MICKY Barron has his sights set on the big boys. The Hartlepool United captain leads his team out tonight for the FA Cup first round replay with Southend desperate to maintain Pool's fine form.

After a 1-1 draw at Roots Hall on November 17, Mike Newell is making his home debut as Pool boss and Barron admitted: "It will be a special night for everyone.

"We know that if we win we are at home in the next round. Then the big boys come in, so we know just what we have to do.''

Tonight's victors entertain Bournemouth and following Saturday's win at Orient, Newell admitted: "Everyone loves the FA Cup and it would be nice to be in the competition on Wednesday."

Newell has admitted he has no plans to try and revamp the club, but wondered: "When you are top and playing well, you are always going have people looking at your players to see what is making them tick.

"But it's far better than coming to a club and trying to sort out problems. Whatever position you are in brings its own problems. But the chairman is very, very laid back about things. I've not been told I won't get anything. But I've never asked yet, so I don't know.

"Saturday was very pleasing, but now it's about moving forward. Things have been different for everyone, but I've had a lot of help from Martin Scott.

"Things are nerve-racking either as a manager or player making your debut, but now I can only get at them at half-time and let them know things.

"On Saturday I felt we played a lot better for 20 minutes in the second half, a little bit more relaxed.''

Defender Chris Westwood has been a mainstay in Pool's team this season and he is now looking forward to working under Newell.

"If it's not broken then don't fix it is the old chestnut, isn't it?'' he said. "We are top and must be doing something right, so we have to keep playing that way.

"It's a clean slate for everyone now. We first met on Thursday, but he only had a few words to say to the lads. Now he's got the first game out of the way, I'm sure we will start to see things his way."

Chairman Ken Hodcroft is looking for a big crowd tonight and said: "The fans have been tremendous to us this season, they have been right behind the team from the off. I hope they can see what we have done over the last five years since taking over.

"We have tried to bring the club on and take it forward. We have made a big decision in appointing Mike and we believe it is the right one and we ask the supporters to back us.''

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