AMID a club examination into the problems Hartlepool United are suffering at home, head coach Mick Wadsworth insists he maintains every faith in his players.

In Tuesday's match programme, chairman Ken Hodcroft wrote of the difficulties afflicting the team that has now lost seven successive games at Victoria Park, while on the other hand being solid and stout on their travels.

Pools went out and lost 1-0 to Preston and Hodcroft wrote: "The possible causes of our home form will be examined in details in the coming days - especially as we have no match on Saturday.''

However, when asked of the inquest into results and his own future, Wadsworth insisted: "I don't even think about it, why should I? It's out of my hands.

"You have to look at it in a positive light - it might be Ken saying to me 'what do you need, what can we do to help?'

"If these defeats had been spread out over the season we would be saying it isn't too bad and we are mid-table and still in striking distance.''

Tuesday's loss came against a Preston team without a win in 13 games and was Pools' second 1-0 home loss in four days after Yeovil won at Victoria Park.

"It's been a terrible run, I can't run away from that and I will take responsibility for that,'' said Wadsworth.

"But I think we will be okay and will come out of it, I really do.''

"I thought we played quite well at times and thought the performance was much better than what we've had.''

Neil Mellor scored the only goal, shooting low from distance. Pools have only scored one penalty at home during their miserable run and Wadsworth added: "We conceded a very poor goal again, which put us on the back foot again. It was a gift to them almost because with the momentum of the game they hadn't caused us too many problems.

"I think it was their first shot on goal and it went in.

"That side of it was alarming but I thought we responded very well and played some really good football in the second half.

"If we keep working like that and stick together we will come out of this difficult situation - I've got no doubt about that.

"It's a desperate run of results at home. Thankfully our away results have kept us in a reasonable situation but we have to get some players back and we need that."

Sam Collins and James Brown are both back in training this week and should be available for Pools next game, at Brentford a week on Saturday.