RONNIE MOORE admits Hartlepool United’s players cannot complain at being left out.

Pools’ inconsistent nature has been summed up in the last week with an impressive win over Wycombe followed by a disappointing reverse at Accrington.

And, as they go to Cambridge this afternoon, Moore has a warning for his squad.

The manager is still looking to add to his ranks – he was linked yesterday with a move for former striker Luke James, while has had a bid rejected for Oldham striker Rhys Murphy and is keen on Macclesfield’s 25-goal striker Kristian Edwards.

The latter is on loan at Moss Rose from Stockport County.

Moore admits if and when he adds to his options, there’s every chance he will end up moving players out too.

Asked about a new striker moving in, he admitted: "Possibly, but it's more likely to be next week. It shows how ambitious the club are and what we want to do.’’

And he added: "If the players here have not done it then we can shift them on.

"We can't wait for anyone, they have all had their opportunities. Not one can knock on my door and have a go and say 'you haven't given me this, that or the other'.

"If they do not play Saturday that's because they did not perform on Tuesday.

"If they don't perform and someone takes their shirt then they have no scope to complain.

"When everyone's fit we could have 22 players and that will give me, and them, food for thought.

"They are professional people and they have to produce.

"We need them to give everything. I've said it before, we don't have to be the best footballing side in the world, but they have to give effort, commitment, that was totally lacking on Tuesday night.

"How many times this season have we had a good game and then an average game?

"We are not getting the in between that drags out a result.’’

He added: "Defensively, you think you are sound one minute, then you are looking for a left-back and a right-back.

"I could sit here and say I want another 11 players in, a lot of people might agree with that, but at this present time, what we've got, we've got to try to get the best out of.

"We are capable of getting a lot higher than where we are.

"We can string four or five wins together like we did last season and get out of the danger zone and into the comfort zone.’’

Last March, Pools racked up four successive wins which went a long way to securing their safety and could do with the same again to keep out of trouble.

But he warned of today’s game: "It's another tough one but there are no easy games.

"They probably have the best striker in the division in Barry Corr, he gets goals, Simpson is a decent player alongside him.

"They will get plenty of crosses in and they will go long when they have to.

"Shaun Derry has them playing a bit of football, they are not as direct as they used to be.

"But they are still go that way because of the players they've got.

"Cambridge are a big side and their dangers come from set-plays. If we give away too many set-pieces then you are going to be in trouble.

"Both centre-backs are 6ft 3in lads and they have size in the midfield.

"It will be a tin hat job at times.

"They have some decent players, but if we turn up and produce then we've got half a chance.

"Those players should need no motivation tomorrow from me, Sam and the backroom staff.

"They know what we need and that's three points.

"It could be more like the last 20 minutes against Wycombe so we need to be competitive.

"Defensively we have to be sound.’’

They were defensively sound last week, but slipped in midweek at Accrington when they shipped three goals.

Matthew Bates could return to the back four today after injury and Moore said: "You just don't know what's coming sometimes.

"They train hard and they talk a good game before they go out.

"It's about them rolling up their sleeves.

"Last week should have been the start of the season, but we follow a great result with a bad one.

"That's what we need to cut out, let's hope the penny drops.

"We need to be better. OK, Accrington are a good side, probably one of the best footballing teams along with Oxford.

"They try to play the right way.’’