This may sound a little odd for a side that has won three of the first four games in the present North One campaign – with everyone at Wood Terrace hoping the hiding at Hull was an aberration.

But those who have followed the Shieldsmen's fortunes will know just what he means.

In the trio of victories, against visitors Beverley and Middlesbrough and at Stockport last Saturday, they have scored 106 points, which is hardly bad going.

However, how many more they would have posted had each game not produced so many unforced errors is anybody's guess.

Big Nes and his Dunes Adventure Island-sponsored side have their sights firmly set on promotion to National Three (North) – which they have narrowly missed out on the past three seasons – and so it is hoped that those gaffes will not come home to haunt them in the final countdown.

He said: "We seem to be stuck in second gear, and it is important that we get out of it.

"We have played some very good rugby, but we must discipline ourselves to maintain it for the whole game, and not let ourselves down with silly mistakes.

"I suppose, in a strange sort of way, what has happened so far is encouraging – how good will we be when we do get things together?"

Life in recent years has been a roller-coaster ride for West Hartlepool, who come to town with two wins and two defeats behind them.

They rose to the dizzy heights of the Premiership, only to come tumbling in free fall down the divisions, and forced to sell their Brierton Lane ground to pay off debts incurred during those heady professional days.

During an itinerant period they were allowed to share bitter rivals Hartlepool Rovers' New Friarage ground for a season – causing stalwart supporters of both clubs to tear up their membership cards in protest.

But this proud club, which celebrated its 125th anniversary last year, was kept alive on a wing and a prayer by a faithful few, and a renaissance began in earnest when they were promoted as champions of North Two (East).

They have also a fine and permanent home, happily sharing facilities in partnership with the town's Sixth Form College – formerly the boys' grammar school – at its Brinkburn ground.

Having recruited quite extensively during the summer, with some former players returning to the fold, they now have a much-strengthened squad, and Nesbit is expecting a tough confrontation.

He said: "They seem to be on the up again, and will certainly not be overwhelmed by the prospect of coming to play us. In fact, they will be aiming to put down a marker for themselves.

"While we obviously like to know something of opponents' strengths and weaknesses, I am not big on worrying about them too much.

"We concentrate on ourselves, and at the moment that means making sure that what we do, we do right."

Issuing a plea to the Wood Terrace faithful for more of them to come along and cheer his side on, Nesbit said: "They can be pretty boisterous, and it gives us a real buzz to hear them willing us on."

* A sequel to the strange case of David Haswell being penalised at Stockport on Saturday for running into touch clutching the ball in what was known to be the last play of the game, which everyone in the ground apart from the referee regarded as a legitimate tactic.

With he and his teammates somewhat bewildered and unprepared, the home team – although well in arrears – scored and converted.

David revealed this week: "The referee came up to me after the game and admitted that he had got it wrong and apologised."

His captain was pragmatic, Nesbit saying: "When the same situation happens again, we will just boot the ball into touch."

* The match sponsor is Peter Maughan, of Beacon Electrical (NE) Ltd, and the match ball by rugby and cricket stalwart Ian McKenzie.