Gus Mafuta has admitted he can't wait to hear the Victoria
Park crowd turned up to full volume during Saturday's opening game of the season
The midfield man was in Salford City colours on the final
day of last term when Pools were roared to a brilliant victory on the back of a
noisy and hostile environment created by home supporters.Now Mafuta – snapped up during the summer by boss Craig
Hignett – is looking forward to having that passionate backing in his corner
this weekend and throughout the new campaign.“I am very excited,” Mafuta told Pools TV.
“It was a good atmosphere on the final day last season – for this division it was probably the best I have seen when they got the drums out and really got behind the boys.
“I think you could see how much of a boost that gave to theHartlepool players on that and I hope they can do that again come Saturday.
“There's been a good feel around the place that I felt as
soon as I walked through the door; I think everyone is quietly confident that
this season could be something special and the crowd will play a big part in
that.”Mafuta was a starter for Salford at Wembley at the end of
last year as they secured their place in League Two so he knows all about the
mentality required to succeed in the National League.Pools have put together a strong squad in readiness for the
fresh campaign and the 24-year-old powerhouse insisted that achieving their
goals will be as much about belief as it is about ability.“We have to go in to every game expecting to win.
“That's not having an arrogance about anything but we're a
big club in this division and we have to put that pressure on ourselves to
perform and get results.“I have had a full pre-season, I have luckily avoided any injuries which is what you want, so I feel good, I feel fresh and I raring to go now.”
Watch our full interview with Gus Mafuta here now:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1feUYRifANY&t=46s