Hartlepool Utd v Plymouth Argyle: Boss Dave Jones urges Pools supporters to keep the faith

Pools find themselves just two points above League Two’s relegation zone and faced with the challenge of putting the brakes on the kings of the road.

Plymouth Argyle come to the Northern Gas & Power Stadium tomorrow boasting an incredible away record of 10 wins and just 11 goals conceded in 14 trips.

But Jones has called for the Vic faithful to give his players every last decibel of support and get on the back of the Pilgrims as Pools look to pull off a shock victory.

The experienced manager wants to see the team continue the football they produced in defeat at Luton, but without giving a talented opposition a two-goal start.

“I’ve said it before but the fans here are brilliant, what they’ve had to go through,” Jones said.

“We need them to get behind the team tomorrow.

“They are only young players and that’s all we’ve got at the moment.

“They are great kids who are all desperate to do well.

“What I will say to the fans is get behind them and you will see a totally different side.

“Don’t get me wrong, whether they are kids or senior pros, we can’t do that first 15 minutes at Luton again.

“But I want us to continue what we did the other night.

“How we played there has filled the team with belief and I want us to go out there and go forward with confidence.

“We are at home, so let’s get out there and put on a show for the fans.”

If the players can feed off the positivity of Jones then they will have a chance, no matter how strong Derek Adams’ promotion favourites are away from home.

The manager reiterated his optimism that things will turn at Pools, hence his call to the supporters to stay with it.

“I wasn’t brought in because the club was doing well,” he said.

“It’s hard at the moment and the young lads have been put in a difficult position because of a lack of players.

“But I’m sure that they can come good.”

It will be asking a lot for them to come good tomorrow, given the level of opponent.

However, Jones is on the front foot and wants the players to be the same.

While hardly a veteran at the age of 26, Michael Woods is an old football head and the manager sees hom as a vital component of this side.

The former Chelsea youngster returned to the side at Kenilworth Road after injury and after an uncertain start, grew into the contest and played a full part in the side’s excellent second half.

“The experienced players have to take the lead, but the kids have to step up to the plate as well,” said Jones.

“I could not fault the lads the other night after the first 15 minutes.

“There was a lot to be proud of.”