Paul Murray openly admits he has yet to find his top form for Hartlepool United yet this season.

The central midfielder has made 11 starts this campaign and played his part in Pools' nine-game unbeaten run from the start of the season.

He has also started the last three in which Mick Wadsworth's side have suffered defeats.

And, with a trip to Chesterfield to come tomorrow, the 35-year-old accepts there is plenty of room for improvement - both personally and as a team.

"We need to get back to not conceding,'' he said. "We've gone from one of the best defensive teams to shipping six goals in two games.

"And that's not just the back four - it's what happens in front as well, so everyone's at fault.''

He candidly admitted: "I'm still not on top of my game as I'd like to be.

"If you ask a few of the lads I think they might say the same.

"I'm trying and I'm sure it will come. I don't know why I'm not playing how I'd like.

"I've been a good pro all these years and that's the same now.

"It's one of those things, you go through little bad spells and you have to get out of it yourself. I'm still enjoying it though and still running about and loving training every day.

"You look at Gareth Ainsworth for Wycombe last weekend, he's 38 and is still doing a good job for them.''

Murray's fellow midfielder Antony Sweeney won't play tomorrow after suffering a groin strain in last weekend's loss at home to Wycombe.

But Mick Wadsworth isn't expecting him to be on the sidelines for long.

Sweeeney missed four games with a similar problem earlier in the season, but could even be back for next week's Victoria Park double header with Tranmere and Charlton.

"Tony's still being assessed but it's not as bad as the last time," said Wadsworth.

"It's still got to settle down and we haven't put a time on it.

"But with Tony, because he's such an incredible healer, I wouldn't be surprised if he started training on Monday or even this Friday. You just never know with Tony because he's incredible in that respect.''