LIFE at Hartlepool United is proving a swift learning curve for Dave Jones on many different fronts.

Two weeks into his tenure as manager, and Jones has seen both the good and bad football side of things, while working tirelessly behind the scenes to change the culture and outlook of the football club.

Pools take on Yeovil at home tomorrow, with Jones putting more responsibility on his players for their actions.

He felt they lacked authority in last weekend’s 3-1 thumping at Newport, but feels it was symptomatic of what has gone on at the club in recent years; changing the mentality and outlook is high on his list of aims.

“Last week was a disappointment. I learned a lot about my players and we have to learn quick – we went from a great performance to one that wasn’t acceptable,’’ he admitted.

“The players know it and they will be given more responsibility to correct that.

“We are trying to cram a lot in during a short space of time – the way they train, the way they think, the way they work and we want it yesterday.

“We have saw the good, and the bad, and we try to eradicate the problems and make them stronger, and stronger mentally.

“Last weekend was about the physical side, but it was more of a mental block which has happened at the club many times over the years – go a goal behind and accept it.

“That’s what we have to change and if it’s been engrained in the club over the years, it’s not going to change overnight.

“We came in two weeks ago, took training, guided by Sam Collins and we will be for certain things for a while yet.

“We are trying to implement a way for the players to understand why we do things.’’

Pools made two loan signings in midweek on deadline day – Andrew Nelson from Sunderland and Louis Rooney from Plymouth.

The young strikers will be part of tomorrow’s squad and Jones, who will meet supporters at a sold-out fans’ forum at the club this evening, said: “We got two players in on loan, young lads and we didn’t get Louis until quite late on the night – Plymouth were playing and he was on the bench so we had to wait – and Andy from Sunderland comes highly recommended.

“It’s part of what we are trying to change, the recruitment. It has to be well planned and find the right player for your club.

“It’s one of the things I feel needs to be changed and we have a board meeting today in which we will progress these things.

“The first few weeks is always going to be about assessment and learning and discovering about the club and what is going on, we are finding it out and hopefully it falls into place.

“I’m learning every day, trying to cram it all in and still aiming for results – that’s what happens when you come into a club which has changed its manager and staff. What has gone on before isn’t my structure or my staff.

“I have to implement it quick and the sooner the players buy into it – and they seem to be enjoying it – then the better.’’

Pools sold Josh Laurent to Wigan in midweek for an undisclosed fee. The midfielder could debut for the Latics tonight and Jones admitted: “Josh leaving was financially a good move for the club, but you always want to keep your best players. When you are a club in this division and bigger clubs come calling it’s hard to keep them.

“You may not want to them to go, but heads can be turned and moving to a club two divisions above and they can earn more money then let them go. You can battle against them mentally as they want to go.

“I wish him all the best, I didn’t know him that long and I hope he does really well there. It shows in his time here that whatever people did with him was the right thing.

“We needed strikers and we are in a situation where we have to score goals, but we aren’t in a situation where we can cherry pick the best, as they cost the most money. We have to look and see what’s available.

“They are both highly recommended, so let’s get them in and see.’’

Former assistant manager Stephen Pears has returned to the club as part-time goalkeeping coach.