THE target for Hartlepool United to have some end of season excitement remains the same. Dave Challinor wants seven more wins from his side from their last 11 games.

After successive home victories, Pools now have testing back to back away games. They are at Boreham Wood tomorrow, then to go Solihull on Tuesday.

A healthy return from those games puts Pools in strong contention. A poor return and it’s back to square one when they take on Ebbsfleet at Victoria Park next weekend.

Amid the upturn in performances and outlook under Challinor, the manager admitted: “We might be more points behind where we want to be overall  – but the total I set I would take that now still and we aren’t going away from that. With 11 left we still need to win seven of them – a big ask, but one which is doable.

“We would be very disappointed if we got that target and didn’t get in the play-offs. At Fylde we got there with 70 points and then 84. This year it may well be a fraction lower, but I think around 70 is where we need to be and we have some way to go.

“We have momentum and a feel-good factor, but we have to ride that as best we can.’’

Pools are 11th on 50 points, with Notts County one point better off in occupying seventh spot, the last play-off position.

Tomorrow’s opposition are third, just five points ahead of Pools, with Solihull eighth with one point more.

Pools saw off Notts last weekend comfortably and Challinor added: “Saturday was a good day, it was enjoyable. It showed us in a good light in terms of stuff we worked on and it’s pleasing when you put stuff in place and it is carried out in games.

“You are reliant on players going out and carrying things out.

“There was stacks of positives and it put us in a good situation and results have gone for us and we go into two key games of significance in a good frame of mind. It’s about still raising the bar and the players are aware of that.

“There is a good feeling around the place right now. We have some momentum. You reinforce that message before last weekend’s game, an opportunity. Everything can be going well, a big crowd and it doesn’t happen and I’ve been there before. But last weekend we performed well and got a great result which builds that anticipation more.

“There will be bumps in the road and that could be falling behind in a game, not playing well, but we have confidence and belief and we have evidence we can compete with anyone. Sometimes you just need results to emphasise it more.’’

Pools head for London today with the same squad on duty from the weekend with no new injury concerns and none of the injured players ready for selection.