HARTLEPOOL caretaker-boss Micky Barron has urged his struggling team to be more positive ahead of today’s home clash against Colchester United.

Barron stepped into the managerial hot-seat on a temporary basis over a week ago following the sacking of previous incumbent Mick Wadsworth.

Despite a flying start to the season, a dire run of form – especially at Victoria Park – saw Pool drop down the table and contributed to Wadsworth’s departure.

Barron now has the task of boosting morale and has sent out the message to his players to be in a more upbeat frame of mind as they aim to get back to winning ways.

He said: “We have done a lot of good work this week.

“We have had to try and lift them because we have had bad results at The Vic recently, so we have to make sure come Saturday they all want the ball, they all want to create things and they all work hard for each other.

“It is important we try something and we are nice and positive in our beliefs - we want to try and attack and get people forward at the right times.

“The work has been focused on the attacking play this week.

“Colchester have big players in the centre of the pitch so if we just try and get the ball up to them as quickly as possible they will deal with it.

“We have to be a little bit more clever and we are giving the players a licence and a bit of freedom, so hopefully which gives them the encouragement to create chances and take them.”

Barron has also attempted to rally the fans by asking they return to Victoria Park in big numbers to play their part in roaring on a team who have had seven successive home defeats.

He added: “We want the fans to come along and see some good football.

“They have to be patient, as they have been this season, and if we are playing a different type of football then I would say just give us the time to get in to the game.

“I would like them to get behind us, work with us to help us get the first goal, the second and then the win.”