Jeff Stelling confident Hartlepool United can haul themselves clear of National League relegation zone

Having been touted as possible title contenders ahead of the new campaign, Pools are languishing in the bottom four having lost 11 of their opening 16 matches.

Even the most pessimistic of Pools fans would surely have struggled to envisage their side enduring quite such a disappointing start to the season following what was widely hailed as a positive and productive summer under new owner Landon Smith.

Indeed, head of recruitment Chris Beech as well as de facto director of football Chris Maxwell, who has come under increasing pressure from supporters of late, worked to assemble an almost entirely new squad after another underwhelming mid-table finish last term.