It's been a mixed bag of results for Alex Neil's Sunderland this pre-season as they look forward to their Championship return. The Black Cats have won three of their seven pre-season friendlies, two of those coming against non-league opposition; Gateshead FC and Blyth Spartans.
It probably would have been a fourth, had the game against Rangers came to a conclusion in Portugal. Of course, results count for naught at this stage but the Wearsiders have performed well in patches.
The game against Poolies this evening will give Neil one final look at his side in a competitive setting before they take on Coventry City next weekend. For the hosts, it's been another summer of upheaval.
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Hartlepool parted company with Graeme Lee in controversial fashion last summer and have appointed former Dundee and Falkirk boss Paul Hartley as their new manager. The 45-year-old, who spent the majority of his playing career in Scotland, played for Millwall and Bristol City in two brief spells, but taking over the helms at Victoria Park will be his first managerial role in England.
The League Two side have been tipped for a season of struggle, as Hartley looks to put his own stamp on his side. Pools were dealt a blow when former Sunderland winger and star man Luke Molyneux left the Vic and signed for League Two rivals Doncaster Rovers.
Poolies have brought in 12 players with the majority of those new faces coming from north of the border in Scotland. Hartley's side have won two of their five pre-season fixtures with those wins coming against Marske United and Billingham Synthonia at the beginning of July.
They suffered defeat in their last outing against Blackburn Rovers and will be hoping to end their preparations strongly with a win over the Black Cats.
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