-East.

Recently he has played a big part in Hartlepool’s current fine run of six games unbeaten, scoring a superb goal in the 2-0 win at Leyton Orient.

“You always want to do well against a former club but Nath has so many we’ll come up against one every week,” smiled Hignett.

“He’s at a really nice place in himself, he’s playing well and enjoying his football. He’s been great for us, he was outstanding again at Leyton Orient, a real threat.

“I won’t ask him to do anything different against Mansfield, my message to him will be to keep doing what you’ve been doing.

“He scored a great goal, he’s got that in him and I’ve told him that any time he’s got a ‘one v one’ is get at them.”

He added: “We switched him right at the start of the second half at Orient because I wanted him coming in at goal, thankfully it had an effect, as it had at Barnet where we did that. He cut in there and scored a great goal.

“I’m pleased for him that goals are coming, he should be scoring double figures every season with the ability he’s got.”

On the game itself, Hignett said: “They are all tough games. There is nothing we fear in the league but anyone can beat anyone on the day.

“We have to make sure we are bang at it and we are everything we have been in the last month.

“Mansfield will come and pose us problems, but if we are right I’m confident we’ll win the game.”