LUKE JAMES has enjoyed the attacking nature of Craig Hignett’s football before.

Back on loan at Hartlepool United from Peterborough in 2016, James wasn’t enjoying his football after his £500,000 move down the A1.

A few weeks under Hignett and the spark returned, James was able to enjoy regular football again. Ultimately it didn’t come to anything, James returned to Posh, Hignett was sacked ten months later and Pools then became a National League side.

Manager and player are reunited at Pools. It’s not about taking care of unfinished business, more a mission and desire to get Pools challenging and competing for promotion after years in the doldrums.

“There’s a positivity in the squad and I’m enjoying it, I feel everyone is,’’ said James, still only 24 and a striker who made his bow back in 2011.

“The manager wants to play attacking football, which can only benefit us all at the top end of the field.

“I played under the gaffer when I was on loan a few years ago. Some of the football we played on the front foot was frightening. You love playing in games like that when you can play with the freedom to get at teams and have a go.

“Listen, it’s looking good and we want it to continue.’’

James scored once for Pools on loan, taking a penalty as they thumped Morecambe, going two goals up after six minutes.

Hignett’s method of playing is positive. He wants to attack from all angles. Last time around he got the best out of Nathan Thomas in a front three, this time Luke Molyneux can follow suit.

“We had Nathan last time I was here and there’s a lot of similarities with Luke now,’’ reflected James. “They both like to play wide and get at the opposition and Luke has been positive since he came here.

“It comes from the gaffer and if you are running at your man and lose it, then try and win it back and go again and go again. It’s the right way to play for me!

“If you are going out with a negative outlook then it drags you down; act positive and it will all come together.’’

James is among a plethora of attacking options in the squad. Hignett has moved players out, added to what he had and more.

There’s characteristics in the squad which were absent during two seasons of toil in the division as Hignett addressed the clear deficiencies.

James added: “There’s options galore – we could field two strong teams in pre-season such is the strength in depth we have now and it can only be good for us all to fight for the shirt.

“Some of the signings have been really positive and it’s nice to see some of the lads who were here last season sign permanently. We know them and they know us already. Sometimes it can take time to get going but with Luke and Nicke (Kabamba) that’s not the case as they were with us last season.

“All the signings have been top-drawer and we have a strong squad now.’’

Pools start tomorrow against Sutton at the Super 6 Stadium, before going to Halifax on Tuesday. It’s a busy start all round and James, who spent half a season on loan at Barrow before returning to Pools 12 months ago knows just what to expect.

He said: “We know the league, it’s tough, it’s physical with games Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday-Tuesday for the first month of the season. You are chucked straight into it, but we have the squad to combat that.

“The manager has made signings to bring things to the squad we didn’t have and, most importantly, we have added quality to the squad. The better players through the door, the better the performances each week.

“Gus (Mafuta) has a winning mentality – we saw that in training from the off and we all saw what he did for Salford last season when they played us in the last game. He’s big and strong. There’s no better feeling than winning games, and we have a lot of winners in the squad.’’

“We look a real threat going forward and the gaffer, as an attacker himself, just wants us to attack – midfielders, forwards as one and score as many as possible.

“There’s so much competition in the squad and sometimes pre-season can be slow, but the numbers here now means you can’t ease up and everyone has to fight for their place.

“There’s a good outlook around the place, it feels positive with a buzz around the place and competition for places which means we all have to give it 100 per cent.