DAVE JONES has saluted the travelling hoards of Hartlepool United fans who will descend on Blackpool this weekend.

Pools go cross country to face the Tangerines, backed by 1,440 away fans. And with tickets on sale on the day from Bloomfield Road, Pools supporters could easily outnumber home fans.

Blackpool’s home following numbers under 2,000 as they continue to stay away under protest against the club’s owners. Their Supporters’ Trust is actively encouraging a boycott today, urging fans to go and watch North West Counties League side AFC Blackpool take on Oswestry Town.

"It's fantastic,’’ mused Jones of Pools’ backing. "The more supporters we have the more noise they make.

"If we can turn it into a home game that'll be fantastic.’’

Despite a 13-game winless run away from home, Pools ended their duck last time out with a victory at Cambridge, thanks to a Michael Woods finish.

Home boss Gary Bowyer admitted: “They’re fighting for their lives but they’re a good team.

“I’ve watched them this week and they’ve got some good individuals. They play the game the right way.’’

The Tangerines have gone eight unbeaten and Jones added: "We've watched the videos of Blackpool and had our scouts watch them.

"We'll try to nullify their strengths and impose ours on them.

"We'll be starting the game with one point and we'll be looking to make it three

"They are on the fringe of the play-offs so they need the points, as much as we need them, so it should be a good game.’’

Of Blackpool’s fall from grace – they tumbled from Premier League to League Two with three relegations in six seasons – is well documented.

Jones said: “They’ve dropped down the league. I don’t know the ins and outs of Blackpool and what’s gone on.

“It’s happened to a lot of clubs – Coventry, Sheffield United, others. It takes a long time to climb somewhere, but not as long to fall.

“You have to be diligent in what you do. That’s what I preach here. It’s about sustaining success. Continuity in any walk of life is good. Sustainability.

“I won’t cover anything up, achieve it, then keep it. One season isn’t a long time. To keep something at a sustained level you have to keep and maybe that’s where clubs have fell down.’’

Newport drew with Luton in midweek, and they are eight points shy of Pools with Cheltenham in between the sides.

Pools have eight games to go and also have to face bottom club Orient as well as Cheltenham.

Jones could do with three wins to make sure of safety, but he won’t be setting any targets.

He said: “We are only safe when it's done mathematically.

"The targets we have to get, the players know it and we aren't able to take anything for granted yet.

"We see the difference here at the club, the place is changing.

“The players have adapted and it’s a massive change sometimes. There’s a style of play we are trying to get, but we are limited with the squad we have and the players are adapting to it.

“I can’t take anything away from them, we were frustrated last weekend with a game in which we were out-thought and fell short with experience.

“I don’t set a target, we just go for what we can. Targets will come when we start a full season, push for something and you have to be at a certain level at a certain time. But we don’t put it on the players, they are staff targets.

“When you get into certain positions and certain times, then you know.

“At the moment with so many injuries and tired bodies, we don’t mind a free midweek. It’s not so much the games we have, but more the travelling and sitting on a coach for so long.

“For now it helps us get players back to fitness, but I’d normally prefer games and that’s what players want. This week gives us a chance to get some back.’’

Rhys Oates remains a doubt after he missed last weekend’s game through fatigue. Liam Donnelly (dead leg) should return and Jones said: "We are waiting on Rhys, Liam, Nathan (Thomas) , Matty (Bates) has been ill a few days but he's back in and training.

"We can't afford to lose first-team players, we're not carrying the biggest of squads.

"We need all hands on deck at the moment and when we are safe, those carrying a knock or two might be able to just see the season out.

"Our priority is to stay safe."