Pools’ players believe in a title charge

Hartlepool United’s players believe Pools are still capable of winning the National League.

Boss Craig Harrison revealed his squad made the declaration this week ahead of tomorrow’s crucial match with Macclefield, having viewed last Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Ebbsfleet.

The dismal loss has added extra steel to the squad’s resolve before the showdown with the Silkmen (3pm).

“The good outcome from the meeting we had on Tuesday was that everyone in that room still thinks they can win the league,” said Harrison.

“Eight points off top is nothing, there are still 24 games left, still a lot of points to play for. You are hardly out of the race, are you with those figures?

“It was good to finish on a positive note. Everyone, every player and member of staff agreed that’s what we are there for, to try to win the league.

“It’s good to have selfbelief and a high aim.

“We’re only eight points from the top and on the flip side we are only four points off a play-off position.”

Harrison places great store on stats and he knows the figures he feels Pools will need if they are to compete for the promotion prizes. “We have a magic number where we want to be – over 70 points in this league is a play-off spot, 85 and more is probably top two and three,” he said.

“We’ll keep chipping away at where we want to be. In my mind, it’s not who we play, it’s about getting the points come May.”