WHEN Craig Hignett was appointed Hartlepool United boss, the rookie manager described his initial impressions of his relationship with chairman Gary Coxall as “a perfect fit”.

Two months down the line, Hignett admits he couldn’t be happier with their understanding.

While leading Pools to a much improved run of results and performances on the pitch, Hignett is also shaping the club off it too.

New contracts last week were signed by Adam Bartlett, Trevor Carson and Lewis Hawkins, while young prospect Jack Blackford landed his first professional deal and yesterday young defender Josh Nearney agreed new terms.

There’s also the promise of more to come in the coming days and weeks.

Pools take on Accrington at Victoria Park tonight on the back of a four-game winning stretch at Victoria Park – nine years since they last managed that feat.

After working for the man widely regarded as one of the best chairman in football at Middlesbrough in Steve Gibson, Hignett is only too happy with what he’s seen of Coxall so far.

“The chairman has been different class – allowing me a free rein to do what I want and from the first time we met we hit it off,’’ he admitted.

“He lets me get on with it and sometimes, out of courtesy, I go to him and he says ‘I trust you with the football side 100 per cent, just get on with it’.

“I’d rather have a chairman like that and it’s brilliant for me in my first job.

“The last thing I want – the bane of any manager’s life – is a chairman saying you have to do this, should do that.

“The chairman has shown a lot of faith in me and this is only my first job as a manager. I’d like to repay him and would like to think I can.

“The backing I’ve had has been superb and if he gives me two million in the summer we will be OK!

“But my job now is to bring in the right players with the budget that I’ve got. I’ve a massive squad here and if I can trim it a bit and get less in but with better quality.

“They are all the things I need to sit down with and think about properly.’’

Coxall and JPNG took over at Victoria Park last June, taking over from IOR and Ken Hodcroft.

The chairman sees the club as a long-term project and allowing Hignett to get on with his job is proving a winning formula.

The manager said: “Getting new contracts to the lads is part of the process. We have options with some and I’m working my way through the core of the squad now and who I want to keep.

“Trev is a big part of that, and Barts as well and they deserve new contracts.

“On the back of that, there’s a pathway for the young kids with Jack signing on and being involved on Saturday.

“We may see a few more in the next week put pen to paper and we are really starting to look to next season.’’

Pools this morning sit in 16th spot in League Two, and enter their final four games of the season against teams who all have promotion or play-off aspirations.

But Pools are proving they capable of competing with anyone in League Two and Hignett’s 50 per cent win ratio is as good as anyone.

He admitted: “It’s all come about quicker than anticipated getting to this point. It’s all well and good having ideas and plans on how you want to play as a manager, but it’s about the players being able to go out there and do it.

“They’ve done that, I’ve nothing but praise for them, not only as team or 11 or 18 involved but as a squad and everyone involved has been different class.’’

Pools go to Oxford after today and, following the routine win over York on Saturday, Hignett admitted: “Accrington is one to look forward to – all against teams going for promotion. A good side, play cracking stuff and it’s a great game to enjoy.

“We didn’t look as sharp – I’d expect a level of performances.

“I’m thinking about changes for Tuesday, some deserve a chance but because of the run we are on, we are there now – done it all and I will have a look and see where we go.’’