HARTLEPOOL United are in need of some inspiration at Victoria Park. They go into today's game with Yeovil on the back of five successive reverses in league and cup in front of their own fans.

Mick Wadsworth can't understand the manner in which his side can win five away games in League One this season and suffer so disappointingly at home.

It led to him quoting Winston Churchill during his pre-match press conference this week: "It's a mystery wrapped in an enigma, wrapped in a puzzle.''

And, after reeling off three off his other favourite Churchill quotes to the press, he reverted to football-manager speak.

"But it's (home form) not a mystery in that, by and large, we haven't stayed in games long enough.

"We've been chasing games too often and have leaked poor goals. That's been a bee in my bonnet for a number of weeks now

"Games become difficult then because you've seen how it is when we score first away from home, we're very hard to beat.

"You're not bothered about entertaining or playing open, expansive football because it's about winning away from home.

"And (at home) we've caught the other side of that, but we've done okay at times.''

And, amid a forensic examination into the contrasting fortunes, he added: "I've never experienced such extremes home and away and we have to ask ourselves. We look at everything - stats, teams, formations, players, opponents, everything.

"On most occasions it's down to, initially at least, not defending well and not staying in games long enough. It's been a real issue.

"We have taken measures to address that and be better prepared in that side. It's been a puzzle and we are scratching our heads - and some people are jumping up and down.

"But we try and come to a positive conclusion. Our away form means we are in contention to be in a good position, should we win the next two we are in the upper echelons on the of the table.''

Preston follow Yeovil to Victoria Park on Tuesday for a rearranged League One game.

Six points would put Pools right in the play-off mix

Last time at home they were knocked out of the FA Cup at home to Stevenage, goalkeeper Scott Flinders' sending-off in the opening minutes made it a tough task for Pools.

"I think against Stevenage we did well and, but for a very poor decision when we lost Scott, I think we would have won that game,'' said Wadsworth.

"That could have kickstarted our home form. But I think that performance carried over last week and hopefully we're on an upward curve.

"There's every indication that we're running back into form again and let's hope that is the case.

"Sometimes in adversity you get a fantastic reaction and I think we've had that.''

Yeovil boss Terry Skiverton admitted he isn't looking forward to the trip to the North-East, claiming: "There's nothing encouraging about going up there. It's not a great place for us to go.''

And Wadsworth, wary the opposition are in the relegation zone, admitted: "Yeovil have had a tough time of it, but that means nothing, those are the teams who work hard and you have to be on top of your games.

"We have to concentrate on how we press and hustle and the football then takes care of itself. We don't worry of them, we do our job right.

"We will be prepared and it's a good chance to kick on again. Take the whole season, the merits of the whole thing and where we are now then we would be pretty satisfied right now with the points with a game in hand not too far off the play-offs.

"We want to hang onto the coattails of the leading teams and we are in the position to do so.''

Pools have Peter Hartley available after his fifth yellow card of the season, picked up last weekend at Scunthorpe was given to Evan Horwood on mistaken identity.

"Peter is free to play, he's still on four bookings and treading on egg shells to a degree,'' said Wadsworth. "As a defender it's hard not to go through a season without bookings.

"He's on four and means his next legitimate booking means a suspension. He has to play with his brain and I'm sure he can.

"For that eventuality we get Sam (Collins) back asap - fir for Saturday? I'm not sure yet, but he's getting there.''