JIM Provett isn't the sort to be fazed by anything; his performances this season testify to that.

Hartlepool United's new No 1 - or should that be No 19? - made his first appearance just two games into the campaign and since August 13, the laid-back 20-year-old has never put a foot, or hand, wrong.

He has conceded a single goal in 540 minutes of Division Two action at Victoria Park - and that was when Pool were 4-0 up against Grimsby.

Provett has formed a solid barrier behind the already strong back line and hopes to maintain his record at Bournemouth today.

"We've kept a lot of clean sheets at home and, to be honest, it's down to the lads in front of me as much as anything,'' he said.

"They have been magnificent - Westy and Nelse have been fantastic and it's great to be playing behind those two.

"We lost Graeme Lee in the summer and I suppose plenty of people thought we would struggle without him, but Nelse is just getting better by the game.

"Now there's plenty of people who think we are stronger in defence.

"With Westy, you know every week you are going to get a good performance from him. I was watching him here as a kid when he first came to the club and he didn't have a good start.

"But now he is so consistent it's frightening.''

Provett had to wait a long time for his proper chance. Last season he made a single appearance in the LDV Vans Trophy at Tranmere when Pool fielded a largely second XI and were thumped 5-0. Every other game was spent as an unused sub on the bench.

Just like last season, he started as second choice, but after Anthony Williams slipped up at Peterborough, Provett was thrust into the spotlight the next game.

Pool and Provett went to Sheffield Wednesday in the Carling Cup, triumphed on penalties and Provett's shoot-out save from Dean Smith proved the decisive factor.

From the high of Hillsborough, his form has never dipped.

And the dad-to-be added: "I had a long wait for my chance and it was just so nice to get it and take it. I don't know what I can say about it really because it's been a case of just keep going.

"I was on the bench for a long time and you wouldn't be able to write what I was thinking! Frustrating isn't the word.

"Of course it was difficult, but I think that waiting so long and biding my time for so long turned me into a better player and a better person in myself - it made me mentally stronger.

"It's good to be able to have the chance to show what I can do.''

New boss Neale Cooper has laid down his groundrules to his squad - perform and a place is yours, fail to maintain your standards and you are out. He's not afraid to change things game by game.

And after doing what both Mike Newell and Chris Turner didn't manage and giving Provett his chance, the boss has no regrets: "The boy is just getting better by the game,'' beamed Cooper.

Provett, who had a loan spell at Spennymoor early last year, admitted: "It's always nice to hear the gaffer say nice things, but it would be the same if I worked in a factory.

"When I was called up, I don't think I was suffering from nerves, it was more a case of the excitement of wanting to perform and show what I could do to both the gaffer and Chris Turner."

Provett is likely to be behind a three-man back line after Cooper indicated his side needs to tighten up away from home.

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