JACK BALDWIN admits it’s time for Hartlepool United’s under-performers to take on board some stark words from the coaching staff.

Saturday’s home defeat to Crawley at Victoria Park left Pools six points shy of League One safety and positivity is scarce around the club.

Pools are at Bury tomorrow, the team bottom in League One.

And, in the aftermath of this reverse, Baldwin said: “Only hard work will get ourselves out of this position. It was a good strike for the goal, but we need a bit of luck, we need to stick together.

“We still create but that sharpness is lacking and other teams look dangerous and make us work at the back. We don’t have that threat inside their penalty area. It’s going to be hard for us. You have to give it everything.’’ And he revealed the words of player-coach Ritchie Humphreys stuck a chord on Saturday.

“Ritchie said ‘it’s about what’s underneath your shirt what counts’ – you can’t argue with that,’’ he said. “The coaching staff can only do so much, we need to show desire and passion and win ugly if we can.

“It will be tough but we need three points on Tuesday to make sure we are still within reach of getting out of this. If we get that one, then we can get a bit of momentum and spirits will lift.’’ Pools will still be without Andy Monkhouse for another three to four weeks, but Evan Horwood could come into contention tomorrow night.

Peter Hartley missed out on Saturday with a foot infection and Paul Murray has a slight calf tear, with both doubtful for tomorrow.

  • Pools have been drawn at Chesterfield in the first round of the FA Cup on Saturday, November 3.