Here are ten things Hartlepool United has to achieve in order to challenge towards the top of the table next season, as the National League return draws nearer and the team under new manager Darren Sarll begins to take shape.
Darren Sarll, manager of Hartlepool United, offers his tips for a great season.

1. Sign a goalkeeper

At least one new custodian will likely be at the top of Sarll’s wish list. Joel Dixon, who was placed on the transfer list at the end of the previous season, is a troubled player who only managed one clean sheet in 26 appearances. Dixon might profit from a new beginning. It might be more difficult to shift the 30-year-old stopper from Barrow and Bolton, who has struggled with his kicking, confidence, and area command since moving to the North East. In that scenario, Pools will probably try to sign a new number one while keeping Dixon as a backup. Pete Jameson ended the season strong, recording three straight home clean sheets, after having a lacklustre loan stint the previous season.accessible for free after being released from Harrogate. Sarll is also keeping an eye on Zan-Luk Leban of Everton, though he’s reportedly one of several goalkeepers that Pools are considering. The 15-year-old Slovenian under-21 international had a trial at Barcelona, but last season he played a standout season on loan at National League North team Farsley Celtic.

2. Improve in midfield

In addition to having issues with goalkeeping the previous season, Pools’ weakest area was their midfield; both Callum Cooke and Tom Crawford, members of the midfield trio that finished the previous season in the team, have been released; Nicky Featherstone, who turns 36 in September, has signed a new, ‘transitional’, player-coach contract and it’s unclear how much of a role he is set to play on the pitch; and Sarll has brought in workmanlike pair Jack Hunter and Nathan Sheron, who appear to in the engine room, but may still believe Pools need another body at the base of midfield. Considering Mancini’s inconsistent injury history and unclear future, having an additional creative member would be beneficial.

3. Keep hold of Mani Dieseruvwe

With his 25 goals, 23 of which came in the league, Dieseruvwe became just the fourth player in Pools history to score 20 goals or more in the league in a single season. In addition to his brutality in front of goal, he draws attention to himself, poses a threat in both boxes, draws a lot of fouls, takes penalties without hesitation, and forged an outstanding relationship with Joe Grey. It’s not surprise that after having his best-ever campaign, he’s become the focus of rumours and conjecture, but Pools are quick to clarify that no bids have been made for their lucky frontman as of yet.

4. Get the best out of Anthony Mancini

The 23-year-old’s rise was hindered by injuries after he lit up the North East during a trial last summer and then had such an amazing start to his Pools career. After suffering a hamstring injury at the end of August, he was sidelined until Boxing Day. Although he scored a fantastic long-range goal against Ebbsfleet in January, he was unable to regain his brilliant form until a nagging groyne issue ended his campaign early. After reportedly recuperating in his home country of France, fans will be itching to witness the peak of the former Accrington Stanley player more frequently. He will need to adjust to the new manager’s pressing style since he might not be a natural fit in a Darren Sarll side, but if he can repeat the performances from August of last year, he will become invaluable to Pools.

Adam Campbell is the fourth player Hartlepool United has signed for the summer.

The forward’s contract expired at Crawley Town, therefore he moved to join.

Campbell made 45 league appearances and scored seven goals last season, helping Crawley earn promotion to Sky Bet League One through the play-offs.

The attacker, who was born in North Shields, began his career at Newcastle United, where he made three Premier League appearances in the 2012–13 campaign.

After spending two years on loan at Hartlepool from Newcastle, the 29-year-old played for Darlington, Gateshead, and other teams. With Gateshead, he won the National League North championship in 2022.

Campbell stated on the club’s official website:

“I’m so happy to be here. I’ve already met the gaffer and know a few of the players and staff here, so I’m eager to get started.

The move was largely motivated by the fact that I perform better on the football pitch when I’m content and at home.

“However, if the goal wasn’t to help this team return to the Football League, I wouldn’t have come here.”

The summer is the most crucial season for Hartlepool United, according to manager Darren Sarll.
Sarll, who took over a team that was deficient in several aspects and was appointed a week after the conclusion of a stormy National League season, has experienced something of a baptism of fire.

The emphasis is on the new manager to put together a team that can close the gap between his team and the top seven, which was five spots and eleven points at the end of the previous season, since fans are expecting Pools to at least contend for the play-offs.

Among his initial responsibilities was to enforce rules regarding the retained list. The 41-year-old showed no mercy, letting go of nine players and opening up transfers for both Joel Dixon and Manny Onariase.

Following a lacklustre summer in which fan dissatisfaction escalated due in part to the contentious decision to raise season ticket prices, Sarll appears to have turned the corner.

Adam Campbell, the League One promotion winner, is one of the four new faces that the new management has brought in.

The way Sarll has approached recruiting, concentrating on players who are in the peak of their careers, have ties to the area, have played in the National League, and are known for their durability and dependability, has won over supporters.

While Nathan Sheron has played a regular role in the midfield of National League foe Oldham for the past two seasons, the other three members of the new foursome are local boys, Luke Charman, Jack Hunter, and Adam Campbell.

Thankfully, Sarll has made an effort to pinpoint the areas that are most critical to his distinct, relentless style of football, which emphasises a press everywhere on the pitch. Hunter and Sheron have both arrived to improve a lacklustre midfield, while Charman and Campbell seem to have the skills to spearhead the press.

Like most managers, Sarll understands the value of the so-called off-season and is optimistic that he and chief scout Ronnie Moore, along with head of football Joe Monks, have launched their summer operations off to a great start.

Although Sarll’s recruitment strategy seems to have given supporters hope, Pools still need reinforcements in several key areas, most notably in goal, where the troubled Joel Dixon is still Sarll’s only option.

The new manager is also making every effort to make things right, saying on the club’s official website that he believes the summer will determine how his team plays.

“It’s been excellent,” he remarked.

“This is the most crucial and significant time of the year.

Maintaining equilibrium between meeting players in person and virtually is crucial at all times.

“Joe and I spend a lot of time working with agents and player representatives, as well as interviewing players when we meet them, but it’s a crucial aspect of how this season will unfold.