The time: just before the start of 2002/3 Season.
The Place: Uncovered.
The Main Protagonists: Blue and White 4ever, Quakerz.

I pasted the below into a text file at the time, thinking it was worth re-posting at the end of that season but understandably had other things to think about!

Number_One Posted on 17/7 17:57 Email this Message | Reply
Our Squad - Comments?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm sure this thread will be abused by Blue & White Cockend, but looking at our squad, bearing in mind the likely arrival of two promising young players and the expected arrival of Whitehead I think it looks strong, usually there 4 or 5 players you wouldn't want to see, or 9 or 10 last season but theres genuinely only the number 11 I would rather not see, it's generally a young squad and we've got rid of a few of the journeyman players and i really do expect maddo to perform this season, and when GR gets his cash in august who knows?

1 Andy Collett
3 Simon Betts
4 Craig Liddle
5 Adam Reed
6 Glenn Naylor
7 Gary Walter Mitty Shithead
8 Ian Clark
9 Mark Ford
10 Neil Maddison
11 Brian Atkinson
12 Danny Mellanby
13 Barry Conlon
14 Paul Campbell
15 Richard Hodgson
16 Neil Wainwright
17 Mark Convery
18 Clark Keltie
19 Mark Sheeran
20 David McGurk
21 Russell Waller
22 Chris Porter
23 Mark Kilty
24 Matt Clarke


IP: Logged
Quakerz Posted on 17/7 18:19 Email this Message | Reply
re: Our Squad - Comments?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I agree.....signing Nicholls, Valentine and Whitehead would give us a balanced squad all the way through, and really there are no bad players like Brumwell, Harper, Jackson, Marcelle etc. I think with the talent available that the team could make a good push for the play offs at least.

However, one step at a time, we need to actually sign Nicholls, Valentine and Whitehead first. If we do, I will be quite happy.

And like you say, when GR gets his money in August, maybe a cheeky bid for Foran at cash strapped Carlisle will follow. GR has shown in the past that he is not frightened to pay a transfer fee for the right player (Conlon, Wainwright, Ford and I.Clark all spring to mind).

If we got all 4 players mentioned (don't know how serious the Foran rumour is though), I would be looking for promotion, because as much as Poolies like to kid themselves to the contrary, we already have the base of a very strong team to build on.

IP: Logged
Blue_and_white_4ever Posted on 17/7 18:39 Email this Message | Reply
Seen as you asked.....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
...I think your problem is all of your premises are based on an ideal world with little to back them up.
eg--you expect maddison to perform (based on what?)
People like sheeran,Clarke (matt), Rundle etc you are hoping do well.
Walter Mitty Shithead --injured already Ford-suspended for 1st 5 games.

You have early season optimism but it is not based on anything concrete.
I predict you wil finish around 14th this season--and that is on the assumption you will get these (unproven)triallists and a striker who of the 400quid a week quality!


IP: Logged
Quakerz Posted on 17/7 18:49 Email this Message | Reply
re: Seen as you asked.....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There is no reason that Matt Clarke, Rundle and Sheeran won't do well. Rundle and Sheeran have already done well when called upon. Clarke was highly regarded at Halifax.

Maddison, what makes you think he won't play well? It was only 2 years ago he was in the Premiership. He played well 2nd half of last season, I expect that to continue.

Walter Mitty Shithead injured already, well thats why we signed Clarke, and hopefully Whitehead, decent players to compete for places in the squad.

Ford suspended for the first 5 games.......well he's available for the other 41. And he will play well. Again, if we get the pacy promising Nicholls, this could give him a chance to prove his worth during Fords suspension, and add to competition for places.

There is plenty to be optimistic about in my opinion.


IP: Logged
Blue_and_white_4ever Posted on 17/7 18:57 Email this Message | Reply
re: Seen as you asked.....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
there is nothing wrong with a dose of optimism I grant you but you can't just assume that every one of your new signings will be a success--for every Paul Smith there is a John Bass.

From what I have seen and heard of Clarke he had mixed reviews at best from Halifax
whitehead--well Carlisle aren't paying his wages unlike some of there players so obviously he is not a lynchpin for them
Valentine (who from this day forth shall be named Shirley) and Nicholls are unknown prospects.
Sheeran and Rundle (and Iknow the latter is supposedly v good) ask yourself did they do well--or just do well for youngsters (there is a big diff)
R U saying Ford won't be suspended at all in the season apart from the first 5 games??

Just a couple of things to think about.

IP: Logged
Charlie_Darlo Posted on 17/7 19:11 Email this Message | Reply
£50million??? - I don't think so

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GR didn't get anywhere near £50m for selling GRUK. Also, who said he was getting it in August? I heard it will be early next year.

Anyway, back to the main business. I think our squad is sound if we get a left back and a pacy midfielder. As far as forwards go, we should hold out for the right one, not another Marcelle or Jackson. Conlon & Clark should be given another go up front before we rush into signing anyone. Also, everyone seems to have forgotten Danny Mellanby, if he's fully fit and his confidence returns, he can do the biz up front aswell. Goals can also come from Sheeran & Naylor.

As far as B&W 4ever is concerned, I have one message. Losing 3 semi-finals doesn't make you a champion, just ask Tim Henman!!!

PS. How many players have pools signed???


IP: Logged
Quakerz Posted on 17/7 19:17 Email this Message | Reply
re: Seen as you asked.....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well we will see. If we sign Whitehead, he won't be in the team with Clarke, its either one or the other. Not all of these players that are possible signings will be automatic first choice fixtures, its all about strengthening the depth of the squad, so we have a squad of decent and promising players at worst. Unlike the previous 2 seasons where the squad had more shite than good. Those players have been pruned away one by one.

For the record, I believe your prediction of 14th will prove to be wide of the mark, and thats going on the squad we have now, not before additions.

IP: Logged
Blue_and_white_4ever Posted on 18/7 9:41 Email this Message | Edit | Reply
14th wide of the mark???

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Don't be so pessimistic Quakerz!

______________Tear Here______________

Final positions that season: Pools 2nd
Darlo....... 14th!