SOME home truths have kick-started Hartlepool United into life.

Amid a miserable start to the new season, Pools went six games without a win and suffered a woeful home defeat to Fylde.

But since that day they have won three games in a row, found energy and their spirit has come to the fore.

Goalkeeper Scott Loach always felt the team was capable of success this season and making an assault on promotion; and now they have started to show it.

"The team spirit has been incredible,’’ he admitted. “I'm not saying we're laughing and joking on the pitch but there are smiles on our faces and when we need to dig each other out of trouble then we do.

"After Fylde a few words were said but the lads have taken it on board.

"But we can't get carried away, it's been three games, we need to carry this on.’’

Pools are at Wrexham this evening, before they go to Orient on Saturday. If they come through these games unscathed then they really will have showed what they are capable of.

Loach admitted: “We all knew that we could do better.

"The gaffer Jenks, Batesy, Bernie were doing everything they could and we weren't delivering and they were getting the flak for it.

"As players we sat down and said 'we need to be doing this, this and this'.

"Nicky Featherstone coming into the team has made a difference, he's a big voice and personality in the dressing room.

"The same with Keith (Watson), it helps to have strong characters like these in your side.

"Guiseley and Saturday were not the best, but we got over the line.

"We have a squad good enough to win this league but consistency and desire are the key words.

"I've played in this league before with York and those are the qualities you need to get over the line."

Pools won on Saturday against Dagenham, a game in which they would have crumbled in the opening weeks of the season. Instead they dug in, Loach outstanding, and Jonathan Franks earned the win with a 75th minute finish.

"I don't want people to take this the wrong way,’’ insisted Loach. “But we have to be turning over the Maidstones of this world when they come here if we are to have any chance.

"That's meant as no disrespect to those teams.

"We have to beat those teams and we have to beat the teams around you as well.

"That happens in every league, beating a team and bringing them three points closer to you is a sweet feeling.

"It's about finding the consistency now, it's no good winning three then losing two.

"We want to keep this momentum going."

Pools sit seventh bottom in the National League table, but only three points of the all-important play-off spots.

Tonight’s opponents drew 0-0 at Torquay on Saturday and are third top.

"It's tight from top to bottom this league and that's probably how it's going to be until the end of April,’’ added Loach. "We want to be going upwards.

"But it's all about consistency now, we can't get carried away because we've won three games.

"People will be looking from the outside saying 'why have Hartlepool only won three?' We know we could have been up there had the performances have been better."

Pools have conceded one goal in three games, that in the last minute against Maidstone and Loach has saluted his new central defenders.

Michael Ledger, on loan from Sunderland, and Keith Watson, on loan from St Johnstone, have formed a quick understanding and have cut out the soft mistakes which pegged Pools back in the opening weeks of the season.

"Saturday was a bit of a smash and grab but if you defend like that and show the desire we did then you can win games in this league,’’ he said. "It's a tough league.

“Keith Watson and Michael Ledger have been incredible.

"It's my job to save shots, sometimes you do, sometimes you don't but it's nice to give the team a helping hand.

"But it's not just be me, Keith has made a fantastic block which could well have been heading to the top corner and Connor Simpson has made a great header from a corner.

"Everyone from 1-11 has done something, whether it's been a block, clearance, tackle and whatever it is, it's got the crowd going, they love seeing the desire.’’

Loach openly apologised to supporters after the Fylde defeat, he was on the receiving end of their praise on Saturday.

He added: "They were incredible, but win, lose or draw, they deserve to be applauded, they have paid their money to come and support us.

"I can't comment on last season but we have to show we're having a go, the crowd are our 12th man.

"Hopefully we'll continue that and make this place a fortress, we need teams coming to the Vic thinking this is a tough place to come.’’