A third of United’s goals in all competitions have come in the last 15 minutes of their games, with the latest example the last-minute equaliser from Lewis Alessandra on Saturday afternoon.
Speaking about that late-goal habit, manager Keith Millen said: “I think that’s a reflection on the work we’re doing and the attitude of the group, and the belief they’ve got.
“I don’t like going a goal down but I do think there’s a belief we can turn it round. You don’t see the players’ heads drop. The reaction to going a goal down is a positive one. That’s pleasing.
“I do feel in most games we tend to look like we’re getting stronger. There’s not many games where I’ve felt the opposition have got stronger than us. That gives confidence to the group that they can believe in the fitness.”
“For the players, I think it shows the mindset and where they are mentally,” he added. “That comes with confidence and a belief in what you’re doing.
“Our running stats keep improving and the commitment and effort was there to see on Saturday. I think the fans are picking up on that as well, especially as the second half got going, because they could see that the players were really trying to get back in the game.
“They really got behind the team and you could feel the atmosphere in the ground change, and that was because of the effort the players put in. The quality wasn’t as good as it has been, but sometimes you get those games and it’s a hard one to explain.
“We certainly had too many players who weren’t on the top of their game on Saturday, but they kept going.
“The subs can make a big difference in a game and the competition for places is certainly a lot healthier now. I’ve got some good options on the bench and the subs came on and made a difference.”
Key to maintaining the feel-good factor is the work done on the training pitch, which the manager confirmed is being welcomed by his group.
“I look at the load, the amount of running they’re doing, and sometimes in training you can pick up on it a little bit on a Monday,” he explained. “They’re in a good place.
“Their fitness levels are really good. Their running stats, sprinting distance, high speed running are improving all the time. That comes with the work we do.
“I think it comes with confidence as well. They’re happy in what they’re doing. They’re going out there believing in what they’re doing and that helps with their running as well.
“We have a busy week with the Tuesday game and then the trip to Forest Green, so we have to factor that in.
“It’d be nice to go into that game off the back of a win, because your performance levels will be higher.
“We can judge ourselves on where we are, because they’re at the top of the league and flying. We’re totally focused on the Hartlepool game tonight, and making sure we perform well, and then we’ll make sure we get the rest of the week right.”
