With MK Dons (home on 15th) Leeds (away on 22nd) and Bristol Rovers (home on 25th). The player's and management need to dig deep, it probably to early to say that the next 3 games will affect our league position, but it could. League games in December do seem easier on paper(if only football games were played on paper)

But those 3 games could see us either comfortable in mid table, challenging if take more points than would be expected, or sitting very close to the relegation zone.

Yes the games in December could mean moving back away from (if there) the relegation zone, but if we get in to the habit of losing, that may be the case (we lose) when we come up against teams who are in the relegation positions, resulting in us dropping into it.

To, be honest, even though 2 of the games are at home, I think a return of something like 3-4 points from them may not be to bad. Of course any extra will be, in my opinion a bonus.

We can match teams and the most likely outcome (Pools being Pools) is we will go to Elland Road and win. We always seem to do that when least expected. But if we do we need to ensure points from the other games.

For that reason the players need to get over yesterday's performance quickly, though they do have Brighton in the cup prior to the games mentioned. This may help them, on other hand it may well hinder them as if we draw the replay would be Tuesday 18th , sticking an extra game between Mk Dons and Leeds.

Players who have been out of the picture lately may well see themselves being called into action soon, as Im sure there are players who must be nearing a final booking and therefore a suspension soon. We are thin so its with that in mind that I say we need to dig deep, we have to cut out the dissent, (Kyle yesterday). Bookings like that are stupid, calling the referee will never make him change his decision, so more restraint needed as well.

We need at least 4 points in our next 3 games to push for playoffs and i carnt see us getting anything down at Leeds so Mk Dons and Bristol Rovers are huge games

Some of the teams in December look OK, but, that's on the assumption their form doesn't change ... Pools do have this dubious habit of helping teams end their bad runs.