FOLLOWING the difficulties of last season, Lewis Alessandra is looking forward to a better campaign ahead.

A move from Plymouth to Rochdale, to be back at his native Manchester, didn’t work out and he ended the term on loan at York, suffering relegation from the Football League.

With a move to Hartlepool United completed this week, the attacker joined up with his new team-mates for the first time on Thursday for pre-season training.

“It’s good to be here, a challenge I’m looking forward to. I met the manager a while ago and I appreciated the fact he drove over to meet me,’’ he admitted.

“I’m impressed with what he said and the signings he’s made, it’s a club on the up.

“The club’s had a couple of tough seasons, but speaking to the gaffer that’s not the case this time.

“I feel positive and I’m looking forward to getting going.’’

Alessandra is one of a number of positive attacking signings made by Hignett, alongside Padraig Amond (37 goals last season) and Nicky Deverdics (15 goals, 18 assists).

The 27-year-old netted 18 in two seasons at Plymouth and playing for York at Victoria Park last season gave him an insight into Pools’ methods.

He added: “Hartlepool were at the bottom at one time, before the gaffer took over they were in the mix and finishing 16th doesn’t give a true reflection on how the gaffer did.

“I played against Hartlepool for York and I was really impressed with how they played – they were by miles the better team and could have won more on the day.

“The gaffer comes across well and he drove to Manchester with Curtis (Fleming) to see me so that showed the desire to get me to come here, which was impressive.

“He’s signed some positive attacking players, the signings are good. As a manager you live and die by your signings and you hope that they will be a success here in the season to come.’’

He added: “I’m a forward thinking player, I run tirelessly, I like the ball at my feet and to try and create openings.

“I’d like to chip in with goals and assists and can play number nine or ten and I can play in the middle or either wing. I will give my best where I’m asked to play.

It was at Plymouth where he played alongside Nathan Thomas and former Pools defender Peter Hartley.

Both players offered positive advice when it came to making a decision this summer.

“I know Nathan from my time at Plymouth, I spoke to him after I met the gaffer and he only had good things to say,’’ he said.

“Nath being here was a big factor in me coming here and I know what a talent he is. It was all positive what he said.’’

York hinted they were keen to keep Alessandra after the drop, but nothing materialised and the lure of the Football League is stronger than the National League.

He added: “I had a couple of offers, but I want to stay in the north. I left Plymouth for geographical reasons, I want to be up here.

“The gaffer has his philosophy and he has impressed me.

“I know Padraig Amond and a few of the lads from playing against them. I’m good friends with Peter Hartley and sounded him out and I only got good feedback from him.

“The gaffer has said we will have a real good go, he’s told me the way he works and the way he operates and I hope we can do well.

“I moved to Rochdale last summer, but the season has been stop-start. If one manager doesn’t like you then another might and that’s just football and how it is.

“I accepted how it was and went to York to play games and I enjoyed the chance to play week in, week out again.

“It wasn’t the outcome we all wanted, but it happened.’’