WITH FIVE goals in six games, Lewis Alessandra is on top of his game.

After showing what he can do in fits and starts this season for Hartlepool United, the attacker is playing as well and as consistent as he has.

He will start against Portsmouth at The Northern Gas and Power Stadium this afternoon, as Pools seek the points to keep their heads above the bottom two.

With eight points and a superior goal difference, with seven games to go, Pools could do with two wins to maintain their advantage over Orient and Newport.

And, with Alessandra firing on all cylinders right now, he should have a big role to play.

"He's technically very good, he's a threat and he's gained a lot of confidence,’’ reflected boss Dave Jones.

"There is a bit of a swagger about him which is good.

"You can't inject people with confidence, they have to get that themselves and Lewie is one of those who has done that

"He doesn't say a great deal but he's always got a smile on his face

"He's one of the players who has bought into what we are trying to do.

"It seems to fit well with him and we're seeing the best of him."

Jones has improved Pools’ performances of late, and they won three from four before back to back defeats to Wycombe and Blackpool.

The manager has been surprised and alarmed by the fitness levels in the squad, but at this stage of the season, with 39 League Two games under their belts, fitness training and, what would be in effect a mini pre-season fitness programme, is off the agenda.

Jones insisted: "(It’s) Seven months too late, it should have all been done in July.

"You can't get them fitter now but you can get them sharper.

"The endurance isn't what we'd like it to be but we'll have to cope with that. You can't put that into them now."

Jones is also surprised by the make-up of his squad. While a number of players have been allowed to leave, both on a permanent and temporary basis, there is an imbalanced outlook amongst the ranks.

Options are very limited – especially with experienced professionals Billy Paynter (Achilles), Rob Jones (knee), Trevor Carson (shoulder) and Carl Magnay (knee) all long-term injuries.

Performances have improved of late, with Jones installing a new system and way of playing since he replaced Craig Hignett in January.

Jones said: “We played well last week, but results matter. As well as we played, I feel – not just me but other managers here - would say the same that we played well but came away with nothing.

“We made mistakes and got punished. We are pleased with how we played, but that’s without being rewarded.

“I feel someone’s loss is someone’s gain and if a player wants to step up and make the most of that chance then all the better.

“We have injuries and we’ve given some players a chance, the young players we have given a chance to deserve to be there.

“The problem we have is that look at Blackpool – they bring on three players who can come on and change the game. We aren’t at that level yet.

“The players we can bring on are not ready for first-team football, they are on the bench, but not ready for it and they won’t change the game.

“Sometimes you want to take someone off, but it makes you weaker. No disrespect to the youngsters, but when you are bringing a 17-year-old on who is learning his trade it may not be of benefit.

“We have to put certain players on the bench, but what we have barring one or two on the bench is all we have got. It’s something to address and we will address for future plans for the football club.

“We go with what we have got and so far they have been brilliant since we’ve been here.

“Experience only comes with being around it and being part of it. We are a young side, very open to what we are telling them and in the game and now should stand them in good stead for many, many years.

“We would like to drop one or two in to give them a chance, but every week can be detrimental to their development because of fatigue and if you are losing games then it doesn’t do their confidence any good.

“There’s lots of factors to ponder and what we look at, but for now it’s all hands to the pump.’’