Barron relishing the chance to make an instant impression

This time around and, following Cooper's departure, the caretaker manager is keen to embrace the job.

With interviews believed to be taking place next week for the position, Barron is at the head of the queue and his odds of 12-1 may be a touch generous.

After just two training sessions last week he implemented a new style on the team for their trip to Brentford. Today, as he leads Pools at Chesterfield in the FA Cup, he aims to take it on a stage further.

"Last year, being honest, I was thrown in and it was a bit like being a rabbit in the headlights,'' he admitted.

"I'm a year down the line with a lot more experience of speaking to people and knowing how to handle the players.

"I was a little bit calmer on Saturday than I was a year before and I hope that rubs off on the players.

"The important thing is getting the players to feel good about themselves and realise they are not bad players.

"We're trying to give them some confidence and make them realise that they aren't bad players, because they're not.

"Hopefully with the result at Brentford and that performance they will realise what we are telling them.

"I've definitely learned more the way things have been the past year - I've spoken to a lot of people who say that.

"I spoke to Chris Powell at Charlton. He had a bad time when he first took over and told me he learned more during that spell than he did during all of last year when they got promoted.

"I think those times when you are struggling and aiming to come out of it make you stronger and better for it.''

With a full week's work on the training ground under his belt, Barron hopes the possession and passing game will bring a reward today.

Pools' were knocked out the FA Cup at the first stage last season, and it was the same in the League Cup and JPT.

This season they haven't progressed the other competitions either.

"The FA Cup is huge to us, all are and we've not done well enough in recent years,'' he admitted.

"A run brings in good revenue and it gives the players an extra buzz, everyone connected with the club can be lifted by it.

"There's no squad rotation or resting players - we'll be playing our strongest team to win the game.

"We'll be playing our strongest team on Saturday and Wednesday against Tranmere - we can't rotate players, unless people get injured that's the case. We cannot rotate anyone.''

And, while he contends with the finer details of being the club's football figurehead - he yesterday was granted permission for Sunderland loanee Ryan Noble to play this afternoon in the competition - it's all part of the job this time around.

"I'm enjoying it more this time,'' he claimed.

"I feel more comfortable and I feel like I know exactly what I want to do and what the players want to do.

"As long as you're getting results you feel confident and believe in yourself.

"I just want the team to get out of this situation we are in, get out of this relegation zone and climb the table as soon as we can.

"There are so many people who want to ask a question they can answer themselves!

"I think people just like to have a figurehead there. It's as if they want someone to say it's fine and then when you answer it, you know they could have answered it themselves!

"But people like knowing they are doing the right thing. It's not a problem for me.''

While the coaching and management team is a body light following Cooper's exit, Barron is using the experience within the dressing room to his benefit.

"We all chip in, we haven't got a massive staff, helping each other is something we always have done,'' he said.

"The staff here are great and they have encouraged me right from the start as soon as I was given a chance. There's not a problem with any member of staff.

"I've asked for help from the players. I've got Ritchie, Muzza and Sam helping me now. If two of them are playing I've another to rely on, it's a problem if they are all playing!

"It's important to use that experience of the older players and I'm not daft enough not to use at least one of them.''

"Hopefully I'll always have at least one of them alongside me.''