Pools are scheduled to kick off their new National League campaign this weekend with a lengthy trip to Yeovil. This comes after a summer of change that saw Sarll replace Kevin Phillips, nine players depart the club, and seven arrive at Victoria Park.
Sarll was the manager of Huish Park for nearly three years. In his first season, he guided the Glovers to the National League play-offs, but he also faced many difficulties, including the tragic suicide of the team’s captain, Lee Collins, who was only thirty-two years old.
The National League appears to be wide open this season in the absence of a standout candidate, but it also looks to be a very competitive one, with teams like Barnet, Solihull, Forest Green, Gateshead, Southend, Sutton, Oldham, and York all putting in strong summertime performances.
Pools, on the other hand, will be vying for promotion. After a disappointing return to the National League the previous season, which resulted in a 12th-place finish, Sarll has made a number of astute acquisitions, including Adam Campbell, who moved down two divisions to join Pools, raising the eyebrows of several possible opponents.
Pools supporters are quietly optimistic about their team’s chances of success even if Sarll’s team may not be among the top three or four favourites; in his first season in charge, the new manager guided both Yeovil and Woking to a top seven finish.
Pools will visit Somerset after a mostly successful pre-season in which they have won five of their seven games. A strong start would undoubtedly assist.
Sarll is hoping to have an otherwise fully fit squad to choose from, with mercurial Frenchman Anthony Mancini having trained all week. However, the long trip may come too soon for long-term absentee Kieran Wallace and Irish midfielder Greg Sloggett, who is not expected to be involved after suffering an ankle injury in the win over Sunderland under-21s.
Furthermore, Sarll, who is well known for showing his emotions through his clothing, has promised that his team will stop at nothing to ensure a triumphant campaign.
“We must perish attempting,” he declared.
“To prevent a goal, they must want to tear off their arm, and to score a goal on the opposite end, they must want to tear off their leg.
“I can already sense it in the preseason games; we’re all in. We would be in for a difficult time if we weren’t all in. Let’s give it our best.Together, let’s create amazing experiences, tell amazing tales, and achieve amazing victories.
“We have an amazing past management roster with some incredible names. I would very much desire to be regarded as highly as the greats, Dave Challenger and Neale Cooper. I realize I’m a long way off, but that’s my desired destination.
“I aspire to their level of achievement. Because of the individuals that came before me, my supporters are just as eager as I am. Anything less would be a mistake to aim for.
“Even though we won’t be the finished product, it doesn’t really matter as long as we succeed and obtain anything.
“What it looks like from now until December will change based on form, fitness, injuries, suspensions and the recruitment of new players, which we’ll always try and do.”The truly exceptional seasons must begin in one place and progress to another.”It’s going to be an interesting ride.”
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