Firstly, it was 30 degrees exactly when I got back into the car so we take a point against a Maidstone side who were better than last season. Lack of ball retention by us caused the second half pressure from them.

All in all we got a point from a game we would have lost last season because defensively we are stronger.

We fans have to give the new players confidence as one or two looked a little short of it. So we must encourage in home games to create the right supportive environment for Dinanga, Muir, James, Kitching, Kiosso and Davies to flourish.

The first surprise for me was the team. I did not expect us to have 3 strikers when we have played 2 pre-season. However, give him his due Cassidy worked hard and looks a better player than 12 months ago. However, with 3 good chances in the first 20 minutes he should of scored but the problem was the best fell to his right foot and goal keeper Lee Worgan anticipated well and made good blocks then followed up with an excellent save from a superb Donaldson half volley. When you are on top you have to score.

Despite the controversy it seemed like a penalty at the other end but what a nice guided finish with the instep by Liam Noble for the equaliser. He placed it into the corner like all good players should do.

To improve we have to pass the ball better and move it with greater pace. The passing from both teams was below football league standard. MoM has to be Carl Magnay at least 5 fantastic clearances and he did not look short of pace which was pleasing. As to the others

Loach 7 with 2 great late saves and some effective punching against corners was rock solid
Donaldson 6 needs to get wider and have more confidence to move into space but had one rasping drive and showed good second half energy
Magnay 8 MoM great clearances, interceptions and challenges best I have ever seen him play
Davies 7 is clearly playing at this level due to limited speed but a real rock at the back, blocked fantastically, won defensive headers and is a real threat from corners. The new Mick Smith!
Kiosso 7 Has promise and looked to pass it from the back and did the sensible things like knocking into touch when stretched with through balls
Kitching 6 looked good for the first 15 minutes then seemed to not get the ball. We need to give the lad confidence and support to have 'give and go' passes up that left flank with Luke and the central midfield
Noble 7 Did well and looks fitter than I thought he would be, superb finish for the goal, he plays the ball into the channels well but at times could he just roll it 10 metres to find feet of the strikers. However, plays the % balls well.
Featherstone 5 Looks fitter, but did not get involved in the game as much as I thought he should have but mostly retained possession
Muir 6 tried hard especially earlier on and had a good second half snap shot we need to encourage him to be direct and shoot
Cassidy 6 improved effort and fitness against last term, but finishing did not have the power in his low shots or the guided instep approach to get past a good keeper. To his credit he looked the most likely to run in behind the defence and get into some good positions just a shame 2 of the chances were on his right foot. He cleared one superb header well off the line in a back to the wall late second half.
James 6 tried really hard first half and ran at their right back never really got a chance to score. I think Luke is better in a front 2 than a front 3 as his movement is the key and may be better centrally.

Still we are level pegging with big spending Salford tonight! I was also pleased with the team spirit. Just surprised Woods was left unused on the bench and Richardson did not feature today?

Finally, tremendous away support today well done everyone for making the journey and the noise. In my view we are better than last year.

Solid result. Of course means nothing if we don't win one of next two home games. As I thought, this team if nothing else will give 100%, something sadly lacking in recent seasons. 2 home games coming up, great platform to hit the ground running.

Nice assessment, what formation did we play? Thought it was a bit concerning we have played 3-5-2 all pre-season then first game he’s got Donaldson (assumed as RWB like against Boro) Magnay, Davies, Kioso and Kitching on the pitch as well as Cassidy, James and Muir?

3-4-3

That's a positive, that Bates is prepared to change formation as and when required. My view is 3-5-2 more often than not , won't work in this league. Of course its all about the players.We will see on Tuesday, when he will probably revert to that currently fashionable formation.

I still wouldn't be surprised if Pools end up selling Michael Woods. He didn't get much of a look in in pre-season, didn't start in any of the 3 most serious tests (Sunderland, Spenny and Boro) and doesn't seem to figure too highly in Matty Bates's current plans. Josh Hawkes is like a younger, fitter version of Woods anyway and is an obvious replacement if his game continues to develop.

You'd think Woodsy's 11 goals from midfield last season would have some market value, so maybe Pools are just keeping him fit and hoping for a decent offer to come in?

Thanks for your observations, btf.

I read that their manager thought that they looked "fitter than Pools". This is rather worrying as it was a comment that was (justifiably) levelled against us on a few occasions last season. Obviously, first game of the season, new players, heat etc. or was it just a comment from a supposedly "small club" against a full-time outfit?

No question Maidstone were fitter. Can you really see a team managed by Bates to be super focused upon fitness he is not exactly a role model for sprints and distance running. The positives were Cassidy Featherstone and Magnay all looked fitter than last year

No question Maidstone were fitter. Can you really see a team managed by Bates to be super focused upon fitness he is not exactly a role model for sprints and distance running. The positives were Cassidy Featherstone and Magnay all looked fitter than last year

Agree with your comment and that's what was really behind my thoughts. We came badly unstuck in many of the games I saw last season because we just didn't compete (off field stuff notwithstanding). We would appear to have added some resolve to the team this time round but we must, surely, be able to match our opponents fitness levels before we can apply our (supposedly) greater ability?

So 3 players look fitter and the rest have gone backwards, is that what you're saying?

But... can't really include the 6 starters who didn't play for Pools last season because we've got no idea how fit they were at their previous clubs.

That just leaves the goalie and Donaldson. So Donaldson didn't look fit enough, is that it?

Spot on there Horden. The grinding out of a hard won point away is wasted if home points are squandered. It is now down to the forwards to show that they can produce the goals needed to get the Vic buzzing.

Another defensive plus from the first game was the performance of Kioso. After the first ten minutes when I thought "how many penalties is this lad going to give away?", he settled down and looked better than the makeshift left backs used last season. The only real negative in defence is the shocking pink kit worn by Loach. It must be a contender for the end of season fancy dress game!

I think Donaldson is pretty fit...

Maybe looking at yesterdays team donaldson is not quick enough for wb stick laing alongside davies/magnay move kioso who has pace to wb move donaldson to cm alongside nicky/noble put cassidy on the bench have nico/luke up top and leave the rest alone just a thought

I think with regards to fitness we need to take into account that it has been between 28 and 34 degrees down in kent for the last couple of weeks so their players will have played and trained in the heat. Where as our players have been training in roughly 10 degrees cooler temperatures. Its going to be intersting to see ho we fare fitness wise on Tuesday night in much cooler conditions. I definitely feel like our players tired in the heat yesterday

Donaldson was fitter than at any time I saw him last season yesterday as I reported he started the second half with energy

Donaldson might be fit but he was a square peg in a round hole yesterday,
Not strong enough, easily shoved off the ball,
New position for him fair enough but watched him yesterday after a free kick decision,
talking to the referee when the free kick was taken rather than concentrating on his defensive role, see if he is any better on Tuesday ,I hope so.

Donaldson being in the squad amazes me, I struggle to find a strength in there

If Bates were fitness coach that would be a great question.

Haven't we had the same fitness coach for years? Our players always look knackered after 70 and part-time teams always seem fitter than us, which is pretty unacceptable for a professional team. Not exactly like we play a high pressing game either.

That's exactly the point. We always hear that the team must "hit the ground running" (no pun intended) but we seem to come up short against these teams. Anyway, it's only the first game...…

I am always wary of the argument that fully professional clubs should be better/fitter than semi professional clubs. Some footballers are happy playing part time because of the money their "day job" brings in.
Some of these lads are good enough to play higher and are better than our level. The fact that they are better footballers than the lower end of professionalism also makes them look fitter. It is not always the case obviously but it is definitely worth considering when making comparisons.

A very valid summary, derwent. Going back to the days of "amateur" sport, I can recall several individuals I knew, footballers and cricketers alike, who could (and occasionally did) ply their trade "at a reasonable level" while maintaining their regular employment.

better than the first game last season though.