Hartlepool boss Ronnie Moore urges Pools fans to keep faith ahead of Plymouth Argyle clash

There were boos at half-time and the final whistle in Tuesday night’s FA Cup replay with Salford City – thankfully there was scope for cheering in extra-time as Pools “got out of jail” thanks to goals by Scott Fenwick and sub Mikael Mandron.

Moore admitted if he’d have been stood on the Mill House Terrace, he’d have had a go too, but the boss insists fans can play their part against Plymouth Argyle tomorrow (kick-off 3pm).

“We’re not firing on all cylinders but we’ll get it right, we need the crowd to hang in there with us,” Moore told SportMail. “If we can light that blue touch paper and get the crowd behind us.

“We had boos at half-time and more at the end of 90 minutes because the fans don’t think we’ve given enough.

“We hadn’t and all we can do to get the supporters back on our side is by getting out there and showing them what we can do and how determined we are to win.

“If I had paid my money and been stood there, I’d have booed!

“It looked as if we were the non-league side, not Salford.

“All the crowd want is honesty and commitment. It’s about rolling our sleeves up and giving it everything.”

Moore says Pools will probably look to adopt a more up-and-at-’em style against the League two promotion favourites at Victoria Park.

“We’re not scoring and we’re low on confidence,” said Moore. “So we may need to change the way we want to play.

“Let’s get the ball in their half and let’s get at them, harry them, put them under pressure.

“That’s probably what the crowd want to see.

“I don’t think any of the players are not trying. There are no bad ‘uns in this group, may be one or two last season, but not now.

“Sometimes I think it’s body language and fans pick up on that.

“Aside from the goals, the biggest cheer the other night was when Scotty Fenwick ran 30/40 yards to rattle their right-back.

“Fans want to see desire, passion, commitment, whatever you want to call it.”

Moore’s sense of humour or enthusiasm has not been damaged by some difficult nights and afternoons and made light of one of the most bizarre excuses of the season.

Plymouth boss Derek Adams blamed “algae on the pitch” after a late slip by Hartlepool-born defender Peter Hartley gifted Cambridge a 2-1 victory at Home Park last Saturday.

Moore has no issues about the Vic.

“There has been a lot of crap on it,” he joked, “I’m not sure about algae!

“It’s up to us to go out and put it right. We’ve not played to our potential and we have to go out and perform like we now we can.

“I love this job and have loved it for the last 20 years and the 20 years before that I loved playing.

“If you are a footballer who doesn’t like coming to work then you shouldn’t be here.

“I’ll be saying to the lads ‘enjoy being a footballer and show the fans what you can do’.”