The Poolie Bunker

Tight at the bottom but I'd back my boys to avoid drop



by Danny Wilson, Hartlepool manager
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That's the transfer window over then. Are you a fan of it?
I hate it. It just doesn't serve a purpose for clubs down at our end. We are scrapping around trying to get in players in such a short space of time. Other teams are reluctant to get rid of players because they want to keep things settled. The whole thing's a nonsense.

But were you desperately looking to improve your squad anyway?
Not really, though you are always seeking to improve in certain areas. I'm happy with the nucleus of the squad and would back them to see us to safety.

It's tight towards the bottom of League One but I get the impression it is a very close division.
I've never known anything like it with clubs at the bottom beating teams at the top time and time again. I think the clubs with the biggest squads will eventually prevail but so-called surprise results will continue to happen.

Such as Cheltenham winning 2-0 at Victoria Park a couple of weeks back?
Exactly, and they could have been four or five up at half-time. But we've done that to sides in the top half as well. We outplayed Leeds, for example, home and away but got only one point to show for it. But we certainly won't take Luton lightly on Saturday. Give them their ten points back and they'd be above us in the league.

Luton's troubles are a warning to everyone in football, but as a Hatters old boy I guess you were pleased to see them escape going bust?
Absolutely. I had some great times atLuton and I'm delighted that Mick Harford is in charge because if anyone can get them safe he can. Not that we'll do them any favours. We need three points on Saturday and I'd expect us to get them.

there's a recurring theme about recent two-nil defeats then . We could easily have been 5 or 6 down in both matches. Now that's not a one-off, is it Mr Wilson?

Does Mr. Wilson not realise he's in the racing posts articles on teams going down?