CARETAKER-MANAGER Micky Barron is considering adopting a more cautious approach as his Hartlepool side look to end their four-game losing streak this afternoon.

Pool go to Oldham Athletic on the back of a run of four defeats, two of which have come under Barron since he took on the job following the sacking of Mick Wadsworth at the start of December.

Barron has so far stuck to his philosophy of playing attacking football, playing 4-3-3 at Brentford and in last weekend’s home game against Colchester.

But he is now prepared to make tactical changes at Boundary Park, in an attempt to return to the strength and solidity that has served them well on the road so far this season.

While 14th-placed Pool’s home form has been shocking – they have lost their last eight games at Victoria Park in all competitions, and have picked up just eight points – away from home it has been a different story.

They have won five games and drawn three on their travels, giving them an away record that stands comparison with sides in League One’s top six.

And Barron wants to make sure that continues, as well as finding a way to replicate their away form on home soil.

He said: “We have to be aware of what Oldham can do.

“We have had them watched a few times and they have some dangerous players in wide areas and a lad on loan from Manchester City [Luca Scapuzzi] who plays in the hole.

“I think it’s wise that we look at our philosophy and see what is best for us this afternoon,because it’s important that when you go away from home that you are nice and solid and can stay in the game.”

Pool lost 4-0 at Boundary Park in February in a performance that infuriated Wadsworth, but Barron insists there will be no repeat today as he takes a new-look side across the Pennines.

He said: “Last year we played poorly there but some of the players we have now weren’t with us then and probably don’t even know what the score was.

“So I don’t really see that coming in to the equation – we have two away games coming up and we’ve done well so far on the road, so hopefully we can go and get two positive results.”

Barron will have Peter Hartley available again after the centre-back missed out on last weekend’s defeat against Colchester due to suspension. And defender Stephen Wright was hoping to shake off the Achilles problem that has kept him out of the last two games in time to play.

Meanwhile, Oldham are only one place and one point above Pool, and Latics boss Paul Dickov has warned his players to take nothing for granted.

“I watched the DVD [of Pool’s defeat against Colchester] and they played very well,” he said.

“They had a lot of possession and chances and, when you are on a bad run, sometimes things don’t go for you.

“Micky has brought in one or two young players who provided enthusiasm. Sometimes you need that spark to get positive results again and hopefully that won’t be today.

“People will look at Hartlepool’s home form but their away form is good.

“I know they were beaten at home by Colchester but sometimes, when you’re on a bit of a dodgy run, things don’t go for you.

“You need something to give you that spark, we’ll have to be on our guard.”

Oldham should have Kieran Lee, Paul Black and Jean-Yves M’Voto – all of whom missed last weekend’s draw at Charlton Athletic – back in contention.