THE early stages of football management, for Paul Murray at least, are proving somewhat busy.

As a new boss, a week into his position at Hartlepool United, Murray accepts the need to empower others, to spread the workload.

“It's been very difficult; I've not been sleeping much or eating,’’ he admitted. “I know I am going to have to delegate a few more jobs but when you come in you want to get your philosophy across. ‘’

A week on the training ground at the club’s Durham base has given Murray, and coach Willie Donachie, the chance to implement their philosophy.

“I always thought I'd make a good manager,’’ added the former Pools midfielder, who will today sign midfielder Nicky Featherstone. “I think I am a good man-manager, a people person but also when things need to be said I can say them.

“I have a good staff, Sam (Collins) has done a tremendous job while he had the caretaker role and Willie has a vast amount of knowledge.

“I will be passing a lot on to Willie once I get settled in but at this minute in time I am sort of hands on at everything really.’’

Appointed last Thursday, Murray had one coaching session with his squad on Friday, before Saturday’s game at Cambridge.

Defeat left them bottom of the Football League. Little wonder, ahead of tomorrow’s game at home to Newport County, he’s never had chance to relax.

“I think I've got through to the lads about my ethos and hopefully on Saturday we'll see that come into play,’’ he reflected.

“I made some changes last weekend, one in particular at half-time, bringing on Marlon (Harewood). We scored a good goal, probably six passes, and I was pleased with that.

“I watched the DVD back and thought first half we were not too bad defensively, we just were not good enough on the ball, we did not retain it or keep it moving, so I was disappointed we did not keep it better.

“That's something I am going to have to bring to the table

“To concede, naively, on 88 minutes from a long throw was disappointing. We probably thought 'we have a point here' but you don't until the final whistle goes - we have to be vigilant in our defending.’’

He added: “The lads have been good and responsive. It's difficult being bottom, looking up at all the teams above you.

“We've got to try to take things position by position, get out of the relegation zone, then set another little target and so on, but the morale has been good, the boys are having a bit of banter.’’

As well as landing Featherstone, Murray is working hard to boost his squad, and suffered a setback when one of his targets was pulled out of a deal by his parent club.

The Pools boss has enquired about Oliver McBurnie, a 19-year-old Bradford City striker, and fielded three trialists in Pools’ Durham Challenge Cup defeat at West Auckland in midweek.

Pools have struggled at home of late, Victoria Park has hardly been a bastion of invincibility, and Murray admitted: “We have to make it a fortress again. I was involved in that when I was a player.

“That's what I'm looking forward to doing. We definitely need players to add to the squad, especially in the 25-26 age bracket, players who know the game and we are addressing that at the minute.

“We may be might get some additions for the weekend. We must get the lads we already have here playing to a certain level but we also must make additions.

“I can have as many loan players as I want but I can only have five in my match-day squad, If I have to be ruthless and say to a player you are out of my match-day squad then I'll do that.’’

He added: “Get behind us - I'll give them something to shout about, that’s my aim. I'd like to think I did that as a player.

“The squad have ability to do that but they must show more consistency.’’

Featherstone is 26, has made 55 appearances for Walsall, signed for Scunthorpe on a short-term deal at the start of this season and has been playing for Harrogate Town in recent weeks.

He said: "After I left Scunthorpe, I went to get some games at Harrogate while I waited to get back into the league and (boss) Simon Weaver was great for me.

"I'm really pleased to be here, it's a great bunch of lads, and we're only thinking about getting a positive result on Saturday and progressing back up the table."

Ticket prices have been reduced to £10 and £5 for next Saturday’s FA Cup first round tie at home to East Thurrock United.