WHEREAS some footballers are not too partial to supporters aiming abuse at their side during a lacklustre home performance, Neill Collins' takes it all in his stride. After all, his shoulders are broader than most.

What's more, the Hartlepool United defender believes that if he was in the same position as those who pay to watch the fare currently on offer at Victoria Park he may well be offering a few choice words of his own.

Collins, on loan from Premiership neighbours Sunderland, has been one of the few bright lights in an otherwise gloomy start to a season which sees Pool languishing in the bottom four of League One.

This afternoon they face MK Dons, a team they put five past in the corresponding fixture last term. That victory made it four wins and two draws from the previous six games - 14 points from 18, 12 goals scored and three conceded - and a home League run which brought 11 wins and 31 goals from 13 matches and saw Pool fifth in the table.

How times have changed.

Martin Scott's men are yet to record a victory on home territory and are tied on 14 points with today's opponents with 13 games gone. With statistics like that there's no wonder the natives are getting a little restless.

"The fans are entitled to their opinion and I agree with it to a certain extent," said Collins, who is expected to partner Darren Williams at the centre of defence today in the absence of the suspended Micky Nelson.

"I'm a fan myself, I've been on the terraces shouting my opinion."

Despite this, Collins says he and his team-mates, who lest it be forgotten reached the play-off final last year only to lose 4-2 after extra-time to Sheffield Wednesday, are confident of turning things around.

"I never thought it would be easy when I came here, last year we did so well but it was still touch and go for getting into the play-offs," he said, referring to the fact that Pool secured their place on the last day of the season.

"But at the end of the day we are still on course to do that, there's only something like 13 games gone.

"You don't get promoted or in the play-offs at this time of year. I think we are just two or three wins away from the play-off places."

To do that they will have to turn the tide at Victoria Park and convert draws, of which there have been four, into victories.

"It's important we get our first home win - it's funny, I've never actually lost a home game, but we've still not won yet," said Collins. "That tells its own story."

Collins believes it is a shame that he and Nelson's partnership has come to an end, albeit temporarily, following the latter's sending off in last week's game at Nottingham Forest. But he believes that Williams, or whoever comes in in his place, can prove a more than adequate replacement.

"It's a big blow, me and Nelse were just starting to build a good partnership," Collins said.

"I think as games have gone by, we've got better and better and when he's back I hope we can continue that.

"But that's why we've got a big squad and it gives someone else a chance to come in and play for the jersey."

From a personal point of view, Collins is just happy to be playing regularly after having to watch much of Sunderland's progress back to the top flight from the sidelines.

"I'm up here until Christmas, then it's up to the clubs and myself to see what happens," he said.

"I've spoken to Mick McCarthy once or twice and he seems quite happy with how I'm doing.

"But I'm just concentrating on my football right now and not worrying about outside influences too much.

"I'm enjoying it, I've had a lot of games the past couple of months and it's been great.

"That's why I'm here, for the experience, and I'm certainly getting that.

"I was a wee bit unused to it last season at Sunderland, being on the bench and in the stand. It's not something I've been used to in my career.

"So to be in the side every week is great.

"At the moment I want to keep my place in the team and fight for it, because it's a big squad."

Whether he stays or goes, Collins believes his time at Victoria Park will prove invaluable for his future career prospects.

"I don't think there is anyone in football that doesn't still have to learn," he said. "I'm learning things all the time, it's hard to put my finger on anything specific where I need to improve, it's just a matter of getting experience."

That experience is coming thick and fast, and not just domestically.

Collins has been part of Rainer Bonhof's Scottish Under-21 squad seven times now, but having turned 22 in September is looking to progress onto the senior stage.

"That's me finished, I've got seven caps and I'm too old now," he said. "It's been great to get that under my belt, now hopefully I can go on and get into the full team."

A few more polished performances in the North-East certainly wouldn't harm his chances.

Read more about Hartlepool here.