Sarll has made a number of changes to his team in recent weeks, hoping to engineer a return to form.
Despite a successful conclusion to his loan stay, Jameson did not perform well enough to secure a permanent contract and was relegated to nearby rivals Darlington, while Dixon was transferred after a disastrous first year in the North East.It was cause for concern when Pools were a week away from the start of the new season with just Dixon on their roster.While some supporters may criticize Sarll’s handling of other issues, the manager was skilled in dealing with the goalkeeping situation and preventing it from becoming a catastrophe.After a long and futile search for a new man higher up the pyramid, Sarll drew on the expertise of Adam Smith, whom he knew from his time as manager of Yeovil, when the pair helped the Glovers reach the National League playoffs.Most fans anticipated Sarll to place his trust in Smith when the season began, but he shocked a few by handing Dixon the gloves.Despite a nervous moment late in the opening day triumph over Yeovil, Dixon repaid Sarll’s confidence with three consecutive clean sheets.Pools reinforced their goalkeeping staff at the end of August, when Brad Young returned to his hometown club on a season-long loan from Leicester.Dixon suffered a major injury barely a day after Young arrived, but Sarll once again astonished fans by promoting Smith ahead of the newcomer.The 31-year-old started the following five games and performed admirably, but he was demoted after conceding three goals against Rochdale – there was nothing he could have done to prevent any of them, albeit his erratic distribution irritated spectators.Young’s patience was soon rewarded, and by all accounts, he made a strong debut against Forest Green.While Smith has done almost nothing wrong, Young will undoubtedly be the one to begin moving ahead.Generally speaking, the back four has been less problematic.David Ferguson is the club’s only recognised left-back, and despite a shaky start to the season, Pools missed his experience, awareness, and understanding of the role when he was suspended for the defeat to Rochdale, and Sarll switched to three at the back, with Luke Charman playing as a makeshift wing-back.Tom Parkes has been brilliant, possibly his team’s greatest performance this season, while Billy Sass-Davies shined while filling in for skipper Luke Waterfall, who has now served two bans.Although Sarll plainly admires Waterfall’s leadership, Sass-Davies might consider himself exceedingly unfortunate to have lost his position soon upon the captain’s return.Pools have employed a variety of right-backs, but will be hopeful that Dan Dodds can make the position his own for the rest of the season.After waiting nearly a year to return from an anterior cruciate ligament injury on the first day, Dodds missed the following seven games.Teenager Louis Stephenson, a popular character with a promising future, played the following five games before falling out of favour after struggling in a goalless draw against Braintree and being loaned out to Blyth.
Kieron Freeman, who helped Sheffield United achieve promotion to the Premier League, was a dependable substitute, making six games before suffering an unfortunate injury in the defeat to Ebbsfleet the day before his short-term contract ended.Sarll will undoubtedly hope that the back four almost selects itself going forward, but Billy Sass-Davies certainly deserves a say, and the 24-year-old will likely partner Waterfall for the first time at the weekend after Parkes received his fifth booking just 12 games into the new season at Forest.Sarll’s new-look midfield made a lot of promises but has mostly fallen short.Nathan Sheron has been the finest of the new additions and one of his team’s top players, impressing with his work ethic, toughness, and adaptability.Jack Hunter has had a more mixed start to his Pools career, scoring the winner against Yeovil before receiving a needless red card against Woking, and is now expected to miss at least three months with a knee injury; the 26-year-old’s absence will undoubtedly be felt.Irishman Greg Sloggett impressed in pre-season and was tipped as a hidden gem from the Emerald Isle, but has struggled to get going thus far, while Derby County loanee Darren Robinson has taken his time making an impact, but received a glowing review from Sarll after making his first start against Forest Green.Nicky Featherstone, the club’s fourth-highest appearance maker of all time, may divide opinion, but few would dispute that Pools have looked better with him in the lineup this season.Sarll’s choice to play three defensive-minded midfielders on Saturday (Sloggett, Sheron, and Robinson) was divisive to say the least.Featherstone’s addition to that three would undoubtedly benefit a Pools team that is battling to hold the ball.Of course, the return of Anthony Mancini is what most supporters want to witness.The dynamic Frenchman is the only midfielder with true inventiveness capable of creating a moment of magic.He’s showed a few glimpses this season, most notably when he changed the game after being introduced at halftime against Boston earlier this month, scoring the equalizer and inspiring Pools to come from behind and win three points.A strong foundation makes sense, and there is something to appreciate in all of Sarll’s midfield acquisitions, but Featherstone’s exquisite patience and poise, as well as Mancini’s brilliance, would undoubtedly benefit a team that has scored only seven goals in 12 games and struggled in possession.The attacking line has seen a number of alterations in recent weeks as Sarll attempts to assist Pools recover their goal-scoring form.On the left, Luke Charman’s commitment and desire arguably give him the edge over Roshaun Mathurin, but the Palace loanee impressed on his debut against Halifax.Joe Grey started in a more central role against Dagenham, Redbridge, and Rochdale before coming off the bench against Forest Green, but he should be one of the first names on the teamsheet on the right side.The 21-year-old has scored three of his team’s seven goals this season and is one of the National League’s most promising young players.Adam Campbell has struggled to adjust to Sarll’s aggressive style of football, but he should still have a lot to contribute, either on the flank or in a central role, though the manager may have to pick between him and Mancini, and both will require Pools to bring the ball down more frequently.Mani Dieseruvwe’s absence from the trip to Gloucestershire made headlines.The talismanic forward scored 25 goals last season, including 23 in the National League, but has had a disappointing start to the season, scoring twice in 12 games.Gary Madine, who has scored over 100 goals and won five promotions in his remarkable career, is undoubtedly an outstanding alternative, but Pools fans will not want to see Dieseruvwe sit on the bench for too long.Despite having the size of a so-called target man, the 29-year-old is not the ideal fit for that job.At his peak, he is agile, instinctive, and deadly in the ring. He remains the guy to lead the line, but Pools has to start playing to his strengths.With the roster Pools has, it’s difficult not to feel like they should be performing much better.Most supporters went into the campaign hoping for a play-off push, and it’s much too early to lose up on that now.Sarll is looking for a solution to his team’s recent problems, but it may be necessary to start over. With a few modifications to his approach and team selection, Pools might soon be looking up rather than down.

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