Nobody's Safe Yet! Pools Boss Will Keep Everyone Guessing

But manager Matthew Bates appears no closer to settling on the eleven players who will walk out at Maidstone United on the first day of the season.

Pools overcame Spennymoor Town 1-0 this weekend as encouragement grows.

It’s been a good summer on and off the pitch but places appear to still be up for grabs.

“It was a proper football match with a bit of needle, which is always good because it adds to it and as far as pre-season friendlies go it was as realistic as you’ll get,” he told the Pools Player.

“It was a good game for the lads to be involved in on Saturday because it’s as near as we’re going to get to what games will be like in the new season.

“I was pleased, particularly with the first half because I didn’t really think we got out of the blocks in the second half and we stopped doing what we’d been doing but overall I was happy.

“We had a conversation with the lads this week to let them know the team isn’t picked for the first game of the season yet – there are eleven shirts up for grabs and they have to work hard to get them.

“I have no loyalty to who I have signed or the lads who have been here before, that’s just the way it has to be.

“You work hard, you play well and you stay in the team,” he added on the club’s website.