JON-Paul McGovern believes Town can use the adversity of the last few months to their own gain - pointing to Leeds United as the perfect inspiration.

Dennis Wise's Whites have battled back from a 15-point deduction to race into League One promotion contention and McGovern is confident Town can follow in their footsteps by defying the odds.

Off-the-field financial worries, the departure of boss Paul Sturrock and a crippling unavailability list have seen the Robins crash to three successive league defeats.

But after clear-the-air talks held following Saturday's dismal defeat to Brighton and the return of a number of Town's walking wounded, McGovern is confident the tide can turn against Hartlepool on Saturday.

He said: "It is a time for us now. Just look at how Leeds have used everything that has gone against them. They have used it to push on. We have had a few strong words and there are a few really strong characters in the dressing room.

"There was a big clear-the-air chat after the game with all the boys. We said what we thought and the manager said his views and hopefully we can use that and bring in into Saturday.

"We need to show a bit of fight and bring on a good result."

McGovern played in Tuesday night's 2-0 Wiltshire Premier Shield semi final first leg win at Chippenham, his first start since the defeat at Carlisle earlier this month.

His delicious right wing cross created Andy Caton's headed opener and he is keeping his fingers firmly crossed he did enough to earn a first team recall.

"It was good to play," he said.

"It has been very frustrating for me. It is difficult when you are not playing and I am always trying to get back in the team.

"I would like to think I have kept my head down and just got on with it but you can't hide how frustrating it is. You want to be starting every game and hopefully I have put my case forward for Saturday.

"We are all back in the reckoning for Saturday. I have been available all the time but just not selected and that is up to the manager.

"I think I have got my assists up to eight or nine now so I am quite happy with that and hopefully I can kick on now."

With four games over the festive period, McGovern knows the importance of the next fortnight but insists Town have all the armoury to climb back towards the right end of the table.

He said: "It is a big few games coming up and if you look at the table it is still very tight.

"We have a game in hand and if we can win that and the next couple of games you are right back in the mix again.

"It is a tough league though and everyone can beat everyone. As I say if you lose a couple of games you are back down there. We will go into every game positive though and Saturday is a fresh day so we will see what happens.

"The fight was there at Southend but against Brighton I don't think there was enough of the boys who could say they gave 100 per cent.

"I think the fans can understand if you are not playing well but the performance just doesn't come.

"I would like to think they appreciate the effort.

"Okay you have lost the ball but you have got to fight and win it back. So hopefully on Saturday we can do more of that and get a win."