CHRIS Turner is ready to revert back to a flat back-four on Saturday - despite the success of a return to a 3-5-2 line-up on Tuesday.

Pool won 1-0 at Bristol Rovers as Turner opted for a return to the three-man defence that served Pool so well in recent seasons, but has been ditched in recent months in favour of playing with wingers.

Turner, however, insists Tuesday was a one-off and is expected to have Paul Smith and James Coppinger back in tandem on the flanks to attack York on Saturday.

"We played three defenders for a reason,'' he insisted.

"It was because of the threat of Nathan Ellington - our tactics and team talk was based around his threat - then an hour before kick-off we discovered he wasn't playing!

"But the lads adapted to it well. Playing three defenders suits the centre-halves best, they each have different qualities and they complement each other well.

"Paul Stephenson has never played in the middle of midfield in a two and he hasn't played much football of late. If they had nicked an early goal or we needed to go on the attack, we could have changed to 4-4-2. But it was a temporary measure because 4-4-2 is exciting for us and we have been creating lots of chances.

"We looked at the opposition and felt that Ellington is a quality player - when we only played 12 minutes at Bristol he was getting in behind the defence and we needed to counteract it.''

Tuesday's win came courtesy of Adam Boyd's fourth goal in a week and Turner admitted: "He's got eight in just six starts now and that's not a bad record.

"He's a good, young player and has great potential. He has become an important player for us this season and it shows we are not missing Gordon Watson like people thought we would.

"Gordon gave us a lift when he came in and gave everyone belief that we could do it. He's a quality player and we want him back.''

Turner is hoping that Watson - who had knee surgery on Saturday - will be available for the trip to Kidderminster on Tuesday, March 2.

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