What d'you reckon the chances are of Ronnie Moore being able to extend Ryan Bird's loan deal? The game against Mansfield will be his last of the current month; Pools play Cambridge the week after and they're not looking comfortable - only 6 points off a relegation place.

I'm afraid the likelihood is they'll do a Mansfield and get him back to the club for the run in to the end of the season. Just as well Ronnie has sent Jones back to the Borer because it looks like we'll be needing another forward in on emergency loan!

Speaking of Mansfield, Rakish came off the bench to score the winner for them last night, so he might well start against us on Saturday.

Ronnie confirmed that Jones will be coming back.

I find that article a bit strange. Boro are not happy with the little game time he has had but are sending him back? Surely that must mean Moore has agreed to up his game time and since he said wingers dont fit into 3-5-2 (Hence him leaving Compton out of squads) then im worried he is thinking about going back to 4-4-2.

Unless he expects him to play upfront when Bird goes back??

It doesn't seem to be on the OS yet.

I doubt very much that Moore would be prepared to go as far as to guarantee Jones his game to get him back in the squad. Hope not anyway!

Fair point but im not sure where he would fit into this system at all (I certainly cant imagine him in centre mid) and Moore makes very few subs as is so he wont get many minutes off the bench.

Im just scared he is going to revert to 4-4-2 at home

I liked 4-3-3 and yes it would suit Jones I guess being one of the front 3.

However we have 3 solid centre backs, an excellent wing back and 3 solid centre mids.

3-5-2 suits us and allows our best players to play in their best positions.

Jones could be the alternative up front for Bird, against Cambridge. No I'm not advocating it, but Bird wont be able to play against Cambridge (parent club) if I'm right league rules don't allow it nowadays. So then it Franks with Morgan / Harewood. That doesn't fill me with to much confidence,

Indeed, isnt Birds loan up before the Cambridge game anyway?

The difference with playing 3-5-2 is we have 11 players who are at least trying. Bring in Harewood/ Compton (to inconsistent) is like playing with 9 men so 3-5-2 is the obvious way for the remaining games(IMO)

Not sure about when Bird's loan is up

BBC sport has him(Bird) signing on loan on 25th February, so one month loan expires 25th March. So loan up 3 days before we play them, even if extended then we'd need someone else to play in his place.

Surprisingly, neither is Bird.

dont think jones is at all what we need in a relegation battle, to small/weak/and as yet poor imo

Bingham liked it here too much, they wont dare start him incase he isn't 100% in the right frame of mind to score against us

The Hartlepool mail says 'Bird is unlikely to figure in either of the upcoming home games'

Cambridge game I can understand but why Mansfield??

If the loan ends on 25th & Cambridge won't extend it then could be that they don't want to risk Bird getting injured so have said he doesn't play against Mansfield.

Not sure on Jones but then again the thought of Marlon or Morgan up front sparks fear in me.

Its gotta be Jones up there if there's no other choices apart from Marlon and Morgan..

Nah, it will probably just be the Mail being wrong as usual.

The OS says:

"Ronnie Moore could name an unchanged starting eleven for the third game in a row after his new-look line-up recorded back-to-back victories on the road."

So probably Bird plays

He has to name the same team, no reason to change at all unless it's down to injuries.

Yeah he was just pointing that out as the Mail said he was unlikely to play in next two games. Didnt give any reason why like.