Hartlepool United surival fight: Wins, not draws are a must

Lewis Alessandra sees a second half effort blocked at Colchester. Picture by Lawrence Smith/AHPIX.com

That was the observation of Lewis Alessandra as Pools prepare to take on Crewe Alexandra at the Northern Gas & Power Stadium (kick-off 7.45pm).

Pools have collected single points in their last two home matches, both of which ended in 1-1 draws with south-west outfits, Yeovil and Plymouth.

But Alessandra says a maximum haul would be most welcome against the 18th-placed Railwaymen.

“Crewe are in and around us in the table so it’s one we’ve got to be looking at winning,” said the 28-year-old who has performed well in a new midfield role.

“We don’t really want to be drawing games, it’s one we have to look to win.”

Alessandra has some experience of Football League relegation struggles, an unwanted one admittedly.

The forward was part of the York City side relegated 12 months ago, albeit on loan from Rochdale where he was having an unhappy time after being frozen out of the League One squad.

But he is “confident” history won’t repeat itself.

“I only joined them with 10 or 11 games to go,” he told SportMail.

“I knew the situation York were in but it was the issues at Rochdale and my need to get games which took me there.

“I tried to help them the best I could.

“It was unfortunate what happened, we couldn’t win any games, it was such a shame, the season sort of petered out.

“I think it’s about staying positive here, I’m fully confident in the lads.

“It’s all right saying that, it’s about putting points on the board and winning your home games and as quickly as possible so we are not left coming to the last couple of games looking over our shoulders.”

That is the last thing Pools want to be doing, but the signs in the last home match against Plymouth were good, drawing 1-1 with the promotion candidates.

Alessandra, who played well against his former club, was not sure whether it was a point won or two points dropped.

“You have to view it as a good point in one respect because of where Plymouth are in the table,” he said.

“But after the game I was a little bit disappointed by the result.

“You couldn’t do much about the goal, it was a great finish [from Matty Kennedy], but I felt like we dealt with them really well.

“So it felt like a case of two points dropped.”