Steven Pressley believes an early goal could see a positive result against Hartlepool...
Coventry City manager Steven Pressley believes an early goal could be pivotal as his side prepare to face Hartlepool United.
Despite a dominant display in midweek against Colchester United, City claimed a point from the 2-2 draw with Callum Wilson and Carl Baker netting second-half goals.
Gavin Massey put the U's ahead in the first-half in one of the away side's few attacks throughout the game.
Pressley believes an early goal against Hartlepool will settle any nerves at the Ricoh Arena.
The City boss said: "Our domination was incredible throughout the game and we carved out plenty of chances early on, but we couldn't take them.
"It would have been a different game if we took one of those chances. You don't always get what you deserve in football but more often than not, if you keep doing those things right, you will get rewarded.
"If we can cut out some of those fundamental mistakes, then we will give ourselves a good chance against Hartlepool.
"If we can take an early chance, then we will put ourselves in a strong position. If we put ourselves in front on Tuesday night, it would have been a different game and that has been a bit of the story behind the home form this season."
The Sky Blues manager will reunited with former Falkirk boss John Hughes at the weekend and he has praised the impact Hughes has had at Victoria Park.
He added: "People will look at their league position and maybe write them off coming into the game but since the turn of the year, they are a form team.
"They have only lost three games this year and John Hughes has come in at Hartlepool and really turned them around. It was a pretty desperate situation when he went there but with their form, they are really giving themselves a fighting chance.
"You look at the table and they have a chance of survival. When you come towards the end of the season and play teams who are fighting against relegation, these are extremely difficult games.
"I know John (Hughes) really well as he took me to Falkirk and I worked under him as a player. He is an extremely good coach who has had success wherever he has gone.
"They will try and play a certain way so we are under no illusions just how difficult this game will be."