HARTLEPOOL United's season is following a familiar path - and hot-shot Tommy Miller has no complaints.

Pool are enjoying another pre-Christmas purple patch as they make another push for the play-offs and Miller, who has netted ten goals from midfield this season, couldn't be happier.

Miller is on course to beat last season's haul of 16 goals, a total that included a hat-trick against Barnet, and as Pool prepare to entertain the Londoners this afternoon, Miller is hungry for more.

Last season he was sailing away at the top of Pool's scoring charts, but this time around he has nine-goal Kevin Henderson on his tail.

"I'm pleased with my total again,'' he confessed. "I've got a few penalties in there as well, but I'm still scoring, which is the pleasing thing, and it proves to people that last season wasn't a one-off.

"I've played a few more games than Hendo, but as long as we are still winning it doesn't matter who scores the most. It's nice to have two players scoring regularly.

"Things are going very well for us now. I had a bit of a slow start to the season, but it was just like last year when I didn't score in pre-season and then I had a bit of a slow start. But you only need one goal and you are away.''

Miller has forged a potent midfield partnership with Paul Stephenson and new recruit Mark Tinkler in recent weeks and is full of praise for the former York man who arrived on a free transfer from Southend last month.

"Tinks has been a great signing for us,'' he admitted. "He can pass it about well, he gets stuck in and is only 25 or 26, so he can be around for a few years yet.

"Since he came, Stevo has been able to get forward more and it is good for me to know there is someone like him behind me when I go forward.''

Miller wasn't on the scoresheet in last week's triumph at Halifax, but his presence led to Lee Butler's slip up that allowed Craig Midgley to net the winner.

"To be honest, I didn't know much about it,'' he confessed. "I just heard a big roar from behind the goal, so I knew we must have scored.

"I jumped up with the keeper for the ball and he punched me in the cheek and I was laid out on the pitch when Midge scored - but it was worth it!''

Pool are likely to stick with the side that triumphed at The Shay. James Sharp will keep his place ahead of Gary Strodder, who is now free from suspension.

Barnet have Tony Cottee in charge and after six goals in as many games, West knows the danger posed by the former England front-man.

"Hopefully the fans will come out in force and I would think that someone like Tony Cottee can attract supporters,'' said West.

"He has a great scoring record and we have to keep an eye on him. It is a great test for the lads at the back - James Sharp, Micky Barron and Chris Westwood will have to put the shackles on him.

"Cottee is a real sniffer around the area. Give him a chance and he doesn't miss many. But we have told the lads that they are not a one-man team, there are other players who are a danger.''

Pool are unlikely to man-mark Cottee, but have the option of using Westwood in that role.

Last season, a run of four wins over the festive period propelled Pool into the play-off zone and West admitted: "I think the players are talking among themselves about the run we are having at the moment and how it is a little bit like last year.

"It hasn't been coming from me or Chris, but we are having another decent run at the same time of the season and obviously, the lads gain confidence from it.

"We have done reasonably well of late, but we always said that we would be judged properly when all the players were fit and available.

"Some people want immediate success, especially after what happened last season, and now we have competition for places throughout the squad players are kept on their toes.'