Colin West knows from first-hand experience how difficult the challenge will be for Pools when they travel to in-form Southend United on Friday night (7.45pm kick-off).

The 46-year-old left a coaching role at Roots Hall to return to Pools last month and admits that Steve Tilson is doing a good job with the Essex outfit.

"I enjoyed my time there a lot," he told us.

"They're a good footballing side and there is no doubt they'll be ready for us on Friday so we'll have to be on our game from the off.

"Southend have a good catchment area there in terms of picking up players from the bigger club, the likes of Chelsea and Tottenham and they have done that well in recent seasons.

"They've got good stability at the Club too with Steve Tilson having been there a number of years and that helps the players - when you go through a sticky spell you know that the Chairman and the Manager are solid and they will stay strong.

"It's a good club and I wish them well but we want to put on a good performance and get a positive result on Friday."

Pools have struggled on the road again this season but West says he has seen enough so far to suggest they can get something from Friday's game.

"I can only talk about what's happened since I got here," he commented.

"And I have to say that, Cheltenham apart, our away performances have been good - we picked up a win at Swindon and put in quite good performances at Colchester and MK Dons as well.

"We want another strong display in this game and hopefully we will come away with a good result."