LAST time around in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, Mick Wadsworth and Hartlepool United needed the game to get the previous one out of their system.

Tonight, as Bradford City visit Victoria Park, it’s a different story on the back of Saturday’s win at Plymouth.

When Northampton were the visitors last time, the caretaker boss was reeling from a 5-0 home loss to Sheffield Wednesday.

He will make changes for tonight’s 7pm kick-off. Last time out at home, Pools were beaten 4-0 by Carlisle United.

Peter Hartley is likely to remain in central defence after an impressive show at Home Park.

Wadsworth said: “I wasn’t going to mess about with the back four on Saturday after the way they have been away from home, but then they deserve to be messed about after Tuesday night against Carlisle.

“Then we lost Antony Sweeney through injury and I was a bit concerned about Plymouth’s height and defending set-plays, we needed a big guy in.

“Tuesday I will make one or two changes. In the last round we had to play that team to get the previous game out of their system. It’s a competition I’ve enjoyed some success in and it’s not to be scoffed at, with a place at Wembley there.’’ Hartley’s start was only his second of the campaign, coming after Rochdale on the opening day. Number three should arrive this evening.

And, with this being his first home appearance it gives him the chance to help put the home troubles to bed.

“It was important at Plymouth to bounce back from Tuesday’s game,’’ he said.

“You could tell the lads felt beaten up after the game and now we can hopefully put it behind us and really kick on.

“What do we put it down to?

I don’t know, really don’t know. Is it a mental thing? We are away from home and in a hotel together before away games and at home we are all apart – is that something we have to think about?

“When we get home form sorted we can go places as we look solid away.

“During the summer we put a lot of emphasis on the training ground on frustrating teams and making them run out of ideas. At home it’s up to us to make sure we take the game to the opposition and it leaves us a bit more open.

“Away from home we know we can sit in deep, stay solid and the chances will come. At home we have to be more open and go for it.’’