The Poolie Bunker

Yes im going to have a look and a beer or 3

bollox forgot about it

Final score 2-2, Tinks and Foley for Pools.

see you have your happy head on tonight

what, who were the trialists like ?

To be fair Darrel Clarke has had plenty of opportunities to prove he is good enough over the last few years, sadly the simple fact is that, despite being a good guy who everybody loves, he isn't good enough.

From what I've seen over the last few years in Leagues 1 and 2, there is very little difference in the majority of teams and absolutely no reason why we can't have a good season next year.

Dimi, Nelson, Clark, Liddle, Sweeney, Boland, Barker, Joel and Brownie would probably get into most teams in League 1 so thats 8 quality players we can build on with a few additions (full back areas mainly) and developing the other players we have at the club. If Wilson can be as astute in the transfer market this summer and not go crazy like Scotty then we'll definitely be top 6.

It does look like a fair few (including some of the former youth teamers) might be on their way. Players like Robson and Brackstone have been pros for a couple of years now, and are yet to get beyond the stage of being described as "promising" at best - by now they should be starting to look like players that can do a solid job for the first team at least if they're worth persisting with. Darrell's looked to be on his way out for about two seasons, yes he's a nice bloke but I think even he would have been astonished to be given another contract by Pools last summer (or even the one before!). Then you've got the likes of Proctor and Darren Williams.... the latter can do a job if needed, but the sort of money they'll be on if they're not first team regulars then it's a waste.

What Wilson will no doubt be looking at for next season is a smaller group of pros (excluding any youth teamers offered first deals) but with all of them capable of making a case for being in the starting 11. We've got a lot of fringe players at the moment, and while we can cover absences in some areas (notably central midfield) on the flanks in particular we're very short on cover. What would have happened for example if Monkhouse had been injured two months ago? Hunphreys into midfield and either Brackstone or Robson at full back? The picture would have been very different.

I've asked this before, but what length contracts did Scotty give his signings. I thought it was two years, which would mean they were all out of contract in June.
I was told they had three year contracts, which means either paying them off or paying them to sit around for another season, both expensive options which would limit the number of new signings we could bring in.

Darrel Clarke 22 goals in 106 starts + 30 subs
Lee Bullock 6 goals in 36 starts + 28 subs

I know who I'd rather have in my team