WOODS: OURFANS JUST LOVE SEEINGUS SCRAP!

Pools have back-to-back home games in the next five days, starting with tonight’s crunch League Two clash with Crewe Alexandra.

While the results on the road remain as poor as ever – Saturday’s 2-1 loss at Colchester was the fifth in a row and number four under boss Dave Jones, the form at home has been better, Much better.

Pools are unbeaten in three fixtures at the Northern Gas & Power Stadium, including a 1-1 draw with Plymouth Argyle last time out.

There was passion on the pitch AND from the terraces as Pools fought the automatic promotion candidates every inch of the way.

Woods says the ‘marriage’ between players and fans will be a vital union to Pools in the last 13 matches of the season.

“It’s my third year here and I love the club,” said Woods, who has been displaying some great energy in the middle of midfield during the team’s improved run of form.

“But before I signed for Pools, Hartlepool was one of the fixtures you looked at as a player and thought ‘oh no, Hartlepool away’.

“It’s always been a difficult place to come.

“You saw that last Saturday against Plymouth that if the fans are on your side it’s a great ground for us – and bad for the opposition.

“If the supporters see you sticking your head in where it hurts they will back you 100%

“Going back to the Great Escape season, they really were our 12th man that year.

“The atmosphere at our last home game was up there and as good at the Vic as it has been in a while.

“The fans were brilliant, scoring a goal and taking an early-ish lead helped.”

But it was the way Pools scrapped which had the supporters cranking up the volume.

“I don’t think anyone could say that we didn’t leave everything out there,” said the 26-year-old.

“I think the fans liked what they saw.

“They will let you off with a bad pass, a mistake if they see you are fighting and the commitment is there.

“That’s what we have to do, fight.

“If we are to stay in the division you have to fight, it’s a simple as that.”

Tonight’s fixture, on paper at least, looks a winnable one.

The respective records of the two teams are remarkably similar.

Crewe have just one more win and one more draw than Pools and a home victory tonight would move Jones’s side to within a point of the Railwaymen.

While it is a crucial 22nd v 18th confrontation, Woods is quick to point out that there is still more than a quarter of the season remaining.

“There are still 39 points to play for,” said the ex-Chelsea midfielder.

“We’ll be positive going into the game.”

Woods has been impressed with Brad Walker’s form since filling the void left by the injury to Matthew Bates.

Walker had been in midfield but has starred at the heart of the defence for the last three games.

Woods had praise not just for Walker but for another young defender Liam Donnelly, who returned from injury at Colchester .

“Centre-half is an unlikely role for Brad but he’s been brilliant,” said Woods. “Liam gives us a bit of a nasty streak!”

Nice and nasty maybe? But the fans will love it.