TWO home games in a week and amid all the talk of a fresh start at Hartlepool United, winning games at Victoria Park will make the improvement seem real.

Pools’ home form in recent seasons has been woeful.

The last time they won more games in front of their own fans than they lost was back in 2010/11 – nine wins, six draws, eight defeats and an equal goal difference.

Since then, in league football, they have won 52 times, drew 39 and lost 70 with a negative goal difference of -23.

Yet still the supporters come back for more.

Despite losing 10 times at Victoria Park last season in the National League, they have sold more season tickets this time around.

Around 2,900 have been bought and Pools take on Harrogate Town tonight and Ebbsfleet at the weekend with Bates determined to engineer a change in fortunes.

"Our home form has not been good enough,’’ reflected the manager. “We need to improve that if we are to challenge.

"I feel that will with the new players and the freshness at the club.

“There possibly was a fear [of playing at home] in the past. We now need to get a good run at home, at any stage.

"I understand why the fans have got on the players' back in the past. What we need to do is get wins at home and then if we lose a few the fans will stick with us.’’

There has been a positive reaction to the new regime and management over the summer and Bates admitted of the volume of season tickets sold: “"It is surprising but with the owner doing the right things and the players we have brought in I think the fans can see things are turning around.

"They want to be a part of it, see a good season and support the club.

"I don't think we expected that many, though, so it is credit to the fans.’’

Bates is still able to add to his squad if he feels the need. There’s players at the club who can still move on, but he is more than happy with the quality of player signed so far over the summer.

"I wanted a good squad of 22 - two for each position,’’ he admitted.

"Did I think the 22 would be as competitive as it is? Probably not. It is a credit to the football club for getting that level of player in.

"It makes my job harder because it is difficult to select a team.

"But it has given us a more challenging group of players that we feel can go further than we thought we would within our budget.

"Everyone will be fighting for places. With that there has been no moaning or groaning. I have laid down the law to the players. They have been told that if they do not want to be here they can go.

"They know where I stand. They know they have to work hard to get in the team.’’