RONNIE MOORE allowed his Hartlepool United players to celebrate victory last weekend with a pint or two.

And he’s more than happy to let them do the same this weekend if they make it back to back victories when they go to Portsmouth.

Pools convincingly beat Plymouth at Victoria Park on Saturday and confidence is high – a rare occurrence this season – within the camp.

While there’s uncertainty over the club’s planned takeover – talks are believed to be ongoing between current owners IOR and prospective buyers TMH2014 – on the pitch, Moore is getting plenty of effort and honesty from his squad.

But they are at Fratton Park on Saturday, when their new-found belief will be put to the test in front of a large crowd.

Moore said: "I hope we are not overawed by the atmosphere at Portsmouth.

"I told the players after Plymouth to enjoy the win but don’t go daft – I’m not one of those that says they can’t have a beer.

"If they want to they can, but do it sensibly and then we start work again ahead of Portsmouth.

"If you can't enjoy playing in front of 14,000 then there is something wrong.

"I have been there with Tranmere and there was that number there and they frightened the life out of our lads. We ended up getting beat 3-0 so it can have an affect.

"But the confidence is quite high and I think at this moment I am looking forward to it – mind I haven’t won many games down there and it will be nice to put that right.’’

Moore was this week nominated for the League Two manager of the month award after a much-improved January, and while they lost at Wycombe and Shrewsbury, also recorded two victories.

"There aren't any easy games and nothing between the top and bottom teams,’’ said Moore. "We played well at Shrewsbury but lost is in the second half, did well at Wycombe but got beat narrowly.

"We are capable of going anywhere and winning. It is just getting the right formation."

Moore has mentioned of late the possibility of playing three centre-halves and the loan signing of David Mirfin from Scunthorpe gives him that option.

Pools have changed from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3 in the last two games and Moore can shift further now he has extra bodies in.

He said: "It gives me the opportunity to maybe change the system again and go three at the back and go 3-5-2.

"I think our full backs like to attack and the wingbacks system would suit that.

"Having Matthew Bates in there gives the others freedom to bomb forward.

"He knows the game and sits in there. We had Matthew in there as security to pick one of their lads up in the last two games, but he got on the ball a lot and I was pleased for him."