Pools defender Billy Sass-Davies talks being back in the side, moving to the North East and learning from last season.
The defender has enjoyed a run in the starting 11 in place of Luke Waterfall recently, playing an important role as Pools have claimed back-to-back wins.
“I’m really enjoying it in the new formation,” he stated.
“I like playing on the right side of a back three, it gives me the license to get on the ball more. I played there last season for Boreham Wood and I enjoyed that role.
“Naturally, I’ve been frustrated at not playing too many games, but I’ve been working hard in training and the gym to be ready for when my opportunity arrives.
“Training is good, the standard is high, and we strive to improve one another.
“Recent results have been really positive as well. We’ve deserved even more points than we’ve managed to pick up, which is testament to the team’s performances.
“I want to finish the season as strongly as possible. My personal aim is to play in these last six games, and I don’t see any reason why we can’t win all six either.”
Originally from North Wales, Sass-Davies has lived in a number of regions across his career.
From Cheshire with Crewe, Somerset with Yeovil, and Surrey with Woking, the defender has relocated several times over the last few years.
Now in the North East, Sass-Davies has revealed he has settled into the area with ease.
“It’s a nice area to live,” he explained.
“I’m living up in Yarm at the minute with Greg Sloggett, Tom Parkes, Luke Waterfall and Sam Folarin.
“We spend a lot of time together away from the pitch and I’ve really enjoyed living up here over the last few months.
“I remember hearing about interest from Hartlepool a while ago – I think it was last January.
“When Darren Sarll got the job in the summer, I worked under him twice, he gave me a call to come up on trial.
“I was obviously delighted to get a contract in the end and pleased to join such a well supported club.”
Sass-Davies’ move to the Prestige Group Stadium followed a hectic summer for the defender.
The centre-back had departed Crewe, the club he spent his entire professional career at, and narrowly fell to relegation while on loan at Boreham Wood.
“It was a strange time,” the defender admitted.
“I loved my time at Boreham Wood, I learnt a lot and it was nice to be playing every week.
“With the team that we had, we shouldn’t have got relegated. It
was really disappointing.
“On a personal note, I took a lot away from that. It was a tough feeling and something I’ll never want to experience again.
“On the final day, it was ourselves and Ebbsfleet fighting for survival. It was a crazy game, emotions were all over the place, and ultimately we just fell short.
“That year at Boreham Wood taught me a lot and, with the game time I had, I developed a huge amount.”
