MICHAEL Duckworth admits the pressure is off for Hartlepool United this evening.

Pools take on Bournemouth at Victoria Park in the Capital One Cup. It’s only a little over two years ago that the teams met in League One, but now the Cherries are a Premier League club.

And, while Pools were losing at Stevenage on Saturday, Eddie Howe’s side were winning at West Ham.

The visitors will change their team around for tonight’s tie, but Duckworth admitted: “We all want to play Tuesday, it’s the sort of game we all want to play in.

“The pressure is on them, we can play with no pressure, we have nothing to lose and get the ball down and play at home.

“We have a chance to come back on Tuesday and it’s an ideal game for us – I’d expect them to play a weakened side, but it will still be a good side. There’s no pressure on us with League points at stake and we can have a go at them.’’

Pools disappointed at Broadhall Way, giving Stevenage their first win of the season as Pools took too long to kick into action.

But it was the first reverse for Ronnie Moore’s side after four successive victories.

“It’s only one defeat from five this season, which is a record we can be happy with and it’s a different team from where we were last year – hopefully we are going in the right direction,’’ added Duckworth.

“There’s a different outlook around the place now, it’s much better than last year.

“We have a better squad than before and there’s more balance to it. Last year was a bit of a shambles on the pitch and we weren’t really together in the dressing room as well.

“We are all a lot closer and more together, which comes form a good team spirit which helps in performances. We all stick together win, lose or draw.’’

The Cherries reached the quarter-finals last season, losing to Liverpool and assistant boss Jason Tindall admitted: “The competition is a priority – we look forward to it and want to win every game we play.

“Last year it was a fantastic one for us, quarter-finals against Liverpool and we want to go one step further.’’

Steven Fletcher, born in Hartlepool and now Bournemouth’s head of recruitment, is part of the visitor’s furniture after a long playing career and Tindall added: “Fletch wants to come – his home club and he’s well loved there, I’m sure he will be with us – not to play though!

“He’s not playing any more, it’s going to be a tough game, lower league teams are tough and we were one of them not long ago.

“They will make it tough for us and we have to go and work hard.

“It’s an opportunity for the players who have not been in the team in the opening three games, a chance for them to go and perform. Last year they all did themselves proud and the guys playing we are confident can go and deliver a good performance.

“We will make changes – that’s what we did last year, but we have a squad we trust and believe in.

“Many of the players who haven’t played in our opening three games have a chance to perform and show what they can do.’’

Moore will give a first start to Rhys Oates, while Andrew Boyce will start in central defence with Matthew Bates (Achilles) injured.

Admission tonight is £10 and £5 concessions.