MATTHEW BATES could afford a smile and a chuckle as he was asked about the state of Hartlepool United: “Last season seems a million miles away, it’s a different club. I took over in dire straits and now we are all looking forward.’’

The traumas of the 2017-18 campaign took a toll on all. That there’s a club to start the new season this afternoon – Pools travelled to Maidstone yesterday – should be a cause for celebration.

But Bates isn’t happy to sit back and be happy to be in business. He wants more. Appointed caretaker last season after the plans went awry on many different fronts, Bates now has the job for keeps.

A win at Tranmere on the final day of last season helped his cause no end.

Allowed to reshape the squad, making some astute signings along the summer along the way, means there’s a quiet confidence around the camp.

Pools had a summer of change last time around, but it was built on sand. Whatever was unfolding off the pitch was then reflected on it.

It took Craig Harrison six games to get a win from the off 12 months ago. Bates wants a swift start on the sam 4G surface that Pools won on back on Good Friday.

“Last year we didn’t get off to a good start, we need a better one,’’ he said. “I was looking at stats the other day and you would be surprised at how the winning teams start. I’m sure we will have a bad spell in there somewhere, but we want to start fast and we have worked hard.

“We will be fit, I’d be surprised if there’s any fitter sides in the league, but we won’t get too high or low with results.’’

With a competitive squad, Bates has a task to name his squad and side this afternoon.

It’s stark contrast to the end of last season when he was short on numbers, low on players. Keeping them all happy in the weeks ahead, starting today, might be an issue.

It’s one Bates is confident of dealing with, in the minimum of fuss.

"I might sound simple but you have to be honest with the players,’’ he said. "I need to speak to those who are not in the squad but that has to be done.

"If you start lying then they will come to you for an excuse in their own head. You need to be straight with them.

"Tell the players the truth - which is not what they always want to hear - they will not always come to see you. But that's the way to deal with it.

"I have experienced it both ways with managers. In any walk of life honesty counts for a lot. People respect honesty and that's the way I want to be.’’

Pools are under the radar when it comes to promotion predictions. Salford hog the headlines with their lavish outlook, but there’s a quiet confidence around Victoria Park that Pools can compete and make an impression.

“Success would mean challenging up there and if we are in with a shout of the play-off places then it’s been a very good season,’’ reflected Bates. “We have a very quick start in this league, the first two months are busy. We won’t get too carried away with wins and too down with losses.

“We will be level headed and stick with our aims which we hope will see us alright.

“I’ve had two caretaker spells, but I feel prepared. We wanted to work hard in pre-season and we have, we have a fully-fit squad which is rare in pre-season.

“There’s a good squad here capable of challenging and it’s up to me to get them on the pitch and keeping players happy. There’s a philosophy over how I want to play and there will be headaches along the way with a competitive squad, but I prefer that to last season when we were dragging youth players along who weren’t ready.’’

Today’s opponents have altered their squad since last seaosn, with ex-Pools midfielder Nicky Southall departing the coaching staff.

Bates said: “Saturday is the first of a lot of long trips to come, it’s how the division is. We get well looked after by the club, we prepare well and look at southern clubs who have to come to us.

“We prepare for Maidstone, but they have only been in pre-season too. We have had them watched, but it’s different. Now it’s about us not the opposition – 80 per cent us, 20 the opposition. If we get it right as a club and a team we can beat anyone, our philosophy is about us not the opposition.

“Later down the line we can look at clips and DVDs of set-plays and formations and the like.’’