HARTLEPOOL United kick off their League One campaign at home to Colchester United today, and Ritchie Humphreys could be forgiven for feeling the burden of expectation more than most.

As if being voted Hartlepool’s player of the season and player of the century wasn’t enough, the 30-year-old striker was this week appointed club captain.

But Humphreys refuses to be distracted from the job in hand, quickly identifying the reasons for last season’s disappointing mid-table finish.

“Northampton at home last season was a good example,”

he said.

“We were comfortable at 0- 0 and then conceded a late goal which cost us. We had too many games like that at home and away.

“We needed to be more consistent last season, instead we were average, and that’s why we finished 15th.

“And there’s no hiding from our away form, it wasn’t good enough,” added Humphreys, who hopes Pools can top last season’s total of four away wins and build a play-off promotion challenge.

“Our home form was as good as any. We scored lots of goals and had some entertaining games. We did OK, but there were also some games when we slipped up.”

The new club skipper is excited by the new faces Danny Wilson has brought to Victoria Park, in particular midfielders Ritchie Jones, from Manchester United, and Republic Of Ireland U21 international Alan Power, from Nottingham Forest.

“The new lads have looked good, I’ve been very impressed.

I’ve played with them a couple of times now and they have adapted well,” he said.

“Of course, they have both played a lot of reserve-team football in their careers to date and now they want to step up to first-team level.

“They both have good pedigree, good technique and young Ritchie Jones has been coached at the best club in the world, so he will have all the right habits drilled into him.

“You can see Alan has an eye for a pass and a liking for a strong tackle. He has shown some great passing.

“The boys played against him for the reserves last season and they said he stood out with his passing and he was all over the park in those games. I’m sure we will see the same in the new season.”

Humphreys reckons youthteam product Jonny Rowell is another one to look out for this season.

“He can come inside from wide into pockets of space and he has great ability in and around the box, we saw against Huddersfield what sort of talent he has. He has a swagger about him, a bit like James Brown, a good body swerve and is full of tricks and flicks,” said Humphreys.

“It’s going to be a tough league and it seems there has been a lot of money spent in this division with a lot of teams trying to get out of it.”

Among the division’s biggest spenders are today’s visitors, and Colchester manager Geraint Williams expects big things from a side who this time last year were lining up against Sheffield United in the Championship.

“The first target is to go up to Hartlepool, play well and come back with three points,”

said Williams who is without the suspended David Perkins and injured Pat Baldwin.