Reiss McNally gives insight into Lee Clark's methods at Hartlepool United.

Reiss McNally has given a wonderful insight into what life is like at Hartlepool United under head coach Lee Clark - and the intensity on the training ground.

It was a major summer of change at Pools, a total of 13 players left Victoria Park when the retained list was announced, with 14 new arrivals at the club as Pools target promotion back to the EFL from the National League. Their league campaign got off to the best possible start last weekend with a comprehensive 2-0 win over Barrow.

And ahead of the weekend trip to Aldershot Town, defender and new vice-captain McNally has been reflecting on what life is like under Clark, who replaced Nicky Featherstone in the Pools dugout this summer.

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McNally, speaking at the club’s Maiden Castle training base, told the Mail: “Well, that hard-working environment. Each day is tough and I think it's massive on the players that have come in. I find it a lot more difficult training every day against different strikers, different players. So I think the day-to-day is that, even in training school, anything we do is win-based. We want to win. So that mentality, definitely, I've seen.”

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And McNally is enjoying pitting his wits and skill against the new intake of Hartlepool United forwards - including Will Harris, Chris Popov, Jordan Hugill and Terry Bondo.

He added: “They all offer something different. Popov wants to run everywhere, he wants to get his shots off as quick as possible. So it's a different challenge playing each of them, Will. You've got Hugill and Terry [Bondo] who have strong physical presences, but then can also finish the ball well. So it's good just getting used to them and then obviously you carry that into the match, coming against different strikers.”

There is also strong competition for places across the backline too. He added: “Yeah, 100%. I've thought that all throughout pre-season - there's no slacking. Everyone's got to be on it because there is competition. Like we saw at the weekend, so everyone's on it so far and we've just got to carry that through the season.” Jack Hunter was this summer named captain by Clark with McNally his deputy.

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Reflecting on the honour, McNally added: “Yeah, it was a proud moment, obviously to be vice-captain but there are a lot of leaders in the dressing room. I think that's what's good this season. Even though they ain't got the title, there's a lot of players that will offer that leadership role on and off the pitch. I feel like as soon as I step on the pitch, I'm one of the leaders alongside some of the others.”

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