RONNIE Moore is old enough and wise enough to see the bigger picture today; and accepts his out of sorts Hartlepool United side are up against it.

Pools take on Cheltenham in the first round of the FA Cup at Victoria Park. The Robins were relegated last season as Pools stayed up and, so far this season, their fortunes have been very different.

Gary Johnson’s side are second in the National League, while Pools have not won at home since August 18.

Performances and results of late have been woeful at times for Pools and Moore has made two loan signings this week to try and engineer a lift in outlook.

Both Adam Jackson and Jake Gray will start today after moving from Middlesbrough and Crystal Palace respectively.

Asked if his side have it all to lose, Moore accepted: "Without doubt - we've got a game on our hands.

"Our chief scout went to watch their win at Grimsby and me and Sam went to watch their replay against Havant & Waterlooville.

"We know it’s going to be a helluva game. Gary has done a great job changing their club around, bringing in a lot of players who've all gelled.

"All the pressure's on us. People think we're the league club, we're at home, we're going to win.

"But we know what the FA Cup is about.

"We need to go out and play, more than anything else it's about what we do.

"If we perform as we can, there's no reason why we can't win.’’

Twelve months ago Pools stuttered past East Thurrock United in round one before a home humbling by Blyth in the next round.

The management and squad have been completely changed since that night and Moore admitted: "I've not spoken about Blyth, I wasn't here then.

"We've just got to make sure that we're not another on the list that loses to a non-league team, albeit the top half of the Conference.

"There's not much difference between the Conference and League Two.

"It's nice to go as far as you can in the cup.

"If you can get through, then get a home draw in the second round and get though that then you are in the third round when a lot of big clubs come into it.

"I know Gary Johnson will be saying the same thing to his players but it's so important we turn up for this game.’’

Pools lost to Wimbledon and Crawley meekly in their last two games and need a big upturn in performances levels this afternoon.

Moore added: "Performances and results haven't been what we've desired.

"I'm not too bothered about the performance now, it's about winning. We're at a stage where we need to dig deep.

"A couple of new faces will help but whoever the 11 are just go out and play with a bit of pride and passion.

"This is the FA Cup, if that doesn't lift you, I don't know what does.

"The fans want to see us go as far as we can"

Robins’ chief Johnson is confident his side will visit Victoria Park in positive mood and said of Pools: “They are inconsistent – and the way we are playing at the minute means we have a chance. We look forward to it.

“If Hartlepool, in their heads, believe there was a big gulf between them and Wimbledon they won’t turn it around soon. I’m sure Ronnie will turn it around – their second half performance wasn’t bad and somewhere nearer where they want to be.

“Trevor won’t know many of our players now, but he decided to move on. For us, it’s not about him, but about getting through to the next round. A massive thing which we want to do.

“Those of us here last year remember their run which cost us relegation. They stayed up, we went down and, at the moment, I’m not sure which club is the happiest.

“Our supporters are probably happier than Hartlepool’s right now. We have to go there believing we can come away in the next round.’’

Moore will today start with Jackson and Gray, with Scott Harrison and Scott Fenwick likely to return and Kudos Oyenuga given a first start on the wing.