Antony Sweeney says that the experience of playing against Newcastle United in pre season will stand Pools in good stead for the new campaign.
Despite a 5-1 reverse against Alan Pardew's impressive Magpies, the Pools midfielder insists that the players can draw valuable lessons from the friendly.
"For all they were excellent, I think we contributed to our own downfall," Sweeney told
Pools Player.
"It was always going to be hard against a team like Newcastle, but it's even harder if you start like we did.
"It was a difficult game but that's where everyone has to aspire to be - the young lads need to look at where they are and how they play.
"We may draw them in the cup at some stage, you never know, so we will have to learn a few lessons sharpish!"
Sweeney pulled a goal back for Pools in the second half of the game against Newcastle to celebrate his second strike of the pre season campaign.
But now the midfielder - top scorer last term with nine goals - is hoping he and his team-mates can hit the ground running after a strong warm-up period.
"I'm feeling fit; I spent a lot of time in the gym at training with Colin Larkin during the summer. They're good facilities and I took full advantage.
"Everything feels good at the moment but now the real stuff is starting - it's alright scoring in pre season but I want to take that in to the league, or cup as it is this weekend at Crewe."