Hughes aims to use blank fortnight

New boss John Hughes has barely been in the Hartlepool United hotseat for a couple of weeks, but already he's been very impressed by many of the people he's met ... the supporters.

He’s reserving full judgement on the squad he has inherited for now, but he’s been delighted with the reception he has been given by the people of the town.

Hughes and the players have a blank this weekend, giving him a chance to get more of his ideas across as he builds up his battle to take the team to League One safety.

“The people in Hartlepool have been so friendly and welcoming - it might change if results don't go our way,” he told the Northern Echo.

"It gives you a platform to bring success to the club and this place is crying out for success. It inspires you to get out of bed on a morning.

"I'm trying to get that message across on the training pitch. Who is going to pass it, who is going to be the leader, the coach, the voice, who will demand to set that culture to pass the ball properly.

"I see changes taking place and bits and pieces happening.”

Pools are still well adrift of safety at the foot of the table, but Hughes is determined to make a success of his first chance to coach in England.

He will be using the blank fortnight to hammer home his ideas for how the game should be played and he added: "As a coach you put things in place and try it out and it depends on the weather. It's about working the summer to lay the foundations and give them a template.

"But if it's about working hard in the bad weather to make them a better team and work hard it will be done.''

The fans who have made Hughes so welcome in the North East will be hoping he succeeds, starting on December 8 when Stevenage visit the Vic.