FOUR games without defeat, and Craig Hignett wants to see a level of consistency with Hartlepool United.

Since the 6-1 humbling at Stevenage at the start of September, Pools have regrouped, reshaped and look a better team for it.

Today they go to Grimsby without a key performer in the suspended Nicky Featherstone, but with a rack of players desperate for a chance to impress.

Nicky Deverdics could replace Featherstone in midfield, while there is also the option of moving Liam Donnelly from defence into a more advanced role.

Pools have reverted to Hignett’s favoured 4-3-3 set-up and been rewarded with positive results and performances.

He said: “The last four games we have been excellent without getting the points the players deserved. I said on Tuesday if they play like that week in, week, out, they will win more than they lose.

“The challenge is to keep that level of consistency, performances and concentration. Don’t think you have cracked it because you’ve had some good performances.

“The team is close to clicking and we started a bit different with all-out attack. Now we have tightened up a bit and I think it suits them this way.

“There’s some really good footballers in there, this system suits us. The balancing act – as it has been all season – is to score goals we have to be a bit more open and to keep them out we have to be tighter. We need that happy medium.’’

With Nathan Thomas scoring five in five, and Padraig Amond going back to his former club this afternoon, Hignett is confident there’s goals in his side.

Last season’s top scorer Billy Paytner has been on the bench of late as Pools go with one out and out central striker, and Hignett said: “We are probably finding our way and with a bit more quality in front of goal we could have scored more than one in each of the last two games.

“This suits us, it’s more solid to be tighter in a game. Players have played this way more than any other since I came here and it’s my preferred system. They understand their roles and responsibilities.

“They are more comfortable playing it overall.’’

Two players key to Hignett’s system and who have impressed in recent games are Josh Laurent and Lewis Hawkins.

The latter made his mark last season after Hignett’s appointment, but Laurent has blossomed over the summer after his January move from Brentford.

The manager said: “Josh came back in pre-season well. We all noticed it, players and staff and he is stronger and more powerful. He’s knocked on the door a while and I’ve tried to get him in, but we started well in midfield with some good players.

“It’s tough to get them in. Lewis did well last season. I’m happy with what I’ve got and who I’ve got, but players will miss out.

“When they get their chance, and after Stevenage we decided to go with runners and both have taken their chances.

“Stevenage was a turning point for us all. It was good in a way to change it because of what happened and it’s give them a bit of a reality check. We went in 2-1 down at half-time and should have been cruising and they should have had a man sent off.

“Decisions didn’t go for us, but it was a game which made us realise what we wanted to be and changed it since. Credit to the lads, they have done it and kicked on a bit, but we would like a few more points than we have got.

“We deserved more and we have seen in the last two games, teams at the top end with a bigger budget and we are more than a match for them.’’