Hartlepool United v Notts County: Craig Hignett '˜when we win, we win together'

The new boss is hoping tonight will be a case of win together when Pools play host to Notts County in another critical League Two clash at Victoria Park (kick-off 7.45pm).

A victory tonight could, potentially, move Pools six or seven points clear of the dreaded drop zone.

And Hignett hopes a strong bond, not just between his players, but between team and fans can play a major difference.

“I thought it was a bit of a weird atmosphere on Saturday if I am being honest,” he said.

“The fans were brilliant and it was nearly a perfect start when we hit the bar on 30 seconds .

“There was more of a murmur than a roar.

“I wanted it to be ‘come on’ but it wasn’t and that’s understandable because of what has gone on.

“But I was pleased with the crowd. There were times of toil and we struggled for spells, but the fans stuck with the the players and never got on their backs.

“That support is going to be vital, I want them to be with us, I want us all together as a group.

“Sometimes we won’t play well I know that, but it won’t be for a lack of effort and I won’t stand for a lack of effort.

“On Saturday, everyone gave 100 per cent.”

“This is a team effort – when we win, we win together, when we lose, we lose together and that’s the way I want it.”

It would be wrong to say tonight is a perfect chance for ‌Pools – Notts County may be very up and down, but they are no mugs.

The Magpies were beaten 2-1 at relegation-threatened York on Saturday but they are a danger going forward – they had 16 shots at Bootham Crescent on Saturday.

Hignett was happy with Saturday’s 2-1 win over Yeovil – or 99 per cent of it until Pools conceded an injury-time goal to the Glovers.

The quality of football is important to the 46-year-old but points are too and it kept Pools four points bove the relegation places.

With Dagenham & Redbridge not in action this evening, Pools have the chance to widen the gap.

“Saturday gave us a bit of breathing space, a lift,” Hignett told SportMail.

“If we get another win [tonight] and we can maybe start looking up, instead of over our shoulders.

“But we aren’t getting complacent – it’s one win, one game and you have to take each game as it comes, especialy the run we’ve been on.

“It was nice to get that win against Yeovil and hopefully that will lift confidence.”

Hignett though will crack down on any lapses like the one which saw Pools concede a last-gasp goal to Francois Zoko on Saturday.

“The game was over at 2-0, they should not get a sniff, espwecially after they had gone down to 10 men,” he said

“I want to kill the game off, finish it and show professionalism.”