DAVE CHALLINOR hopes to get Hartlepool United back on track and believes an assault on the play-off places this season is achievable.

The new Pools boss was unveiled at a press conference at Victoria Park this afternoon, almost a week after his pending appointment was announced by the club.

Challinor and assistant boss Joe Parkinson will lead the team in Tuesday’s FA Cup tie at Yeovil, with Antony Sweeney confirmed as first-team coach.

After eight seasons in charge of Fylde, Challinor hopes to put his experience of this division to positive use.

“There’s no specific targets, but I wouldn’t come here and jump in if I didn’t think there was potential to be successful,’’ he insisted.

“In this league with Fylde two years ago we were 19th on Boxing Day having lost 4-1 at Tranmere – it turned around on New Year’s Day when we beat then 5-2 at home and ended up in the play-offs.

“With a quick assessment of the squad and if we do need to change it then the opportunity to do that is there, we can have a real push at it.

“It will be tough, but the nature of this league shows you can get in amongst it again.’’

Pools announced his impending appointment last Tuesday, while he still had issues to resolve with his former club Fylde.

Challinor has watched Pools’ last two games and admitted after leaving his former club he had a big career choice to make.

“I got a phone call the day after I left Fylde and I had a decision to make – where do I see myself going? Do I take a break after eight years at Fylde,’’ he reflected.

“It’s a job that rakes over your life and do I take a break or jump back in?

“Being honest, I would have had a break but you can’t dictate when opportunities will come about and this was one I wanted to explore.

“Thankfully, to the club, they were patient and we all hoped to be in sooner, but had things to resolve. It’s all done and we can get started.

“It’s a job we are really looking forward to.

“I think as a young manager – young-ish with experience – you look where things many take you.

“This division, you want to manage in the Football League and I said to the chairman and chief executive said the reality of it is that a lot of teams in the Football League are looking to stay in there and hold on, and there’s some really big clubs in this division.

“I would love to be at a club that has dropped a bit, but has the potential to get back there, improve and develop.

“That was the big draw for me.

“Going to Notts County proved it was the case – I was impressed on the pitch and the fans were amazing. Hopefully we can go some way to bringing back happy times here and get back where it belongs.’’