FOR Michael Woods, Hartlepool United are ready to step things up.

Pools take on Cheltenham Town this afternoon, still seeking a first home win of the season in League Two.

They did see off Stamford on home turf last weekend, but Woods, back from injury and after making starts in the last two games to build up his fitness, admitted: “It is a good chance for us.

“That home league win has to come soon, I think it is coming.

“Newport, Barnet, and others, we just keep shooting ourselves in the foot.

“If we can keep the performance levels up on Saturday I am confident we can get three points.

“It's not far off at all. If we win a couple on the bounce we could easily be 10 places higher up the division.

“But to do well in any division at any level you have to win your home games.’’

Pools have dropped down the table in recent weeks, three successive defeats have followed the 3-0 win at Grimsby.

And their position has to improve, with Woods and Co confident it soon will.

The midfielder admitted: “I don't think there have been that many teams who have come here that have been brilliant.

“This is not as strong a league as it was last year. The Northampton and Oxfords of this world were excellent. There is nothing like that this year.

“I have not come away from any game saying 'they were a good side'. If you look back at the highlights you see how we cause our own problems.

“That makes it even more frustrating, especially when you look at the league table.’’

But he added: “There is only so long you can go on talking about it. We need to do something about it.

“How many clean sheets are we keeping? Not many, are we?

“I don't want to sound like a parrot but we are not far away. It is a bit of know-how and experience that has been the difference.’’