IT'S unlikely Hartlepool United have had a squad of players as strong as the current one.

And it's unlikely the club has ever figured as prominently in the expectation levels as Chris Turner's class of 2001 in the expectation levels either.

This is a big season for the club because after the heartache of back to back play-off defeats, fans will expect them to go one better this time.

It will be difficult; the division is a competitive one featuring clubs with big budgets and big aspirations - but Pool can now be bracketed among those.

And there is the small matter of finding the 20-odd goals that the departed Tommy Miller guaranteed each season.

But there is no-one more fiercely determined than Chris Turner to lead the club to bigger things. The biggest danger is losing one of football's most promising managers; plenty of higher division chairmen will have noted his achievements in his two seasons at Victoria Park and it cannot be much longer before the former Sunderland custodian is on his way up the ladder. Hopefully it will be with Pool.

There's no shouting from the rooftops of promotion, titles or play-offs, but Turner knows his squad is capable of big things.

Ater the disappointing nature of the Blackpool defeats at a time when Pool were tipped by many to make the grade, Turner quickly set his sights on the new season, targeting 'four quality players' in a bid to give his side a steely determination previously found wanting.

So in came Tommy Widdrington, Jon Bass and Ritchie Humphries, each with big game experience. Darrell Clarke has been brought in to provide goals from midfield, but if people are expecting the new Miller it's unfair to demand so much.

Turner can see the potential of Clarke and that is what he will be looking to nurture.

Widdrington will bring drive and steel to the midfield and his important role shouldn't be underestimated. He is a player who demands high standards of others.

Turner has brought the best out of his players and aims to get Humphries back towards the heights he reached as a youngster in the Sheffield Wednesday side.

With such a squad, can anyone really pick their best XI from Turner's squad? Previous Pool managers have had to make do with loan captures or youth team call-ups when injuries and suspensions dictate, but not Turner. There's big competition for every place, not only in the team but on the bench as well.

Some players are going to be disappointed - fingers crossed the fans aren't once again come May.

Read more about Hartlepool FC here.