Peter Hartley

By Charlie Summerbell
April 20 2011

What a change for Hartlepool United to be ending a season without the worry of relegation hanging over their heads … but boss Mick Wadsworth has still set his squad a fairly big target by aiming for 60 points by the end of the season – four games to go, six points to win.

Not impossible, but on recent form it’s not easy either because despite reaching safety weeks ago Pools have not been at their best.

The last four games start on Friday when Tranmere visit Victoria Park, but from then on it’s gets more difficult as Pools are at Southampton on Easter Monday, followed the next weekend by their last home game of the season against play-off campaigners Bournemouth then the last game at Charlton on May 7.

Tranmere are five points behind Pools and not sure of safety, but Southampton are going for the second automatic promotion spot behind south coast neighbours Brighton, Bournemouth are fighting to hold on to the final play-off place, while Charlton, like Pools, are on 54 points and destined to finish in mid-table.

Another six points from those four would be quite good going, but they will need to start by winning against Tranmere.

Wadsworth has already signed one new player for next season, Sunderland’s Nathan Luscombe, but more will follow.

He told the Northern Echo: “We can change quite a few things at the end of the season, I'm sure. That's what we have to do as a club and make the right decisions.

"We've got one in in Nathan and he's done well since he's been with us in training and reserve games. He's caught the eye for us playing for Sunderland. I think he is the right sort, a tough guy and a very good footballer, and more than anything he has been desperate to join Hartlepool United.

"That is a wonderful thing. Other clubs wanted him but we gave him a chance and I'm delighted with his attitude.

"The first of many? I hope so. We need a change around to supplement the squad and thin the squad - that's the name of the game at the end of the season.

"But we can't talk too much about that. The club policy is clear in that we don't get on with it and talk to players until May and I have to follow that club policy.''

And back-our man Peter Hartley strongly disputes any claim that Pools are easing up now they are safe. He said: "We're fighting for our livelihoods so we definitely are interested.

"There's only Evan Horwood and Andy Rafferty who aren't out of contract this summer. So everyone else has to keep working hard because we're playing for our futures.''

Meanwhile, there’s that 60-point target to aim for, and Wadsworth expects the squad to at least give it a go. As he and Hartley say, some have their contracts to play for, all of them have their livelihoods to play for, but they’ll have to show more determination and spirit than they did in last weekend’s drab defeat at Sheffield Wednesday.