So what do we have? Well Hartlepool United come into the new season with a fairly similar squad to that with which they finished last season, although that means a vast number of changes to the start of 96/97, which can only be a good thing. The addition of Paul Baker in the week before deadline day was extremely important as he was able to attract more players to the club in order to dig us out of a hole. He should be useful in the goal scoring department but it is his influence off the pitch that is of key importance. He and Tait need to work together to get the best out of a team which showed potential towards the end of last season.

With Halliday still in the fold (at the moment) there is plenty of depth up front which is where the season will pivot. There are will be an awful lot of competition for places in the back 4/5 thanks to the arrival of Russel Bradley, Mickey Barron (who will probably play in the 'holding' role) and the return to fitness of Chris McDonald. That competition should ensure that the defense is pretty frugal despite the loss of Ian McGuckin to Fulham. Hence, it will be the volume of goals that decides our position in the table.

Pools need a good set of strikers (where, dependent on form, the current crop could suffice), good supply (which looks a bit weak) and plenty of goals from elsewhere (which should be okay). It is a tall order, which is why I'm afraid that promotion will not be the order of the day. We may have an outside shot at the play-offs as the team should improve as the season goes on. Ultimately, I feel that we should be pleased with a finish in the top half of the table and I'm prepared to say that I think the team will deliver."

The Flying Pig's Prediction: 11th