IT'S almost 20 years since Hartlepool United had a start to the season anywhere near as successful as this one and Mick Wadsworth and co have re-introduced the feel-good factor to the club.

Not since Alan Murray's side went six games unbeaten at the start of the 1992-93 season have Pools enjoyed such a start. Last weekend's win at Carlisle, a third victory in a row, made it seven without loss this season - their best opening to a campaign.

With crowds doubled from last season, Pools are in good shape ahead of today's game with Bury.

Wadsworth, born in Barnsley, has engineered the on-field improvements and he appreciates the role the crowd have played.

"The fans make a huge difference, it really is a great place for us,'' he said. "Our home support last year was fantastic and it was a difficult season in a sense.

"To double the numbers and create the atmosphere they do is fabulous and they appreciate what we are trying to do.

"I try to be as honest and as open as I can. I've always been a working coach or manager and I've an enormous amount of pride in my work.

"I think I've done a decent job, and that's not blowing my own trumpet. All I ask for is a fair chance - I got that last year and I thank them for it.

"I don't fudge or try to masquerade behind platitudes. I might not be right, but I try to be honest, and I think the fans appreciate it.

"I've said before, Hartlepool is a town I can identify with. My background is similar. It's proud of it's heritage and parochial nature and identity.

"Barnsley is like that, a town that retains a specific and proud heritage.''

One of Pools' leading lights in recent seasons returns to Victoria Park today.

Bury are managed by Richard Barker, the striker signed in 2007 to help Danny Wilson's side to promotion.

He scored nine times in 18 starts in the second half of the 2006-07 season, including the winner at Wycombe to send Pools to promotion.

Barker led Bury to promotion last season, but they have lost their last six games in all competitions, including at Chesterfield in midweek.

"When they have lost six in a row and people start saying we've had a good start, they've had a bad one, it's dangerous,'' said Wadsworth.

"We guard against complacency and we appreciate how well Bury did last year. Alan Knill got them off to great start and Ritchie took it on.

"They did well to go up and they will be striving hard to make it better. They were unlucky the other night and could easily have drawn. They didn't give a bad performance and we have to be ready, but we always say it's what we do and how we prepare.

"I never worked with Richie Barker but he was a player I admired, a real good target, face-up player, of which there aren't too many now, who can hold up play, bring others into it and score themselves.

"I was always an admirer of him as a player. He has stepped into management maybe a bit earlier than he expected, but he did fantastically well to get Bury over the line last season.''

Sam Collins will start today after his second-half appearance at Carlisle, and Wadsworth said: "Evan Horwood won't be involved, he's not really trained yet and we don't have to rush them yet, which is a nice situation.

"Sam will start, I can say that much. He's a big player for us, club captain. He was disappointed not to start last week. He doesn't hide it either, but not in a nasty way.

"He is very supportive and was very good in the dressing room, he is highly professional, but you do know when a guy is not happy about not being in the team.

"But that's fine and how it should be. I've seen some players relieved not to be in the team and happy to pick up their money at the end of the month.

"We don't want those sort of people here and we haven't got any like that. With the squad fit it's coming together."