DARREN Williams can see the signs that Hartlepool United are getting things right.

Pool have stuttered into gear this season, but won their last game at Bristol City 11 days ago.

Now Williams, part of a back four which has kept consecutive clean sheets, expects better things.

Pool travel to Nottingham Forest on Saturday in confident mood after winning at Ashton Gate.

Williams, part of the Sunderland side that won 3-0 at the City Ground in 1998, admitted: "I think we would probably give ourselves six out of ten at the moment. We want to be eight and nine, but things are coming together and we will get to that level soon.

"We are working really hard on it. It's been a difficult start to the season for us all - not just the players and management, but the fans as well.''

Pool could keep faith with the 4-5-1 set-up that served them well last time and Williams added: "We set out in a way to keep it tight and we took three points. We've played better, more fluently, and not taken anything from some games.

"It was a different formation and we were confident going into the game. The manager put us through our paces and we put a lot of work into playing that way - it paid off.

"We've kept two clean sheets in a row, which as a defence is very pleasing.

"At Chesterfield we conceded three and I still say we defended well, but we were beaten by three good strikes.

"We didn't get troubled that day from behind. They never got in behind us, it was all from long range.

"The last two games have been the same, as a unit we haven't been turned and we have defended really well.

"With the two big lads in the middle doing their job, it makes things good for us.

"Dimi (Konstantopoulos, goalkeeper) was saying the other week how good it was to play behind a regular back four and I think we are starting to gel as a unit.

"There's always going to be the odd blip, but we are starting to show that we are getting it right.

"We know each other's game now and each individual is doing his job well.''

* Neill Collins, on loan at Pool from Sunderland, last night put through his own net for Scotland under 21 in their 3-0 defeat in Slovenia. Valter Birsa cut in from the left and fired towards goal, but Collins deflected the ball past wrong-footed goalkeeper Graeme Smith.

l Pool fans can save £2 on admission at the City Ground if they buy their tickets in advance from the Pool ticket office.

l Macclesfield could end Clyde Wijnhard's search for a new club after making an approach to take the striker on loan from Darlington.

Manager David Hodgson last night insisted that Wijnhard has played his last game for Darlington.

But, to allow the player to join another club, Hodgson has retained the 31-year-old's registration details.

After a serious repeated breach of club rules, Wijnhard was last week given 14 days to appeal against the termination of his Quakers contract.

But, with the transfer window closed until January, under FIFA regulations, a player whose contract has been terminated cannot join another club in that time.

In a similar case, Adam Proudlock was yesterday cleared to join Ipswich Town on loan from Sheffield Wednesday.

Proudlock was originally sacked by Wednesday, but after disciplinary action was suspended the player has been allowed to play out his contract at Portman Road.

The same will apply to Wijnhard, whose Quakers deal expires in January, with Macclesfield expected to hold further talks with the Dutchman today.

"In effect, Clyde has left the club, but technically he is still our player," explained Hodgson.

"We hold his registration details, which would therefore allow him to join another club on loan.

"I spoke to him today and everything is fine.

"Macclesfield have approached us to take him on loan and now it is up to Clyde."

Mansfield Town and Blackpool have also been linked with a move for the former Leeds striker, who was Quakers' leading scorer last season with 15 goals.

Hodgson has taken African winger Mohamed Saido on trial from Belgian side, Genk.

With Carlos Logan struggling to be fit for Saturday's trip to Bury, Hodgson's left-sided options are limited. Saido, 22, who plays on the left, will train with Quakers this week.

New signing Phil Stamp could feature for the first time at Gigg Lane, with Jonjo Dickman (stomach) and Anthony Peacock (struggling).

"We have a couple of doubts to contend with and Stampy will come into contention," said Hodgson.

"He still has some work to do, but he should be there or thereabouts."

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