Hartlepool United striker reveals the key factor behind impressive start to the season

Pools are back in action Tuesday night, fresh from their resounding 6-0 win at Ilkeston Town in the FA Cup on Saturday.

And summer signing Bloomfield says confidence is sky high in the Pools camp ahead of the National League fixture at Victoria Park (KO 7.45pm).

Pools return to league action this week after the recent Barnet game was postponed after positive Covid-19 tests among the Barnet squad the weekend before the cup win.

Bloomfield said: “It’s just about keeping momentum, after going almost two weeks without a game it’s good to get a big win this weekend. We just keep going.

"I think the key is that everyone just gets along, honestly the camaraderie is like nothing I’ve experienced before, it’s unreal.

"I think that’s what it is where we’re friends on the pitch and friends off the pitch.

"I think that’s where having a fairly small squad helps because we all travel together, we all eat together, no one is really left out or left behind even if they’re not in the squad.

"I think that’s the key with the gaffer bringing us all together and he obviously knows what he’s doing.”

The Pools forward scored the side’s fourth goal in a 6-0 FA Cup fourth qualifying round victory at the New Manor Ground.

Boss Dave Challinor is expecting to have a full-strength squad from which to pick, with Rhys Oates back in contention.

“We brought Ryan [Johnson] off as a precaution. He went up for a header and felt a tightness around his hamstring when he landed but he’ll be fine. With the scoreline the way it was and the subs we had on the bench, we didn’t want to risk it.

"I imagine a few people won’t train on Monday just with little things that need some rest but everyone should be available for Tuesday and we’ve got some tough decisions to make where some people will miss out.”