The Poolie Bunker

Surprised Reid was released but fully agree with the other departures. Would have released Hunter and Charman as well.

The new Manager might not agree with it.

Very strange.

So a squad of 10 so far.
The next 10 are Gunna have to be a lot better than more of the same.

See what July looks like.

I will judge the new team on the 4th game after we win 3 games in a row.
Thats when it normally goes tits up resulting in playing catch up.
UTP.

I'd be interested to see where Johnson and Walker end up, two signings that make the bringing back of Steve Howard seem like a masterstroke.

I'm slightly surprised about Reid- though he did come across as a bit arrogant. Might not have been released on ability alone.

Hunter and Charman offered deals- though that would suggest similar or reduced terms?
Happy for them both to stay as both are versatile. But wouldn't be overly upset if either left. Maybe good squad players as neither will be automatic first choices.

Also suggests in the statement from Bromby that the new gaffer will be Head Coach rather than Manager - so maybe suggests a Director of Football will be appointed, as part of a new structure?

So Bromby and Partners deciding who should stay and who should go, are they going decide who Pools are going to sign ?

Isn't that what they've been brought in to oversee- hence the departure of Joe Monks?

Josh Hawkes available
L

No thanks- wouldn't be happy with that. He must be early 30's now, with his best days behind him.

We've just got rid of Holohan & Walker. We want players aged about 27- the likes of Kougan and McNally, experienced but not clapped out!

Surely if we were going to sign more of the same, We would kept half of those released.

Yes

Josh Hawkes is 27, has played 240 games & scored 44 goals, so that fits your experienced but not clapped out requirement. However, I agree with you that he shouldn't be coming back!!

It's not unthinkable that Reid has a deal lined up elsewhere on a free and so isn't available for negotiations with Pools.

If he'd been even slightly into staying then surely he'd have been in negotiations ahead of Charman.

I'm happy to stand corrected '66!
It seems like a long time since he played for Pools- automatically assumed he'd be early 30's, though still not overly keen given the recent record of returning ex players.

That said, If I could sign an ex Poolie - I'd have Luke Armstrong from Carlisle (technically we only had him on loan from Salford) but he is a home bird and scores lots of goals in the North East.

True although he has hardly set the world on fire at Carlisle.

It's all down to Geography Ozzy - Carlisle are North West- they just pretend to be North East- hence we have to put up with them on Look North!

The new (but not yet announced) manager might well have been involved in the drafting of the retention list.

I don't mind the Shaggers being included on Look North as Cumbrian folk lost their local BBC TV station many years ago. What I do object to is both Harrogate and York being included in the Look North sports section (such that it is) when both places are also covered by BBC regional TV stations ie BBC East Yorkshire or BBC West Yorkshire. Why do they need to be included in BBC Look North Newcastle too?

Pools hardly rate a mention by the time the Look North gormless presenters or the much more acceptable Michael Bridges have finished with women's football, the Mags, Mackems, Boro, Shaggers, Harrogate, York and the Heed. Having said that poor old Darlo never rate a mention at all.

Yes, Reid is the only surprise departure.

Hunter's main asset is his versatility - I think he played better as a stand-in centre back than as a midfielder last season. Not really bothered if he stays or goes.

Charman is very tenacious for a forward but he's too injury prone. He's lucky to be offered a deal.

Is charman injury prone? Granted he's had the odd spell but my impression is that he is fit and playing most of the time. Compare him to the likes of McNally for example.

That is what I suspect too- we've just got to wait until he gets back from the World Cup!

I like Charman for his endeavour - but he desperately needs a new pair of shooting boots - if he's stopping.

Charman started 17 league games this season and was on the bench for 9. Not available for 20.

The only real surprise for me is Reid. Hunter isn’t popular but a decent, versatile squad player, same as Charman.

I personally don’t think this list has anything to do with a pending manager, modern football is much more set up so that the manager/head coach sets the tactics and training but the recruitment is done above them. That way, the club can have a consistent approach to playing style and sign players and managers to suit, instead of what we’ve had in recent years of 3 different managers a season, all with a different approach and demands for new players to fit them. Look at last season with Sarrl’s defensive, aggressive hoofball followed by Lennie Lawrence and then Limbrick trying the opposite.

Still too many retained.

You have miss-quoted me. I'm sure everyone else will of noticed that.

LOT Better Is what I said

A few kids on lowish wages and the offer to an injured player has slashed the payroll big style.
Good to see the so called big Earners have gone.

Excellent financial business.

Now we see the Stella signings appear to reach the objectives of Bringing Bromby in.

50/50 so far on whether it works.

UTP.

3 out of the 4 under contract had decent seasons imo, thought Sheron was poor though.
Not bothered if the 3 under contract talks walk, Hunter is versatile but Steady Eddy, Benn blew hot and cold, Charman gets a nose bleed and shoots blindly whenever he's within 30 yards of goal when he has team mates in better positions and he's not likely to improve. I'm sure there's plenty of better alternatives available for similar money.
Some decent players, on paper, released but they never worked out so best getting shot rather than hope they'll come good, also some shockingly poor ones who I doubt will find another club at this level.

well reid did have his problems off the field at oldham and i,m sure it was not plain sailing for him at stockport either. not a big shock as he seems one of those players who just do a season at clubs and then move on. his oldham problem was a bust up when the players were asked to train on christmas day causing him to be placed on the transfer list.

Benn is staying. He had his contract option taken up.

Young Campbell Darcy is the third player who is in discussions about a new contract.