Craig Harrison wants performances AND results at Hartlepool United

The Pools boss has been delighted with the form of his side after shaking off a bad start to the season.

Since clinching the first win, at Guiseley at the end of August, Pools have lost only twice in 15 National League fixtures.

It is the sort of sequence which, if repeated, would surely have Pools there or thereabouts in the promotion race come the end of April.

Harrison has spoken about a manager’s desire to have a constant level of performance from players.

“Football is about consistency,” said the boss, who takes his team to one of the division’s most consistent operators today, Ebbsfleet.

“The higher you go the difference between the best and lower divisions is consistency.

“The best players play at eight or nine out of 10 every week and might have a 10 at times, the not-so-good players might have a five or six and then an eight.

“That’s the difference between pro-footballers and nonprofessionals. On one given day they could play as well as each other.

“But it’s about consistency of performance and you find that in this league as well.

“Look at the table and Wrexham are top, they are probably the most consistent side.

“They have the best defensive record and while they don’t score that many, they posses experience and consistency, they churn out results.”