First time ever…

Snowy · **Joined:** Fri Aug 18, 2006 12:18 pm **Posts:** 40883

….I’ve felt this bleak about Pools prospects.
Even in the truly bleak times, you had that faith despite the crowds, if a bit of success came along, the fans would follow, but this past few years have been bleakest years of busily going nowhere and seem to have dropped to a new low.
We’re a club ticking over, treading water, drifting, to put it mildly.
It’s like everything is winding down and the fan base utterly disillusioned to the point that things that did matter don’t, the ‘why make an effort’ feeling takes over and it’s easier to miss a match, because the club’s left you….
We need a sign of hope….and it just isn’t there.

Bluestreak · **Posted:** Tue Dec 23, 2025 8:06 am

It will only come with a change of ownership but,.............. and its a big but, things could be worse.
We are 8th just before Xmas.
But it feels dead in the water........becalmed.
Is there anybody out there?

Snowy · **Joined:** Fri Aug 18, 2006 12:18 pm **Posts:** 40883

Bluestreak wrote:

But it feels dead in the water........becalmed.
Is there anybody out there?

A bit like someone throwing a life belt to a drowning man, bit not connected the line to it, so the man doesn’t drown, but he ain’t saved, just drifting along.
So if you’re rescuing someone, do all the job, not just half of it.

Ozzy Saltburn · **Joined:** Mon Nov 01, 2021 11:34 pm **Posts:** 4538

I agree with all the above. Been thinking about this and it seems to me this is different from the bad old days of the past when we were constantly worried about being in the bottom four of the fourth division because we would have to apply for re-election. We knew we couldnt beat the top teams but there was always interest in winning enough games to finish fifth bottom or better. These days we know we cant beat the top six teams and we know we are highly unlikely to go down so there is not a lot to get excited about. We are in the doldrums. Becalmed. Going nowhere.

accrington fan · **Joined:** Wed Jan 20, 2016 3:22 pm **Posts:** 23121

its all down to the level the club is now at. doubt any fans will ever embrace this league even if some of our opponents and fans would love to be in our position now. with the same type of football being played and being 8th in league 2 there would be more positivity plus another 1,000 poolies at the vic for even a game against crawley. if we had a new owner today i really doubt things would change where fabs are concerned until we wave non league football good bye.

Flying Hogans · **Joined:** Tue Nov 05, 2019 10:29 pm **Posts:** 6488

Ozzy Saltburn wrote:

I agree with all the above. Been thinking about this and it seems to me this is different from the bad old days of the past when we were constantly worried about being in the bottom four of the fourth division because we would have to apply for re-election. We knew we couldnt beat the top teams but there was always interest in winning enough games to finish fifth bottom or better. These days we know we cant beat the top six teams and we know we are highly unlikely to go down so there is not a lot to get excited about. We are in the doldrums. Becalmed. Going nowhere.

I think you're spot on there. For instance, Ronnie Moore's Great Escape is remembered with huge affection but the diabolical run of results that got Pools rock bottom in the first place was far worse than anything that has happened to us in the National League.

Being average in a bad division is shit but it could be worse - ask Scunthorpe fans, their team dropped straight down into the National League North. It's the season after season of just ticking long and doing naff all in cup competitions that gets on everyone's tits.

accrington fan · **Joined:** Wed Jan 20, 2016 3:22 pm **Posts:** 23121

Flying Hogans wrote:

Ozzy Saltburn wrote:

I agree with all the above. Been thinking about this and it seems to me this is different from the bad old days of the past when we were constantly worried about being in the bottom four of the fourth division because we would have to apply for re-election. We knew we couldnt beat the top teams but there was always interest in winning enough games to finish fifth bottom or better. These days we know we cant beat the top six teams and we know we are highly unlikely to go down so there is not a lot to get excited about. We are in the doldrums. Becalmed. Going nowhere.

I think you're spot on there. For instance, Ronnie Moore's Great Escape is remembered with huge affection but the diabolical run of results that got Pools rock bottom in the first place was far worse than anything that has happened to us in the National League.

Being average in a bad division is shit but it could be worse - ask Scunthorpe fans, their team dropped straight down into the National League North. It's the season after season of just ticking long and doing naff all in cup competitions that gets on everyone's tits.

true. some fans will say once we are safe from going down the season is over. for me it has not really got started yet. pk scunthorpe fropped below this level but like york and stockport did before they are both making a better fist of things than us. one thing all three have in common is new ownership.

Snowy · **Joined:** Fri Aug 18, 2006 12:18 pm **Posts:** 40883

Simply put, it boils down that change has to come from the top, to set the wheels in motion to be successful……we’re just bystanders with an interest, but no power.

Smokin Joe · **Joined:** Sun Apr 14, 2013 7:13 pm **Posts:** 1560

Snowy wrote:

….I’ve felt this bleak about Pools prospects.
Even in the truly bleak times, you had that faith despite the crowds, if a bit of success came along, the fans would follow, but this past few years have been bleakest years of busily going nowhere and seem to have dropped to a new low.
We’re a club ticking over, treading water, drifting, to put it mildly.
It’s like everything is winding down and the fan base utterly disillusioned to the point that things that did matter don’t, the ‘why make an effort’ feeling takes over and it’s easier to miss a match, because the club’s left you….
We need a sign of hope….and it just isn’t there.

Raj Singh HAS actually recently provided a 'sign of hope' for Xmas - unfortunately his version was to announce that the club is financially stable and not struggling like fcuk - as it was when he took over the reins. All well and good to hear such news in respect of the clubs financial and commercial aspectss.

As you say however, we fans desperately need a sign of hope that players may be introduced to strengthen the current bang average side in order to enable a realistic push for the play-offs to take place early in the New Year. However, Feaths post match comment vs Braintree ie 'You only need to score once to win a match rather than needing two or three goals' is hardly inspirational for players or fans hoping to see a more aggressive approach than has been the case over recent week

We are so close to edging into the playoffs it would surely be criminal not to at make some effort to boost the squad via a bit of wheeling and dealing, including releasing/loaning out players who are currently nowhere near being effective in the NL - despite their previous experience at higher levels. A couple of decent home wins could transform the season, get the missing fans back on board and give the side a fighting chance.

Flying Hogans · **Joined:** Tue Nov 05, 2019 10:29 pm **Posts:** 6488

Smokin Joe wrote:

Raj Singh HAS actually recently provided a 'sign of hope' for Xmas - unfortunately his version was to announce that the club is financially stable and not struggling like fcuk - as it was when he took over the reins. All well and good to hear such news in respect of the clubs financial and commercial aspectss.

As you say however, we fans desperately need a sign of hope that players may be introduced to strengthen the current bang average side in order to enable a realistic push for the play-offs to take place early in the New Year. However, Feaths post match comment vs Braintree ie 'You only need to score once to win a match rather than needing two or three goals' is hardly inspirational for players or fans hoping to see a more aggressive approach than has been the case over recent week

We are so close to edging into the playoffs it would surely be criminal not to at make some effort to boost the squad via a bit of wheeling and dealing, including releasing/loaning out players who are currently nowhere near being effective in the NL - despite their previous experience at higher levels. A couple of decent home wins could transform the season, get the missing fans back on board and give the side a fighting chance.

Agree 100% that now is the time to boost the squad, but I was a bit surprised by the Featherstone comment you mention - 'You only need to score once to win a match rather than needing two or three goals.' Thing is, there's only ever two manager interviews post-match, for the OS and The Red Radio, and he doesn't say any such thing in either of them. They're both still available online.

Do you remember where you saw/heard it? Looks like somebody has been putting words in Feath's mouth to me.

Smokin Joe · **Joined:** Sun Apr 14, 2013 7:13 pm **Posts:** 1560

It was in a Mail article in which Feaths was praising Evans for keeping a clean sheet against Braintree and the importance of doing so - which is unarguable. However I was also surprised that he followed up with the above comment. He could have been misquoted but I definitely read those words.

Mr Irrelevant · **Joined:** Thu Aug 17, 2006 8:25 pm **Posts:** 22949

Flying Hogans wrote:

Ozzy Saltburn wrote:

I agree with all the above. Been thinking about this and it seems to me this is different from the bad old days of the past when we were constantly worried about being in the bottom four of the fourth division because we would have to apply for re-election. We knew we couldnt beat the top teams but there was always interest in winning enough games to finish fifth bottom or better. These days we know we cant beat the top six teams and we know we are highly unlikely to go down so there is not a lot to get excited about. We are in the doldrums. Becalmed. Going nowhere.

I think you're spot on there. For instance, Ronnie Moore's Great Escape is remembered with huge affection but the diabolical run of results that got Pools rock bottom in the first place was far worse than anything that has happened to us in the National League.

Being average in a bad division is shit but it could be worse - ask Scunthorpe fans, their team dropped straight down into the National League North. It's the season after season of just ticking long and doing naff all in cup competitions that gets on everyone's tits.

That great escape wasn’t really that great. People forget about the implosion of Cheltenham and others who were determined to go down. If you want a real great escape then look at Len Ashursts team in the early seventies.

Ozzy Saltburn · **Joined:** Mon Nov 01, 2021 11:34 pm **Posts:** 4538

Mr Irrelevant wrote:

Flying Hogans wrote:

Ozzy Saltburn wrote:

I agree with all the above. Been thinking about this and it seems to me this is different from the bad old days of the past when we were constantly worried about being in the bottom four of the fourth division because we would have to apply for re-election. We knew we couldnt beat the top teams but there was always interest in winning enough games to finish fifth bottom or better. These days we know we cant beat the top six teams and we know we are highly unlikely to go down so there is not a lot to get excited about. We are in the doldrums. Becalmed. Going nowhere.

I think you're spot on there. For instance, Ronnie Moore's Great Escape is remembered with huge affection but the diabolical run of results that got Pools rock bottom in the first place was far worse than anything that has happened to us in the National League.

Being average in a bad division is shit but it could be worse - ask Scunthorpe fans, their team dropped straight down into the National League North. It's the season after season of just ticking long and doing naff all in cup competitions that gets on everyone's tits.

That great escape wasn’t really that great. People forget about the implosion of Cheltenham and others who were determined to go down. If you want a real great escape then look at Len Ashursts team in the early seventies.

I lived every minute of it. I was a school kid at the time but talk about emotional highs. Wnning 2-1 at Darlo was the stand out moment.

Snowy · **Joined:** Fri Aug 18, 2006 12:18 pm **Posts:** 40883

We’ve had more ‘Great Escapes’ than Steve McQueen on his motorbike…..we should rename the the club ‘Stalag Luft Pools’.
The floodlights could have watchtowers with machine guns on top and save on stewards … and fans leave the ground in tunnels they excavated at half time…or in a vaulting horse…or cunning disguises…. as the ‘Commandant’ of Pools announces ..’For you, ze season is over’.
Just a thought.

Flying Hogans · **Joined:** Tue Nov 05, 2019 10:29 pm **Posts:** 6488

[Quote] If you want a real great escape then look at Len Ashursts team in the early seventies.

Being in the Vic for that brilliant run of 5 home wins on the bounce was what got me hooked on Pools for a lifetime.

Funny how we all forget that the following season - still with Len in charge - was absolutely dire. Pools finished 20th. Still, Darlo were rock bottom, so it wasn't all bad

accrington fan · **Joined:** Wed Jan 20, 2016 3:22 pm **Posts:** 23121

Smokin Joe wrote:

[

Raj Singh HAS actually recently provided a 'sign of hope' for Xmas - unfortunately his version was to announce that the club is financially stable and not struggling like fcuk - as it was when he took over the reins. All well and good to hear such news in respect of the clubs financial and commercial aspectss.

As you say however, we fans desperately need a sign of hope that players may be introduced to strengthen the current bang average side in order to enable a realistic push for the play-offs to take place early in the New Year. However, Feaths post match comment vs Braintree ie 'You only need to score once to win a match rather than needing two or three goals' is hardly inspirational for players or fans hoping to see a more aggressive approach than has been the case over recent week

We are so close to edging into the playoffs it would surely be criminal not to at make some effort to boost the squad via a bit of wheeling and dealing, including releasing/loaning out players who are currently nowhere near being effective in the NL - despite their previous experience at higher levels. A couple of decent home wins could transform the season, get the missing fans back on board and give the side a fighting chance.

know games drag on longer than a boring day at work but feel devs has little option. we are playing to what strengths we do have defense. we just have not got the players where we could go oit and outscore the opposition. he,d get more stick if he did that especially if results got worse. think we would all like players in and some out, but looking at next season more than this one without half a new team being introduced in the summer.

The Poolie Bunker

First time ever…

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