NEW squad, new kit, new sponsors, new owners. All change at Hartlepool United and now it’s about keeping the momentum of last season.

Pools achieved the unachievable last season in keeping their Football League status, and it’s something they need to build on, both away from the pitch and on it.

A few seasons of malaise and struggle culminated in the Houdini act. Now it must never happen again.

Perhaps it was down to the lack of investment in the squad in recent years. Some say the downfall started with the sacking of Danny Wilson. That was back in 2008 although Pools have drifted since his exit.

Mick Wadsworth, a reluctant manager, had them second in League One after a win at Bournemouth in September 2011. Since then, it’s been a struggle.

Colin Cooper had grand plans for Pools, but academy footballers aren’t necessarily cut out for League Two and, with his summer recruitment leaving a lot to be desired 12 months ago, he walked away with Pools in a desperate state and a bleak outlook.

The club needed a spark, the sort of spark Pools didn’t have.

So in came Ronnie Moore. Straight-talking, wisecracker, manager since 1997, an individual with a point to prove after being sacked from his former job.

That he kept Pools up at the expense of his former club Tranmere was some achievement.

Moore kept the players believing. Four wins in a row in March got them off the bottom, out of the two relegation spots. Staying out of it proved tough, and they did it because Tranmere and Cheltenham were even worse than Pools.

Moore worked the loan market superbly last season – Aaron Tshibola, Rakish Bingham, David Mirfin, Ryan Bird, Jordan Hugill and even (thanks to a winner against Northampton) Marvin Morgan did a job.

Now it’s Moore’s squad, all his own players. Can they have the same impact? Pre-season hasn’t been encouraging defensively with some shocking displays at the back which need resolving.

Are Pools able to play 3-5-2? Does Moore have the widemen to play 4-4-2? There will be regular changes in formation in the weeks ahead as Pools tweak and change.

Expectations have risen and Pools will do well to meet them. Regularly last season, Moore and Pools cited Wycombe of what can be achieved after a season of struggle. That would be some achievement but surely Pools are too savvy now to repeat recent struggles.