Maxim Kouogun believes Hartlepool United have 'come on leaps and bounds' under Pete Wild

Although Pools have lost three of their five matches since Wild replaced Lee Clark as head coach at the beginning of the month, there have been plenty of signs of progress under the former Oldham Athletic, Halifax Town, Barrow, Fleetwood Town and Tranmere Rovers boss.

While there have already been a handful of bumps in the road, not least the latest in an increasingly long line of ignominious FA Cup exits at the hands of National League North side Marine, there is a sense that Pools are heading in the right direction following a torrid start to the new season.