THIS has been a summer of major change at Hartlepool United
A new boss, 13 player exits and 14 arrivals - there's a new look to Pools and a wave of optimism has swept around the town after Landon Smith's takeover earlier this year.
Now to translate that positivity into performances and points. Pools kick off their National League campaign at home to Barrow this afternoon (3pm), with boss Lee Clark desperate to get off to a good start in a campaign in which promotion is undoubtedly the aim.
There are no complaints from Clark at the squad that has been assembled. Anything but. The former Newcastle and Sunderland midfielder is thrilled with the recruitment efforts that has seen the likes of Jordan Hugill, Jack Nolan, Will Harris and plenty more arrive.
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Pools got off to a fast start in the window and momentum has built throughout the summer, with ex-Middlesbrough goalkeeper Nathan Fisher and Max Merrick from Chelsea recently arriving at Victoria Park to further strengthen the squad.
"We're delighted with the work we've done," said Clark.
"Like I said, we've been fortunate, the first day of pre-season, most of it was done. But sometimes you have to wait a little bit longer to get the right ones in and the case in point is obviously the goalkeeping position.
“I think everyone's seen in the last few games, what an unbelievable talent we have in young Max but that obviously had to wait a little bit longer, with Chelsea coming back a little bit later pre-season, and then Max being involved in the early part of their pre-season work. So it's about getting the right players, and we feel we've done that.”
There was positive news on the fitness front for Pools this week, with Clark revealing Luke Charman's knee injury isn't as bad as first feared.
Clark feared a particularly long lay-off but Charman is expected to be back in a couple of months.
The manager said: "It was probably the best news we could have got in terms of it. We always knew it was an MCL strain, but it's a low grade one.
"It's between six and eight weeks and he's already 10 days into that rehab, so that's great news for us, but more importantly for Luke, really positive for him. You know, because we did fear the worst at one stage."
Pools kick-off against a Barrow side looking to bounce back at the first time of asking after last season's relegation.
Clark said: “Barrow will provide a tough opening test. They’ve got good players, they’ll be coming here with confidence and we’ll have to be ready from the first whistle. That’s exactly the type of challenge you expect on the opening day of the season.
“Pre-season has given us a platform, but now it’s about taking that into competitive football."
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