RITCHIE Humphreys reckons Hartlepool United should be following the Plymouth formula for success.

Pool are in the race for the Division Two play-off places, sitting in ninth place.

Three points today at Grimsby would keep Neale Cooper's side right in the mix for the end of season shake-up.

But Humphreys admits that even if Pool miss a top six spot there's plenty to be optimistic about.

The Pilgrims spent a season getting to know the division after being promoted from Division Three and now they are five points clear at the top.

Pool lost 4-1 to QPR last week, Rangers completing an 8-2 aggregate double this season, and Humphreys admitted: "They are big, big clubs who are challenging at the top, and with no disrespect to the rest of the league they should easily win promotion.

"Ten years ago QPR were in the top half of the Premiership and if they get promoted this season they would more than hold their own in the First Division.

"But like Plymouth they have been in this division for a few years and they know what it is all about.

"This time last year they were in a similar position to us, in or around the play-off places and it is teams like that we should be looking to learn from.

"They have learned from being in this division and are now looking to push on."

Humphreys took over the captaincy on Tuesday for the 2-2 draw with Stockport, but Micky Barron should be fit to resume after recovering from a stomach upset.

Pool have more than exceeded expectations this season and Humphreys - last season's player of the year - added: "We have done very well.

"The team might have only picked up one point from the last two matches at home but just look how far we have come this season.

"We have not lost two games in a row this season and that is a record we are very proud of.

"Yes we've dropped points at home and it's disappointing because at home we expect do very well.

"But against QPR we were beaten by a better side and against Stockport we had enough chances to win but we just couldn't put the ball in the net.

"We've had a few of those games where we've done everything except stick the ball in the net.''

Pool's home game with today's opponents was the highlight of the season to date - a thumping 8-1 win on Friday, September 12.

Paul Robinson netted a hat-trick that night and Grimsby, under new boss Nicky Law, are desperate for revenge.

Striker Jonnie Rowan admitted: "I'd never been on the end of that scoreline before and it isn't something I would like to repeat.

"It is not a nice feeling and I do not want to go back there. I am sure we will be reminded of that scoreline before the game and the lads will be up for it - believe me."

Cooper admitted the players are starting to feel the effects of a long season. After Tuesday's draw, he said: "A couple of the boys are really tired at the moment and we don't have the facility to rest many players because we don't have the biggest of squads.

"One or two boys have come to me and said 'to be honest boss I am quite tired'.

"Some of the lads have been playing week-in week-out and they are bound to be feeling it at this stage."

He added: "Sometimes when you are going through a bit of a hard time you need encouragement rather than people on your back.

"We just hope the fans can see that. We are trying our hardest all the time, we train hard and work hard and we want a real push in our last ten games.

"One or two fans are disgruntled and we will apologise for that, but they can't fault the work-rate of the lads and we want them to get behind us with ten games to go.

"There were one or two players getting a bit of stick.

"It has been a long season and a learning curve for everyone."