CRAIG HIGNETT wants consistency from his Hartlepool United players.

Pools have suffered three defeats this season, but only one in their last five games. Victory over Wrexham on Monday was a convincing one and the manager is demanding his side take that confidence into today’s trip to Torquay and Tuesday’s game at Barrow.

Hignett said: “I said after winning at Maidenhead that we wanted to go on a run now, but we didn’t. Now we need a run of winning games, not win one, draw one. Be consistent and we end up where we want to be.

“The win against Wrexham lifts us into a different place and gives us something to build on.

“It’s important not to rely on Gime (Toure) too much – Liam (Noble) came back in and scored two and he has to perform while the lads out of the team have to take their chance when they get it.

“It’s good to share the goals out.

“We left people out on Monday – Nicky Featherstone, Ryan Donaldson – and we are always talking about things game by game and trying to improve.’’

He added: “We needed to win on Monday and show what we are about. We’ve played reasonably well without getting the points and again we had to come from behind to win, it would be nice to get in front and see a game out.

“There’s nothing in the league at all. It’s tight and it’s fine margins. Get on a good run and it gives you a lift – anyone can beat anyone but it’s about consistency and confidence.

“It’s how it is, nothing between most teams and probably 16/17 teams can make the play-offs.

“Little things make a difference and the Fylde game bothers me now with two points dropped thanks to a goal which should have been disallowed for offside.

“The start we have had, we’ve been disappointed overall but there’s a lot to come from us and it’s about picking points up until we have a strong squad to pick from.’’

While Middlesbrough take on Bristol City, managed by Lee Johnson today, Pools are up against a team bossed by Johnson senior.

Hignett said: “Gary Johnson knows his way around the game and we know what to expect from Torquay. But focus on ourselves and do what we can on the day.’’

Pools are at Barrow on Tuesday evening. They set off for the south west yesterday morning and were planning a spa and swimming session on arrival at their team hotel, rather than stopping off for a training session to break up their eight-hour haul.

The manager added: “We’ve got Barrow next week and people look and think it’s a local one for us, but it’s a couple of hours and the journey isn’t the best.

“Every game is a trek for us, but we get Torquay out of the way and been alright so far with travelling and then it gets more hectic – Eastleigh, Dover and all the London ones. We know what the travelling is all about, prepare right and get on with it.’’

Luke Molyneux yesterday had an operation to remove some floating bone from the ankle he damaged at York in pre-season which has further delayed his start to the season.

“The two Lukes are still out for a big longer, Nicke Kabamba is still out, Romoney (Crichlow-Noble) had food poisoning on Monday, Kenton is still out, Niko hasn’t trained yet. Josh Hawkes is back which is good, but he was a bit rusty when we put him on and games are piling up, but attacking players are in the main the ones who are missing.’’