Dave Challinor speaks about his budget at Hartlepool United and the backing from chairman Raj Singh in the National League

Pools' new manager Dave Challinor with Raj Singh and Jeff Stelling during the Vanarama National League match between Hartlepool United and Solihull Moors at Victoria Park, Hartlepool on Tuesday 5th November 2019. (Credit: Tom Banks | Shutter Press)

The Pools boss has already made several changes in personnel during his three month tenure at Victoria Park. Saturday’s starting line-up at Barnet included just four players (Gavan Holohan, Nicky Featherstone, Ryan Donaldson and Mark Kitching) that started in his opening three games in charge.

Seven of the players who featured at The Hive (Mitch Beeney, Gary Liddle, Macauley Southam-Hales, Timi Odusina, Mark Shelton, Aidan Keena and Rob Harker) weren’t even at Pools when Challinor arrived back in early November.

Chairman Raj Singh and the United manager have met to discuss the plans regarding new contracts, potential signings and budgets ahead of the 2020-21 season.

Pools’ playing budget is believed to be around £700,000 this season and Challinor is content with his backing.

“The chairman has been great, I’m very aware of what the budget was and what it is and I have no issue with that,” he said.

“It’s more than competitive and gives me scope to put a squad together based on my previous experience and what’s happened before.

“I don’t envisage us going out and paying huge transfer fees, what we’ve got to do is profile the right players, select those players and do everything we can to try and get them.

“You’re not going to be successful getting them all. but the more of them we can get right, the better we’ll be.”