RONNIE MOORE admits he has yet to decide on who will captain Hartlepool United in the coming season.

After last season’s skipper, Scott Flinders, departed for York, Moore has been looking at candidates in pre-season.

Striker Billy Paynter led the team in the 1-0 defeat to Chesterfield, and Michael Woods and Scott Harrison have both been mentioned as possibles.

Pools take on Morecambe at Victoria Park on the opening day and Moore said: “The players know what we want from them. We played some great stuff, had chances, but I’m happy – we know it’s going to take time to bed in, there’s more to come from the players.

“Once they bed in, and they are looking a lot more solid as a team, we will be OK. I’ve got to decide on a captain yet.

“It’s a difficult choice. We’ve got characters and talkers, but talking and leading are two different things.

“That’s a decision to be made late on.

“We are improving, we’ve had some strange results and we had to get better. They’ve taken on board what we want and we can adapt at times.’’

With ten new signings this summer, Moore has rebuilt the playing squad. He’s signed three goalkeepers and with first choice Trevor Carson missing out at the weekend with a toe injury, he was replaced by Adam Bartlett.

The former Gateshead stopper impressed and with Carson having an X-ray today on his injury, Bartlett could start the season in the side.

“Trevor is out injured and Adam did well,’’ said Moore. “It’s difficult to leave him out. Number one is injured, Adam’s come in and done nothing wrong. He’s took crosses when he’s needed to and done well in his area – it’s another decision and a headache I could do without!

“For the majority of this game, we were good – I can’t wait for Morecambe and neither can the others here.’’

Pools lost to a single goal by midfielder Sam Morsy, but their back line was more solid than of late and Moore was happy with the work out.

Paynter and Nicky Featherstone almost scored for Pools, both having chances to level after the 74th minute goal.

Hartlepool: Bartlett; Worley, Harrison, Bates; Duckworth, Magnay (Walker 83), Woods, Featherstone, Carroll; Paynter (Oates 84), Bingham (Fenwick 84). Subs: Nearney, Smith, Denton (gk)

Chesterfield: Lee; Talbot, Evatt, Ariyibi (Raglan 46), Jones; Banks (Onovwigun 84), Gardney, Morsy, Hird (Humphreys 84); Ebanks-Blake (Harrison 78) , O’Shea (Gnanduillet 77).