Hartlepool United have goals says boss Craig Hignett

Pools launch their League Two programme this afternoon against relegated Colchester United at the Northern Gas & Power Stadium (kick-off 3pm).

Hignett’s side have had a fair pre-season, recording two wins, two draws and two defeats.

But, in cricket parlance, they have failed to trouble the scorers in the matches against league opposition, Sunderland (0-3), Livingston (0-0) and Scunthorpe (0-1).

Hignett is not concerned and is instead optimistic that Pools will not just entertain the Vic faithful but produce results.

The boss says the management and players are desperate to reward the Poolies.

Hignett said: “The fans have been different class since we came here, whether it’s home or away they make themselves heard.

“The support I’ve had and the team’s had has been really good and we want to give them something to look forward to.

“The brand of football we play will be nice to watch and while we lost to Scunthorpe last weekend you could see how much better with the ball we were than last year.

“We were able to control the game against a team people think will do well in League One.

“I know we’ll be OK on the football front and we’ll be okay for goals too.

“Once we start scoring I think that will be it, I have brought in goalscorers, Lewie (Alessandra), Podge (Amond), Nicky (Deverdics) are all goal scorers.

“We’ve added goals.

“And people have come back flying – Lewis Hawkins gets better every time I see him and Josh Laurent has come back a different man, it’s like having a new signing.

“We have other good players like Michael Woods, Nicky Featherstone, we have plenty of good and intelligent footballers.”

Today marks the debut of Hartlepool United’s new arena name, having been the Victoria Ground and Victoria Park for over a century.

Northern Gas and Power’s sponsorship of the club has meant the ground has been re-Christened though to the fans it will, of course, always be “the Vic”.

Hignett was the man who scored the first ever goal at the BT Cellnet Riverside Stadium after Boro left Ayresome Park for their new home 21 years ago.

He understands tradition but also commercial requirements.

“It’s a great link-up for the club and something the chairman has been very vocal in his support for,” said the manager.

“Anything that brings in investment and let’s us compete can only be a good thing.”