DAVE JONES feels football is the same wherever you go. Which is why the manager, who boasts at CV dripping in Premier League and Championship experience, has no worries or concerns about working in League Two.

And that’s just why he’s enjoying life at Hartlepool United, where changing the outlook and culture on all aspects of the club is part of his role.

Three weeks into his new role, Jones is loving getting his hands dirty after a three-year sabbatical from front line management.

The structure may be different at Pools to what he’s used to, but the principles remain the same.

Before today’s trip to Mansfield he mused: “People ask me why Hartlepool? But why not. That’s my answer. If you are a football person then that’s your business and is it any different to when I was in the Premier League or Championship? No.

“I might have a plusher office, a comfier chair, a better pen but it’s still the same football. You are dealing with players just the same with the same problems.

“You train the players, and what a challenge here. We are a young team, let’s grow and develop together.

“Will experience help us – yes of course, but football is nothing different at any level. This is a project here and I’m here for that.

“The club wants change and I hope to deliver it, fingers crossed I hope we can.’’

Jones is seeing changes in his players during training each day and now he’s expecting them to change their outlook during games.

Signs of progress and change were evident last weekend. While Pools didn’t beat Yeovil, the way they played showed a different look to previously this season.

And Jones said: “Since we came in we have educated the players to what we are trying to go – it takes time, but all we ask they are doing.

“We are changing the way they play and it will benefit them and it takes time.

“We are seeing results in training, but ask the players if they feel any different. There’s a lot to do and we have games to play and the priority is to change things and get the points to make sure we move up the table.’’

Pools signed Louis Rooney from Plymouth and Andrew Nelson from Sunderland and both made impressive introductions last weekend.

Rooney three times went close to scoring, while Nelson set up Padraig Amond’s goal before conceding the penalty which pegged Pools back.

Jones said: “The two young lads came in last week and everyone will see Andrew gave the penalty away, but we see that other people should have engaged him to help him before he was turned. So tactically we will learn.

“As for debuts they could not be disappointed and it was a great ball for the goal.

“We have to manage the players and we don’t overload them with information, we have to see if they can take it on board.

“What we have seen and we are trying to figure out things and the players seem to be enthusiastic. Do they enjoy it and understand it? I hope so, but we as a staff see positives.

“We are trying to eradicate the negatives, but we aim for a shape and a formula we are happy with.’’

He added: “Changing the mentality here is part of the process. The best way is not just changing the culture, ask people here, I am relentless in asking for something I want. Then I get it and move onto something else – I just want it right.

“Timescales and restrictions are in place, but we push all the time and then aim for something better.

“If everyone buys into what you are doing then all the better. If I ask the staff if it’s right or they are enjoying the way we are going then it’s probably the wrong thing to do.

“If they say no, then I tell them this is what we are doing anyway! I’ve got 20 years as a manager so why not call upon that.’’

And, while Jones has Newcastle, Middlesbrough and Sunderland on his doorstep, approaching bigger clubs for advice and assistance has never been a problem.

“As a young coach at Stockport I had Sir Alex around the corner and I was always picking his brains, Kenny the same, to find out and then I could find out if it was right or wrong,’’ he said.

“I couldn’t do it all as I didn’t have their quality of player, but I could take part from it to implement.

“It’s the same here as part of the process, we are all learning and people need to know how we work.’’