RONNIE MOORE, Wednesday, December 19 2014: “Survival this year, staying above that dotted line, and then I think there is going to be a lot of good things happening next season.

Comment: It's a whole new outlook in more ways than one at Victoria Park

“If I can help them with survival this season then I’m sure we will be pushing at the right end next season.’’

First job (miraculously) done, now for the second part.

When Moore arrived Pools were six points adrift at the foot of the Football League. A few weeks later they were ten short.

The Northern Echo: It was all about getting over and above the safety mark. And once they gave themselves a chance, the outlook changed.

Supporters started to believe, The Great Escape became a theme.

Now it’s a different outlook. Such was the relative success of last season, there’s a new view.

“Now we have to deal with expectation and we have to be wary. It’s gone from ‘we are going out of the league’ to ‘we are going to win the league’ – woosh !’’ said Moore.

“Well our aim, as a group and manager, has to be top seven. Top three? Brilliant.

“It’s not going to be easy, there’s teams with big budgets at our level, the likes of Cambridge have spent and made good signings, Luton, Portsmouth, there’s three and there’s only four more spots left.

“Wycombe showed how it can be done last season, going from staying up on the last day to the play-off final.’’

Moore has revamped the squad. It’s a whole new-look to Pools this season.

Last time out, he wanted to switch to 3-5-2, but could only do it when he landed David Mirfin on loan from Scunthorpe. His temporary arrival was vital, and Moore since has signed a number of defenders.

Pre-season and defensively, Pools started out a shambles, shipping goals for fun. There’s been a lot of work done with these players, but Moore seems set on playing with three at the back and they did look solid last weekend against Chesterfield.

“Last season we could change systems, but it was stretched. We have players who can play in different roles now and suit formations,’’ he mused.

“Look at Carl Magnay, he can play left, right, centre-half and as a holding midfielder.

“Jake Carroll is tremendously quick, athletic. Bings up top has pace. We have options of counter-attacking teams and we will be working on different systems in pre-season.

“You can’t be the same all season, you need to be able to adjust. I want the security of natural wingers, who can produce one in two, not one in six or seven. But wingers at all levels are inconsistent.

“We have signed a lot of players, but they have to be the right players and it can be hard to get so many to come in straight away and hit it off.’’

Moore has landed ten players. He knows football, knows his market inside out.

Last season he corrected the imbalance of the squad with a number of successful loan signings. It is hoped his eye for permanent recruits is as good as his temporary ones.

Moore, homing in on 1,000 games as a manager, said: “I do like the look of the group. We have experience in the right areas. Billy Paynter up top will do the job up top to link up play and he comes with something to prove.

“Bingham will get goals, he’s quick, but he’s one I think you have to keep on top of and keep encouraging.’’

But Pools aren’t the only club to revamp their squad. Big changes have been the norm and Moore can see why.

“A lot of teams have signed a lot of players - the teams who have needed it,’’ he said. “The ones at the top have brought quality in, look at Portsmouth, they have signed tried and trusted players who their manager knows.

“The bottom six or so from last season have looked and know they can’t allow it to continue. That’s why the turnaround has been so big.’’