AHEAD of two key home games, the Hartlepool United camp is a confident one.

Saturday’s FA Cup win at South Shields made it one defeat in nine for Craig Harrison’s side and they now take on Sutton and Tranmere in the space of four days at Victoria Park.

Their current run of results has ensured a sticky start to the season is put to bed and, while they remain in mid-table, the tight nature of the National League means they are only two points from the play-offs and seven from top.

Nicky Deverdics scored Pools’ winner on Saturday with a fine free-kick and he admitted: "Our spirit is as good as ever.

"After a rocky start to the season we have pulled ourselves together, we've got a good chunk of points from our last nine games and we've now progressed in the cup.

"Things are going well at the minute.

"Everything is going well, so much so the gaffer took me out of left-back for 20 minutes!

"I nearly had a heart-attack when Blair came on and I was pushed forward.

"I forgot what to do.

"Seriously, we're in a good place, everything is going in the right direction, but you can't take your foot off the pedal.

"You saw in the first half you can get punished, no matter who you are playing against."

Deverdics and Devante Rodney turned the game around after Pools trailed, and the away dressing room at half-time was a passionate place.

Strong words were said to kick the side into gear and Deverdics, who could start in a more advanced role on Saturday after playing left-back in recent weeks, added: "It can come from the gaffer, Jenks, Batesy, one of the more experienced guys.

"But it can also come from one of the younger players, if they see or feel something.

"We are all the same team, it's not like certain people care not allowed to speak.

"If something needs to be said to help the side then that's how it is.

"It's never a personal vendetta, especially in this dressing room, it's never nasty.

"But it happens that players can have a stinker. Some need an arm around the shoulder in that situation and told 'you are better than that' and some need a rocket.’’