IN THE days following his appointment as Hartlepool United manager, Paul Murray admitted sleeping wasn’t an option for a new boss.

With so much to plan, too much to think about and not enough hours in the day, Murray was the manager wanting to do everything and more.

Three weeks down the line, Pools are at Southend today after a win, a draw and a defeat in his three games in charge so far, and Murray accepts there’s still far too much for him to take in.

Resting isn’t as much of a problem - “I’ve been here a few weeks and I’m sleeping easier now, generally every night I’m getting to sleep,’’ said the former Oldham assistant manager.

And he’s getting to know his players on and off the pitch. While there was a degree of familiarity with the squad after playing alongside some of them for Pools during his playing days, there’s plenty of others who he is still getting to know.

“We’ve done bits with players individually after training and speaking to them one on one - where do they see themselves, what’s their best position and the like,’’ he reflected.

“I feel it’s important o speak to them and know their feelings and situations. We will continue with it and when we get a real planned schedule out then it will continue and develop.

“I knew quite a few of the players when I came here already but also I’ve got to find out what they are like as people. What makes them tick? How can I help them? What is their character like?

“I want to manage them to get the best out of them. Willie (Donachie) has been doing yoga with them, we have been doing some mindset sessions with them.

“It’s all going well so far.’’

He added: “It’s a busy position being manager. At Oldham things used to get filtered down to us, but that’s not happened yet.

“I like to keep hands on when I can and I know in a few weeks it will spread out more when we get some unit stuff done.

“I will be more happy to say “Sam, you do that”, I’ll look after the midfielders, Willie the defence and we will do some of that this morning.

“But so far I’ve been quite hands-on and I will loosen my grip a bit. It’s a new job and I want to get my ideas across and when Willie and Sam (Collins) see that after a few weeks then they will know.

“I don’t want me to say “right you are doing this”, I want them to say to me “Is it OK if I do this?” or “Can I do that and make it better?” that’s fine, there’s scope for them to do what I want.’’

Last weekend’s FA Cup win over East Thurrock, while expected, was important as Murray sets out to lift Pools off the foot of the table.

A full week on the club’s training ground has been beneficial in getting his ideas and plans across to his players and Murray admitted: “There’s still stuff I want to bring to the club and I’m doing it in baby steps, but there’s been an improvement and we are seeing it.

“Coming back from two-down against Newport, beating East Thurrock – an always tough tie and without their keeper having a worldie it could have been five.

“Now this weekend we take it on and let’s do the same this weekend. I ask the lads to keep progressing and improve a couple of percent on each game, keep getting better and you have a chance.’’