The Poolie Bunker

Rumours that Pools are close to signing Dan Batty, 28-year-old central midfielder. Released by York at the end of a 3 year contract and currently a free agent.

He featured in 41 NL games for them last season, mostly from the bench.

If Hampson is going to be injured for much longer, some more competition in midfield wouldn't hurt.

And then we might get a squad photo...

Tbh even if Hampson gets fit we could do with another central midfielder. Someone who isn't slow and can pass (so different to Hunter and Sheron).

Hunter did t have a bad game on Saturday and was a good captain imo, did what was required in winning challenges in a scruffy and hard fought middle of the park. Constantly talking to his team mates and organising things and also in the refs ear a lot.
We need a ball winner in midfield and he or Sheron can do that job, as long as they're both not on the pitch as CMs they can do a job. Obviously if Clark can bring better in great but obviously Clark sees something in Hunter to start him as captain.

Agree that Hunter had a decent game. Still, the boos he got for one wayward pass show that he'll do well not to be the player that some fans vent their frustration on whenever Pools aren't playing well. There is a vacancy after all

It’s a case of one swallow does not make a spring.

I think we need to give them all time under Clark and in his new system, if we're going to be playing 4, 4, 2 and attacking down the wings we absolutely need a player to do the dirty work in the middle and on Saturday Hunter did that job well and was crucially a strong physical presence and as captain he led the team well.
From where I was standing Hunter only got criticism when he broke out in the 2nd half and fluffed the pass. The keeper and Nolan were getting panned frequently from a few people over their kicking and going to ground when challenged for the ball.

hunter and sheron are both limited in there ability and what they can do. another player in that position coming in will not hurt us and doubt we,ll be breaking the bank bringing him in due to him being a free agent. good sides are like a jig saw puzzle with every player doing the role askeded of them and not loads of individually better players that do not gell.

Couldn't agree more, as long as the team are effective as a unit and the more the merrier in terms of numbers and hence cover, especially with the extra games created by the EFL cup or whatever it's called.
One thing which stood out on Saturday was that even though we made 5 substitutions the team was as good as the starting 11 which bodes well for the future.

even better when there is a good chance of some not even getting on the bench who more than likely are better than some of last seasons regulars. its not as if we had a full squad to pick from with 2 unavailable we know of.