Simon, you appointed Tom Parkes as our captain, how tough was it of a decision and what qualities does Parkesy have in your mind to be able to set himself apart from the rest to lead the side.
“It’s never an easy decision, who to make your captain.
“He is a leader both on and off the pitch.
“He is somebody that the players look up to as well, and Sheron is exactly the same.
“But I want 11 captains, I want communicators, I want people to lead by example.”
There had previously been thoughts earlier in the summer certainly that I’d seen across social media that perhaps with your promotion experience you may have been underestimating the strength of the national league, what is it about the players you’ve brought in, with only 2 of them coming from a team within the same division, that you feel will give Pools the edge to meet the targets you set out in your first interview.
“I’m pleased with what we’ve done recruitment-wise."
“The players we have brought in have plenty of experience in competitive games and leagues, that’s not something that I believe we lack."
“When you’re given a bit of a clean canvas to start from, it’s good for a manager to do that, because you’re not left with the sort of players from last year that don’t fit how you play."
“It is also about personalities, though, as well as capability."
“The new boys have got together and settled in quickly, which is great."
“I’ve got a good bunch of lads that care for the Club and they care for each other, so I can’t be happier.”
How’s training been ahead of the opening game now that it's properly down to business, pleased with the group and anything that even still has surprised you?
“It’s been good.
“We’ve got the right balance over the last six weeks of getting the players physically ready."
“I would say we are ready."
“It is a tough game for us, but you have to play them at some point."
“We went there last year, and got a positive result, we are hopeful that we can go and do that again.”
Expecting to have everyone fit and raring to go for this weekend, no injuries to report?
“No, no injuries as of yet, fingers crossed.”
Finally, are you looking forward to back managing in a competitive game in England? have you missed it and if so, how much with the cultural changes around the world.
“I had plenty of opportunities back in Asia and in England, but it was about waiting for the right one and the opportunity that felt like the best fit for me at this present time."
“This came up, and it felt like a good fit for me."
“You’re in football to be competitive and to be involved, and I wanted the kind of competition you get from here."
“It is a well-supported Club, I didn’t want to be at a Club where they didn’t get behind you when things are going tough and get you to wake up."
“These supporters will let me know if things are tough, and they will show fight, which is what I want, because we are fighting for them and we are putting on performances for them.”
