Hartlepool United v Stevenage: Let's get at '˜em says Pools boss Ronnie Moore

Luke Hawkins on the attack against Exeter. Picture by FRANK REID

The Pools boss is never shy to insist there are “no easy games” in League Two and he is not wrong.

This evening’s 22nd v 19th match at the Vic is no gimme, to use golfing parlance.

But Stevenage arrive in town on the back of a sorry run of eight games without a win.

Borough dispensed with the services of high-profile manager Teddy Sheringham last week following a 2-1 defeat at basement club York and have put former head of youth Darren Sarll in charge.

The 32-year-old’s caretaker role began with a 1-0 home defeat to Crawley on Saturday and while he is looking to lift his troops, he has inherited a side struggling for confidence.

And Moore knows Pools cannot allow Borough to settle at the Vic this evening.

“I’m guessing they will be travelling up on the day so it’s up to us to get at them,” said the Pools boss.

“We must look to set the tempo and come out all guns blazing.

“We’ll be looking to get the ball in their half straight away, given the pace we have up top.

“I’ll be saying to the lads ‘let’s get at them’.”

Pools came out of the traps fast last time out against Exeter City but were unable to translate pressure into goals.

Moore will hope Pools can put that right tonight.

A win would not only move Pools up a place – Yeovil are level with them on 24 points but have a better goal difference – but would bring them within a point of tonight’s visitors.

Pools have FIVE Games in hand on Stevenage and three points would not only boost their own bid for safety, but drag Borough further into the dogfight.

“Stevenage could have gone seven points in front of us if they had won on Saturday,” said Moore.

“We now have a chance to claw them right back in if we beat them.”

Stevenage have extended the loan of Tottenham defender Connor Ogilvie for a further month and he will start tonight.

Sarll must decide whether to go again with Aaron O’Connor and Pat Hoban up front.

O’Connor joined the club on a permanent contact from Forest Green last week, while Hoban came in on a month’s loan from Oxford.

Fellow loan arrival Ryan Hedges came off the bench against Crawley having signed on a one-month deal from Swansea.