CHANGE. It’s the watchword under Dave Jones. Since being appointed Hartlepool United manager it’s become his mantra.

But for all the talk and promises, there’s only one thing needed to back it up.

And back to back home wins in a week, six points from six and seven goals scored in the process shows promising signs of progress.

Tuesday was Pools’ first 4-0 home win since 2013, winning on Saturday secured five games without defeat under Jones – the first time that’s happened since March 2014. As Jones said it’s too long and they are hardly records which are tough to break.

Pools have been a soft touch at The Northern Gas and Power Stadium this season, far too soft. They’ve still only won five times, but two of them in the last week have been vital.

They’ve kept them out of the bottom two, and jumped them above Notts County, the team they go to on Saturday.

“We need to be turning our home into a difficult place to come – if someone is going to get something they have to earn it. We don’t give anything away,’’ insisted Jones.

“Then away from home and you have to be dogged and stick it out, earn the right to play. If you can turn your home place into a fortress, when they know you are going to come at them then it all helps.

“Any win is important, no matter the circumstances.

“Even when they say you have nothing to play for – there is always something to play for, finishing position, whatever. The sooner everyone gets that mentality then you will see that club fly.’’

Saturday’s win came from a change. An alteration in formation in the second-half proved the difference.

Trailing to an early strike from Ollie Watkins, the goal coming minutes after David Wheeler somehow volleyed against the crossbar from five yards, Pools somewhat struggled.

It wasn’t happening for them and the game was passing them by.

Jones replaced Michael Woods with Lewis Hawkins and changed from 4-5-1 to 4-4-2.

Rhys Oates pushed up front to support Padraig Amond and he was a revelation. Played in his preferred central striking role in Jones’ first game in charge when he ran Stevenage ragged, he did the same this time.

Oates cramped up at the end such was his efforts in a short space of time. Exeter couldn’t handle him.

His role in the second goal was immense. The Grecians claimed a penalty as Watkins went to ground in the area.

Pools broke away and Oates took possession, tore forward and shrugged off defender Troy Brown and has options left and right.

Nathan Thomas on the right was seemingly the better option, Oates instead shifted the ball left for Padraig Amond. One touch to get the ball out of his feet and his second was as joyous shot crashed high into the net.

In three minutes the game was turned.

Pools had levelled when Thomas crossed and the ball diverted into the path of Alessandra who deftly turned home from an angle.

And he made it four goals in a week, doubling his tally for the season in injury time with a goal of some quality.

Picking the ball up on the touchline, he cut inside and kept going, confidently cracking in from the edge of the area.

More of this and he will beat the 13 goals he netted for Plymouth in 2014/15.

“I don’t like singling people out, but Rhys and Lewis were absolutely superb,’’ said Jones. “They were picked out in the dressing room.

“They changed the whole dimension of what we did in the second-half.

“I don’t normally pick out individuals, but those two deserved it. And everyone in the dressing room agreed and they got a nice round of applause. So it’s nice to them to be recognised by their peers and it’s a nice thing to have.’’

The manager added: “If these results don’t boost confidence then you have to wonder what the hell I am doing.

“But there was a good atmosphere around the place, but at times there was a little lull. Our patterns of play were coming off, but we let ourselves down with the final ball.

“Shape was good, attacking play will come, but our priority is staying in games and the lads have listened and worked hard and that was important for us.

“As we go on we will add more and change things around and crack the whip a bit more and it will come and I want them walking off the pitch absolutely drained like they did. Then you know you have put a shift in, like the other night and in recent games.

“The difference is we are getting results.’’