Lee Clark remains focused on 'ambitions and desires' amid Hartlepool United promotion talk

Hartlepool United have been tipped to challenge for promotion into the EFL during the upcoming National League season - but head coach Lee Clark won’t be shouting from the rooftops over his side’s ambitions for the new campaign.

The former Newcastle United and Fulham midfielder has overseen a major overhaul of the squad he inherited from former boss Nicky Featherstone earlier this summer - and it would be safe to say Pools’ recruitment has caught the eye of several National League experts over the last six weeks. The signings of the likes of former Morecambe duo Chris Popov and Jack Nolan, FC Halifax Town striker Will Harris and experienced frontman Jordan Hugill have led some to suggest Pools have pushed themselves firmly into the promotion mix.

However, Clark has refused to get too carried away with such talk and insisted both he and his Pools players will simply look to maintain their ‘high standards’ and ensure they remain focused on helping the club realise their ‘ambitions and desires’ during his first season in charge.

He told The Mail: “We know what we are wanting to do internally. We are not going to be a group that will shout externally about what we are trying to do - but we know what the demands are with what we are trying to achieve on daily basis at the training ground and match-by-match. We have high standards. This football club is a proud Football League club. As I said at the start, I managed against them in League One and the fans deserve it to be at that sort of level. We know what our ambitions and desires are and we will give everything we can for that.”

Competitive

The challenges that lie in wait ahead of the new season are clear to see as several clubs across the National League are expected to be in the push for promotion into League Two during the campaign. The likes of Harrogate Town, Forest Green Rovers, Southend United and opening day opponents Barrow have all boosted their squads during the summer months and are widely tipped to be there or thereabouts in the promotion mix. The depth in quality in non-league’s top flight has led Pools boss Clark to challenge his players to be adaptable throughout the season and ensure they are ready to change their approach during games.

He said: “I’m experienced enough to realise that’s going to be the case over the season so we have to find ways to be competitive and go and win football matches for 46 games. I’d love to play sexy football and be creating chances left, right and centre - but there are going to be games where we have to dig in and we have to get a reaction from the players at half-time or come from a goal behind. On occasions you might have to dig out a result with a players. All of these aspects, all of these things, you’ve got to manage and challenge yourself and come out on top over the course of the season.”

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