“ANGRY” Mick Wadsworth has demanded a “massive response” from Hartlepool United this afternoon – and he believes League One leaders Charlton Athletic are the ideal opponents to inspire it.

The Teessiders ended a three-match losing streak on their first visit to Chesterfield’s new home on Saturday.

However, their good work was undone by a midweek defeat at home to Tranmere Rovers.

Now a furious Wadsworth admits he is “desperate” for victory at the Vic.

He said: “We need a massive response and I am sure we will have that.

“I was angry for our supporters and for us as a group on Tuesday because we let ourselves down.

“If you want to win a game – and we are desperate for a win at home – then what better way to get it than to beat the team at the top of the league?

“We did it last season when we defeated Brighton and we won at Huddersfield when they were riding high so we need to do it again this year. We have to be at our best and if we are I will back us to beat anyone in the division.”

They will not be at their strongest, with Nolberto Solano (hamstring), Antony Sweeney (groin) and Colin Larkin (knee) all injured.

Despite a massive improvement in attendances this season, courtesy of a cut-price season-ticket offer, Hartlepool have lost their last three home games – marring an extremely positive start.

Pool began in the play-off places and Wadsworth has challenged them to strive for such heights again.

He added: “The question is this, do you want to be part of something special or do you want to have another season where we do OK?

“We finish eighth, 11th or 14th and everyone says, ‘Well done little old Hartlepool’.

“We will go away for a few days to Benidorm then come back, go to Holland and start the cycle again.

“I don’t want that, that is not for me – I want us to be better than that.

“We have done some great things at this club over the past year.

“We have come on a ton and that is at all levels – the youth programme, training, the season tickets, everything. That work has to continue because we are building a club and we are not going to throw it all away.

“I want it to be a season for us to remember and, at the very least, let’s try to get in the play-offs.

“If we cannot let’s get as near as we can and have a good go.”

Hartlepool have turned down approaches from Conference sides Gateshead and Darlington to take fit-again youngster James Brown on loan.

Brown and fellow striker Adam Boyd came off the bench to good effect against Tranmere and will be hoping their reward is a starting berth.

Also pushing for a place is fellow striker Colin Nish, an unused substitute.