Plenty of Positives To Take For New Pools Manager

Pools lost 1-0 to Scottish side St Johnstone but the new boss said it was far from a bad result.

“I wanted us to be tested and we certainly were,” he said to the club’s official website.

“That was a proper game; they finished fourth in the Scottish Premiership last season and a week ago they beat Sunderland 3-0 here so we’ve done really well.

“It wasn’t like a pre-season game, there were tackles and it was competitive so I am really happy with the way it went for us.

“We made six or seven subs in the second half and brought young lads on who came on and did really well even though they haven’t played a lot of first team football.

“In the second half we had a few chances; Podge has got in and had a couple of opportunities through his tenacity and the keeper made a great save from Nicky Deverdics free-kick.

“Overall though, there have certainly been a lot more positives than negatives.”

Hartlepool start their season at home to Dover Athletic in under two weeks time.