Hartlepool United manager insists improving home form 'a massive, massive priority' ahead of Carlisle United clash
Hartlepool United manager Nicky Featherstone insists improving his side's form at Victoria Park is a "massive, massive priority" as Pools prepare to embark on a run of three successive home games.
Having come from two goals down to beat Solihull Moors 4-3 on Saturday and keep themselves within touching distance of the National League play-off places, Featherstone's side are gearing up for a potentially pivotal series of home games. Pools entertain rivals Carlisle United on Wednesday, so often a contest with a bit of an edge, before hosting relegation-threatened Sutton United as well as Halifax Town, one of their direct rivals for a coveted place in the top seven, next week.
If Pools can come through the next three matches with seven or even nine points, then Featherstone's side would propel themselves right into promotion contention but failure to capitalise on Saturday's comeback win could well condemn them to another season of mid-table mediocrity.
While Pools will, of course, be hoping to make the most of home advantage - a bumper crowd is expected for the midweek visit of Carlisle, who have sold out their entire away allocation - Victoria Park has not always been a happy hunting ground in recent years. Indeed, Pools have won just six of their 18 home games in all competitions this term and Featherstone admits his side have a lot of work to do if they're to turn Victoria Park into a fortress once again.
"We've got to take these opportunities now," the Pools boss said.
"Three home games, that should be a real incentive for us to go and put a run together and do well.
"It is one game at a time, but if we can put a run together over these next three games then that would help us in terms of getting to where we want to be.
"It's a massive, massive priority of mine to eventually turn this home form around and make it a really tough place to play. It's not a quick-fix, it's a process.
"We've won two of the last three games at home, so hopefully we can build on that. The last one (a 3-0 defeat to Aldershot Town) wasn't a great showing so we feel like we owe the fans and what better chance to try and get a win tomorrow (Wednesday) than against one of the top teams in the division."