EIGHT games in and at the fourth attempt at home, Hartlepool United are desperate to record a first home win in League One.

In three Victoria Park outings, Pools have one point from nine and three goals.

They have lost two and conceded ten times in the process.

With Walsall visiting this afternoon, Chris Hutchings’ side have not won in five, Wadsworth is of the belief a solid week on the training ground will bring a reward.

Pools have been stubborn away from home, conceding only once in four games.

In front of their own fans, however, it’s been a different story.

“We are ready now, ready to put in a winning performance,”

insisted Wadsworth, who will today take charge of his eighth game in temporary command.

“We have had all sorts of emotions at home, conceded far too many goals and probably have the best away record in the league, conceding only one in four.

“It’s the opposite to most teams generally have – easier to win at home than away. It’s been worrying, but I think the players know because of what we have been through at home – we’ve not been hopeless, we have played some fantastic football and made mistakes which have cost us – they are ready.’’ Pools meet Carlisle at home on Tuesday, before their longest journey of the season next weekend, when they travel to Plymouth.

And Wadsworth accepts the need to turn the promising early season performances into points.

“We have back-to-back home games to come and we want and need to win both games,’’ he said. “Walsall are probably looking at it and thinking Hartlepool have a terrible home record.

“It’s a good time to go there, perhaps it’s not, and it’s a bad time as we are ready for a big win.

“Every game is crucial, it’s early in the season and things can change drastically. I look back at my first season as a manager, I was at Carlisle in 1993. We were in the bottom six until January and I found it tough, yet we got to the playoffs.

“Seasons can be tough, it’s a long run, and if you do the right work and keep clear of injuries and get the right players in when needed, I think this team can do well, I really do.

“It’s the spin of the coin really. It comes down heads away from home we are terrific, tails at home we aren’t so clever are we?

“I don’t mean just the back players, it’s the whole team and everyone has a role to play. We’ve looked at the stats, looked at the DVDs and put work in in training and we are ready to make sure our home performances match ourselves at home.’’ Pools returned from Brentford last weekend with a point and Wadsworth added: “We’ve had a good week in training and we have to maintain the mentality we have away from home.

“Our young kids and trainees have been away on a course and it’s allowed Micky (Barron, youth team coach) to be available and we’ve done a lot of work. I’ve been able to break the big group up into smaller groups and we have put some work in.

“That’s what I like doing and hopefully we can see the reward.’’ Adam Boyd is the latest to join the injury list at Pools. He was injured in the midweek reserve draw at Hull when he damaged an ankle.

Today’s game comes too soon for James Brown (ankle) and Denis Behan (back) is a doubt. Joe Gamble is back from injury.

Goalkeeper Jake Kean continues in goal after an impressive debut last weekend.

Signed on loan from Blackburn, the 6ft 4in shot-stopper fills in for Scott Flinders, who is out for three months with a thumb injury.

“We’ve had back luck with injuries and to lose one goalkeeper is unlucky, to lose two is amazing really,’’ said Wadsworth.

“But Jake did well last week and we hope he can continue, we want to bring cover in for him. Having said that Liam Mooney had a fantastic game for the reserves in midweek.

He’s only young, with little experience, and now we are identifying the right goalkeeper to come in as cover to push Jake along.

“As far as debuts go, he did very well.

“He was assured, made critical saves, his kicking was good – a really good debut.

Brentford beat Everton at home the other night, so it proves it’s a tough place to go.’’