Pool chasing point to secure a play-off place

Pool make their first trip to the Aggborough Stadium knowing a point is enough to secure a top-seven place for the second season in a row.

And despite the uncertainty surrounding the upper echelons of Division Three, with the authorities set to administer Chesterfield's punishment next week, Pool boss Chris Turner has called on his players to concentrate on their own game.

"We know what we have to do,'' said Turner. "And that is win our last two games and then we will see what happens.

"The players are focused on these games and are determined to do well.

" It's going to be a vital game. We need the three points to guarantee our place in the play-offs and that is what we will be going there to do.

"Kidderminster were a difficult team to break down when we played them at home and they are on a good run at the moment.

"I certainly don't expect them to perform like a team with nothing to play for - Jan Molby certainly wouldn't stand for that.

"The players' target is to start the game like they did against Scunthorpe last Saturday.

"No team in this division could stand up to the kind of pressure we created last week and that is what we will be aiming to do again.''

If Pool win their remaining games, only Hull City can overtake Turner's side for fourth spot.

Hull take on Chesterfield at Boothferry Park this afternoon and tackle Southend on Tuesday - the day the FA will announce Chesterfield's fate.

Pool last week got back to winning ways after a three-game losing run.

And Turner was satsified his side put the triple reverse behind them to move back into fourth place in Division Three.

"At 1-0 you are always a little nervy, but I believe that if we have got something to hang on to the players have the characterto do so, even though people will always throw Mansfield and Cardiff at us.''

Defender James Sharp is back in contention this afternoon after recovering from a facial wound and is pushing Graeme Lee for a starting berth.

Lee made his first start of the season last Saturday and Turner said: "Spike was there to do a job on Steve Torpey and he did very well.''

Since taking on Kidderminster at Victoria Park last November, Pool have lost only four games.

Molby cited Pool as 'the worst team in the League' after his side slumped to a 3-1 Victoria Park defeat last November.

But this week he was busy singing the praises of Pool - and claimed Chris Turner was his manager of the year.

The former Liverpool schemer said: "They have had a fantastic season and it more or less kicked off around the time we went up there. I was very disappointed by the fact that we lost as we were 1-0 up at half-time and absolutely cruising.

"Then they hit us from two corners and a rebound from a penalty, but that started their good run and it's no coincidence that they are up there again.

"They are a good team and big and strong, so it will be another difficult game for us.

"But we have confidence at the moment and the lads are really enjoying it.''

And his right-hand man Gary Barnett added: "Tommy Miller has had another excellent season with goals from midfield and their players work hard for each other.''

Pool are facing a vital time with the play-offs looming large, but keeper Anthony Williams isn't worried about the coming weeks - because he believes Pool are good enough to come through the play-offs unscathed.

"Mathematically we are not there yet, it's one point or so we need,'' he said.

"Usually you want other results to go our way but I'm not too concerned about other games as long as we get in the play-offs.

"It doesn't matter where we finish, whether it's fourth or seventh, because we can beat anyone on our day.''

Pool have sold over 500 tickets for this afternoon's encounter with over 1,000 tickets available on the turnstiles.

Turner said: "The away support has been excellent all season and I'm sure there will be a tremendous atmosphere again.

"We already know that there will be at least 500 there and I'm sure that a lot more will pay on the day.

"It gives everyone at the club a tremendous lift when they see and hear the fans travelling in the numbers they have done this season and we will want to reward them with the three points.''

l Today's game marks Tommy Miller's 150th start for Pool since making his debut as a substitute at Chester on October 4, 1997.

Last Saturday's win over Scunthorpe was the 50th consecutive start for both Miller and defender Chris Westwood.

* Pool mascot H'Angus is on the racecard at Huntingdon next Tuesday after the 4.40 was named H'Angus the Monkey Handicap Steeplechase.

The Class E race, over three miles, is worth £6,000 to the winner and is the most valuable race on the card

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