Hartlepool United manager Darren Sarll's 10 secrets to a successful season:
![For large parts of last season Pools were decidedly passive, pedestrian and one-paced. Both Kevin Phillips and his successor Darren Sarll warned of the need for a rigorous pre-season to ensure Pools, who won just twice in midweek last term, are much fitter come August. Sarll's relentless, intense brand of football that centres on a press all over the pitch will require Pools to be one of the fittest sides in the National League while the new manager's demanding, no-nonsense approach means he is unlikely to take kindly to players who are not in peak physical condition. What's more, Pools were ravaged by injuries last season to the point where they were reduced to just 15 players, including four teenagers and two goalkeepers, for their visit to Dorking on the final day. Of course, injuries are a natural part of the game but the extent to which Pools suffered appeared anomalous and was perhaps further evidence of a lack of fitness. Sarll appears to have targeted new recruits with favourable injury records - Jack Hunter and Nathan Sheron made a combined 89 appearances last season - and it's important that the rest of the squad can make the most of pre-season to achieve a similar level of robustness.](https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjE2N2JhZGI2LWFhNmQtNDBhOC05ZWE4LTVjMGI5NzAyYmJkZToxOTQ5M2MwYy05Y2JkLTRhZTQtODRhNy0wZTJiMDk4YzY0Y2U=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
5. Become fitter and more robust
For large parts of last season Pools were decidedly passive, pedestrian and one-paced. Both Kevin Phillips and his successor Darren Sarll warned of the need for a rigorous pre-season to ensure Pools, who won just twice in midweek last term, are much fitter come August. Sarll's relentless, intense brand of football that centres on a press all over the pitch will require Pools to be one of the fittest sides in the National League while the new manager's demanding, no-nonsense approach means he is unlikely to take kindly to players who are not in peak physical condition. What's more, Pools were ravaged by injuries last season to the point where they were reduced to just 15 players, including four teenagers and two goalkeepers, for their visit to Dorking on the final day. Of course, injuries are a natural part of the game but the extent to which Pools suffered appeared anomalous and was perhaps further evidence of a lack of fitness. Sarll appears to have targeted new recruits with favourable injury records - Jack Hunter and Nathan Sheron made a combined 89 appearances last season - and it's important that the rest of the squad can make the most of pre-season to achieve a similar level of robustness.Photo: Hartlepool United Football Club
![It's unclear at this stage what shape Sarll intends to send his side out in when the National League returns - perhaps pre-season will provide more of an idea - but it's important that both Joe Grey, who scored 13 goals last season, and new recruit Adam Campbell are named in the XI on August 10th. All of a sudden, Sarll seems spoiled for choice in attacking areas, with Luke Charman and teenager Max Storey both also vying for consideration next season. Grey struck up a prolific partnership with Mani Dieseruvwe last term, while Campbell helped Crawley win promotion to League One, so it would seem the pair, who should also be well-suited to lead Sarll's press, are the likeliest to get the nod. The challenge for Sarll will be to find a shape that gets the best out of both men; a lot of Grey's most impressive displays came from the right flank last season, while Campbell is capable across the front line but spent much of his time in West Sussex out on the left. Even so, it wouldn't be too much of a surprise if Sarll opted for a narrower shape that allowed Campbell to operate as a foil or partner to Dieseruvwe.](https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmZjNDk0MDFhLTg0NzItNDY5OC1hMjE2LWYzYWEzYTkxMzExOToxNWExZmQwNy1iZTIzLTRmNWQtYTllYS0zOTgwNWQ0NmM3YzI=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
6. Find a way to get both Joe Grey and Adam Campbell in the side
It's unclear at this stage what shape Sarll intends to send his side out in when the National League returns - perhaps pre-season will provide more of an idea - but it's important that both Joe Grey, who scored 13 goals last season, and new recruit Adam Campbell are named in the XI on August 10th. All of a sudden, Sarll seems spoiled for choice in attacking areas, with Luke Charman and teenager Max Storey both also vying for consideration next season. Grey struck up a prolific partnership with Mani Dieseruvwe last term, while Campbell helped Crawley win promotion to League One, so it would seem the pair, who should also be well-suited to lead Sarll's press, are the likeliest to get the nod. The challenge for Sarll will be to find a shape that gets the best out of both men; a lot of Grey's most impressive displays came from the right flank last season, while Campbell is capable across the front line but spent much of his time in West Sussex out on the left. Even so, it wouldn't be too much of a surprise if Sarll opted for a narrower shape that allowed Campbell to operate as a foil or partner to Dieseruvwe.Photo: FRANK REID
![Sarll's brand of football should represent a complete departure from last season, when Pools tended to invite sides onto them - although, as Kevin Phillips would surely point out, the previous regime were hamstrung by inheriting a squad lacking the physical attributes to take the game to the opposition. Sarll's style will require selflessness, sacrifice, energy, dynamism and industry that will require players to adjust to his approach quickly.](https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmNhNzE3ZjkyLWQ1NzQtNGM2Zi04ZWZmLTQ4MWVjNGE0Zjg2OTo2MTY0M2E3MS1hMWFlLTRhNDUtYTc5Yy03MDk1MDllODg0NWE=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
7. Adapt to Sarll's style
Sarll's brand of football should represent a complete departure from last season, when Pools tended to invite sides onto them - although, as Kevin Phillips would surely point out, the previous regime were hamstrung by inheriting a squad lacking the physical attributes to take the game to the opposition. Sarll's style will require selflessness, sacrifice, energy, dynamism and industry that will require players to adjust to his approach quickly.Photo: Frank Reid
![With seven substitutes now allowed in the National League, with Sarll able to call on five of his bench per game, depth appears more important than ever. Pools looked listless whenever one of their better performers were ruled out last term while there was often no room for respite even when a player appeared to be struggling or in need of a break. Pools cannot afford to make the same mistake again, especially given that Sarll's style is likely to require his squad to cover a lot of ground.](https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmZkYmE5MzZmLWMwNzQtNDkzNy05NGYyLWUyNWQwNzU4MTYzYzo4MDkwYzg2Ni02ODVkLTRiYTQtOTU4Yi1lYWIzNWVkYWFlMGI=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
8. Add depth to the squad
With seven substitutes now allowed in the National League, with Sarll able to call on five of his bench per game, depth appears more important than ever. Pools looked listless whenever one of their better performers were ruled out last term while there was often no room for respite even when a player appeared to be struggling or in need of a break. Pools cannot afford to make the same mistake again, especially given that Sarll's style is likely to require his squad to cover a lot of ground.Photo: Frank Reid