Hartlepool United v Leyton Orient: Pools start run of six matches against top seven

Pools start a crucial – and exciting – period for the club tomorrow when they tackle Leyton Orient in front of the Sky Sports cameras (kick-off 12.15pm).

Moore’s side take on SIX of League Two’s top seven and face a potential FA Cup banana-skin live on the BBC next month at Salford City.

And the Pools boss knows it is time for the players to come good.

“We’ve four sides in the top seven to play, starting against Leyton Orient,” said Moore, who has strengthened his squad by signing Sunderland striker Mikael Mandron and Portsmouth winger Kal Naismith on loan.

“Then we have Salford in the FA Cup and after that two sides who are currently in the top three.

“It’s a massive, massive time for the club at the moment.

“Yes, there is the FA Cup game but there are precious league points at stake.”

After stuttering to victory over Cheltenham Town last Saturday in the FA Cup, Moore hopes Pools have turned a corner.

It was the first win at Victoria Park after eight defeats in league and cup.

And Moore hopes the appearance of the TV cameras inspires his players to their first League Two win at home since Newport County were beaten 1-0 on August 18.

“We won at home last weekend which put that to bed,” said Moore. “We knew it was being mentioned in the media.

“Now I know it will be about ‘you haven’t won a home league game since August’.

“We need to put that right to stitch that stat up.

“For tomorrow, let’s go and put that right, but it’s a really tough game.

“Leyton Orient are in a decent run of form at this present time and they have a great squad of players.”

Moore joked that he does not want a repeat of the last occasion he was live on the telly.

“The last time I was on TV live we got beaten 5-0 and I ended up getting the sack at Rotherham!” he laughed.

Moore wants his players to flourish and not show fear, despite the gravity of the task in front of them pre-Christmas.

“Look at the next seven games, six are against top seven sides not to mention Salford in the cup,” he said.

“These are the times I think you want to be a footballer, these are massive games.

“This is a chance to shift ourselves up the league and stay positive.”