Quote in today's News Of The World from Sam Collins
"There is a lot to improve & we will work hard this summer to put things right & hopefully that could end in us challenging for the play-offs"

After the last two seasons ( which I believe Sam was involved in), anybody else share this viewpoint?

I do!! I think a bit of consistancy would see us move up towards mid-table but a think a very serious challenge for the Play-Offs will take 2-3 seasons IMO.

But if I remember rightly both Chris Turner & Ken Hodcroft said this time last year " We must never be in this situation again" ( or words to that effect). Wholesale changes were made to the playing staff last summer & the end result?........................... I'll leave you to draw your own conclusions

A few key signings and a manager and Collins may have a point. Whether Collins is involved is another matter like!

Hope he is!!! Him and Lids have been solid all season.

Goals against - 67. In the league only.

I know I know nowt, but that's not looking spectacular......

Yeah, our defence has barely conceded any goals. Thank god they have been so solid otherwise we would have maybe found ourselves in a relegation scrap.

If Liddle and Collins have been so 'solid' and Austin and Flinders have been our best players this season then it is pretty damning on Hartley.

Its a team game, 11 players and all that

Yeah but the defence shoulder most of the blame for goals conceded.

I don't think it would take that much for Pools to be pushing for the playoffs (note the word "pushing"). Most of the teams who were involved in a playoff push, even some of the teams who have finished in those postions, did not look anything special or markedly superior to us. They just had more organisation and played their best team as often as they could.