AMID the most positive of openings to the new season, Hartlepool United won’t be changing a thing. Outlook, mentality, training, preparation under Matthew Bates will remain the same.

Bates has confidence in his methods, happy his outlook – different to last season’s caretaker spell in charge – is a successful one.

During his stint in temporary charge, Bates had few options to pick from. This time around he has a solid and competitive squad in place, which allows him to focus on what his team is capable of doing rather than concerning themselves with the opposition.

Pools have done their homework on today’s opponents Eastleigh, like they would with every team they face.

It’s five wins and one defeat in ten this season so far for Pools, that coming at the Super Six Stadium when Ebbsfleet won 1-0 on August 11.

Bates explained: “We have done well, but I would like to be able to relax and sit down in a game at being three-up. But if we can keep winning 1-0 each week, I will take it all day long. Let’s not get carried away, there’s no right to win games, but we will keep doing what we are doing and hope it carries on.

“Eastleigh have been a bit hit and miss this season and they have had results which they probably didn’t deserve, but will take confidence form last week. They haven’t’ scored many goals of late, but I’m sure they are working on it.

“I’ve said before – I hate repeating myself – but if we are on song and perform we can beat anyone at this level.

“Some managers like to focus on the opposition and last season we had to do that when I was in charge at the end. We had a small squad and few options so it was about counteracting the opposition if you like.

“I’ve said before about consistency at this level and if we can keep the consistent nature of the squad then we can compete and beat most teams. We concentrate on ourselves, but when things need to be said about the opposition we will when necessary.

“For me, it’s about our mentality and what we do.’’

Pools have won five of their last six games, victories coming after Bates moved from to a 3-5-2 set-up from a 3-4-3 formation.

Striker Jake Cassidy has been a casualty of the system, as Bates opted for an extra midfielder alongside Liam Noble and Nicky Featherstone, who have flourished in the formation.

Bates added: “Things are going well – a good start with one defeat in ten games. The message to the players remains the same, it always has.

“Every week we give them the same message, all the buzzwords we use. They might be sick of hearing it, but we are in a good run because of the fundamentals of doing well.’’

The crowd were enthralled by the Bank Holiday Monday win over Chesterfield, but away form has been more positive than at home.

But Bates has impressed all with his outlook this season.

He said: “Every manager has doubters – with years of experience or six months like myself. Look at Mourinho at the moment, world class, and he as people doubting him at the moment. I’m only six months into it and I just get on with what I am doing. I have faith in my own ability, but this is just the start of my managerial career.

“It’s enjoyable right now, but it’s hard to enjoy it. Games and training is incessant. There’s a lot of midweek games and as soon as one game finishes you are looking to the next one.

“It’s hard to feel comfortable about things.

“It’s only a start and I’ve said before that things can turn quickly, especially at this level, so we just do the same things day by day.’’