Pool boss sets points

With 13 games remaining, Pool lie in tenth spot in Division Three on 47 points, just four points out of the top seven as they aim to reach the end of season shake-up for the third campaign in a row.

Last season Blackpool's 72-point tally was enough for seventh spot, 12 months earlier Pool needed the same total to sneak in on the last day of the season.

And Turner, who believes a 20-point haul would give them the perfect platform to hit the top seven, said: "We need to be in the top ten at the end of this month - that has to be our target.

"Someone said to me in an interview on Thursday that the draw at Darlington leaves us just one defeat away from losing out on the play-offs this year.

"But I disagree. We've got 39 points to play for. Twenty points would give us 67, so in a way we could still lose five more games and still get in there.

"Last season Blackpool lost a lot of games, made the play-offs and were promoted. We were mathematically in there before the season ended, but I don't mind when we make it as long as we get in there.''

After three successive away games, Pool are glad to be back on home soil this afternoon against Southend.

Pool have been on form at home this season, netting 37 times at Victoria Park, with comprehensive wins over Torquay (4-1) and Rushden (5-1) in recent weeks.

"We've had three away games on the spin,'' said Turner. "It's very demanding on the players both physically and mentally. We travelled to Bristol Rovers then York and Darlington.

"The fixtures have not been too kind to us. It was a long time this season before we played back-to- back home games and when you do that and get six points it can put you right up the table early on.

"We've had three away last week and next week there's another two away games.''

And Turner added: "Playing in high-profile games like Darlington takes a bit more out of the players as well.

"It's nice to get back home and hopefully we can continue from where we left off.

"Only Manchester City have scored more goals at home than us and it's nice to be able to entertain your own fans.

"They are the supporters who keep the club going, coming along week in, week out and it's important we entertain them.

"In the last week we've taken over 2,000 to Darlington and York and that level of support is fantastic. People might say 'it's only down the road' but you still have to make the effort.''

Turner's three injury worries - Micky Barron, Chris Westwood and Mark Tinkler - have all been given the all-clear.

There were fears Tinkler had damaged a hamstring against Darlington, but Turner is delighted his midfielder is fit to face his former club.

He said: "He's been playing very well of late.

"He's got eight goals this season and when Tommy Widdrington has been missing there's a lot more responsibility in midfield but it hasn't affected him.

"He is a good professional and you know what sort of effort and performance you are going to get from him every week.''

Tinkler said: "Tommy is an experienced player in there and he's done ever so well before he was injured, but Ritchie Humphreys came in and did a good job. We just have to get on with it.''

Tuesday's leveller at Feethams was Tinkler's eighth goal of the season.

His previous best was five for York in 1997-98 and it is a stark contrast to the solitary goal he notched in 56 outings for Southend before his move to Pool in November 2000.

"It was great to score at Darlington - it was my first goal for three or four games. I've got eight this season, it's the most I've scored and I'm happy with that total.

"I scored one in the derby game at the start of the season but it meant nothing because we lost. It was nice to go to Feethams and get a point, but I thought we deserved all three.

"It was a tough game at times, but we played some good stuff. Obviously we want to win, but they are always difficult games.''

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