LEON MCSWEENEY admits a few home truths and some harsh words have brought the best out of Hartlepool United.

Following a big summer rebuilding at Victoria Park, Pools weren’t expected to be engaged in another season of struggle in League One.

But they have been fighting for their future after a terrible run of form in 2010.

Back to back wins, however, have put them in a strong position.

A healthy return in their next two games – at second bottom Wycombe today and at home to bottom club Stockport on Tuesday – would go a long way to keeping them out of the bottom four in the closing weeks of the season.

McSweeney, after being exiled to the bench, has been instrumental in those wins over Orient and Brighton in a leftwing role.

The Irishman’s workrate and effort has played its part in making it six points from six and he revealed the players have been made aware of what is expected from their teammates.

“We’ve had personal team meetings and there has been a few home truths spelled out,’’ he admitted.

“A few fingers have been pointed and the aggression has been thrown around the dressing room.

“I think it was something that had to be done. I think we were all too nicey, nice and that aggression is coming through.

“Even at half-time against Brighton words were exchanged and people responded and it was a thoroughly good performance.

“I think the workrate is one reason why we’ve picked up.’’ Pools slipped into the bottom four last Friday, but were out of it 24 hours later after their 3-1 victory at Orient.

To follow it up with a win over Brighton leaves them four points and five places outside the bottom four.

McSweeney added: “It (talking) was something we had to do as a team to get ourselves out of this situation.

“We were all well aware of the situation and it was a case of just grinding and a change of emphasis maybe, getting a high tempo higher up the park.

“That work ethic has paid off and ultimately got us the six points.

“We have been very hard to beat and when we gave away that goal at Leyton Orient we were disgusted that we didn’t keep a clean sheet because that’s something else we want to work on.

“We got a clean sheet and six points in a massive weekend that could have seen us fall further away. Thankfully we have gone the right way.’’ Pools will be forced into one change today, with Gary Liddle suspended, after keeping the same team for the double header.

“I don’t think I was surprised that there were no changes,’’ admitted Mc- Sweeney. “I think the manager is a man of principle and if you go and do the business for him he ultimately won’t make changes.

“Nobody let him down on Saturday so he was fully justified naming that 11 again.

“We’ve got six points so I’m not bothered about having heavy legs.’’ Signed last season from Stockport, McSweeney started the season in the side – playing up front – before finding his spot on the right wing.

But after the Boxing Day loss at Leeds, he had to wait 13 games for his next start – and that was at right back against Southampton.

He believes all the knocking on Chris Turner’s door and constantly saying “let me do a job” was the key to getting back in.

“It’s something that a footballer will always say, but I thought when I put on the Pools jersey I always gave 100 per cent regardless of whether or not I got the ball.

“I thought I was unfairly treated to a certain extent but the manager said I was ready to go back in and that I would take the bull by the horns. I think that’s what we all had to do.

“That’s why it was really frustrating. I started the season quite brightly and I couldn’t put my finger on anything.

“I just got taken out one time after the Colchester defeat and that was it really.

“It was mix and match after that and filling in for suspensions and as soon as the lads were back I was binned again and it was a three-and-a-half months’ exile.

“But that’s all in the past and I’m just looking forward to trying to help influence the rest of the season and putting in a shift.’’