BRIAN HOWARD admits today's crunch clash at Victoria Park will prove to be the pivotal point in Town's rollercoaster of a campaign.

The midfielder views the next 90 minutes as 'the season' in terms of determining the club's short term destiny.

An away day triumph would bring the visitors to within two points of their hosts.

To the victor go the spoils, defeat will leave Howard to talk about merely 'finishing as high as we can'.

The 22-year-old, who is hoping for a recall to the side this afternoon, doesn't mince his words when it comes to analysing the importance of the fixture.

He said: "Saturday is 'the season' in a sense. It won't absolutely determine our fate but it will have a massive bearing.

"We know that a win will put things firmly in our hands. I don't want to think about the other possible outcome.

"Hartlepool must know we're coming up behind them and if we win then we're really cooking."

Town need to find added bite when it comes to 'crunch' fixtures with too many opportunities having been squandered already this year.

Howard sees today as the perfect chance to prove that Town can deliver when the pressure is on.

Howard said: "We have slipped up in some big games, especially the cup games but I think beating the likes of Hull City and Sheffield Wednesday shows we can rise to the occasion.

"A good start is crucial. We need to get at them and get their fans on their players' backs.

"I'm sure our fans who make the trek will get behind us and make loads of noise, just as they did last week. As the gaffer said, it's a massive lift."

Howard and his colleagues certainly can't complain about the preparation for today's match.

The team were put through their paces in the sparkling surroundings of Middlesbrough's training ground yesterday, courtesy of Malcolm Crosby, now Boro's reserve team boss.

Howard said: "It was great, different class.

"We don't complain about our training ground but it shows you how the other half live."