See the Birmingham Mail and a few other football sites have picked up on the Fail's story yesterday that Brad Walker could be off to Wolves or Wigan after turning down his contract offer from Pools. Compensation would have to be paid as he's under 24 and has played a fair number of games for us.

It'd be more plausible if it was a story emanating from those clubs, and might be just Brad's agent touting for interest (or a better offer from Pools?).

How bothered would people be if he did move on?

I like how the Mail classes him as "pacey"

Pompey also in for him.

Would depend on the level of compensation for me. If it was Wolves finally consumating their long running multi-manager affair with Brad I'd want extra for putting up with their years of dithering. He's a lot of things, many good, but 'strangely stiff of limb' would be a fairer assessment than pacy when it comes to movement

His breakthrough season he was nothing short of sensational. Last season at centre half again I thought he was immense. The bit in the middle was strange and disappointing.

I think he is above National League level and will prove that.

Decent compo is essential but id be sorry to see him leave however Good Luck to him.

If he signs for anyone outside of non-league as a centre mid, it would easily be the strangest transfer on record.

Would prefer him to stay as a CB over Scott Harrison, but unfortunately he has already signed a new contract

I think whether he goes or stays he needs to be back in midfield. Hopefully he'll have learned from his spell as an emergency centre back that staying involved in the game for 90 minutes is a minimum requirement for a midfielder too.

I'm getting a little pissed off with players who have played plenty of games in a relegated side suddenly thinking they are better than the National League. Zero loyalty in football, perhaps shut up and right the wrongs of last season.

Of course I could conclude that I don't want anybody at Pools who doesn't have the heart for the fight, so any can go in my book.

Imagine a Wigan midfield of Laurent and Walker. Two player who've looked very promising for us but never looked like fulfilling their potential for whatever reasons yet still managed to move upwards.

Good luck to him, not sure what went wrong but it was evident he had talent.

He's not mobile or agile enough in mind or body to make a good career in midfield in my opinion. He's best suited to playing at the back facing the play and keeping it simple. I think that is his chance of resurrecting an ok professional career

I heard he's been on trial at Crewe and Wigan are defo interested

After the disappointment of relegation and having time to reflect on Pools footballing matters losing Walker doesn't stress me. From potentially one of our best academy lads to his indifferent performances concerns me; does he have lifestyle issues? Perhaps a move to another club will be good for him? Good luck to him.
Also, for me, let rest of senior squad go, continue to recruit in quality players but hang onto Podge at virtually any cost !

I'd be pleasantly surprised if anybody from the league above paid a fee for Podge.

EDIT: I'm very happy for this to be laughed at when he fires us to promotion.

See Roy Kelly reckons Nicky Featherstone is "likely to move on" as well.

Dunno how I feel about that. With Luke George alongside him to kick people, he might finally come into his own.

Agreed - I'd like to see him alongside Luke George, but you can't really say no to Barcelona.

That was tomorrow's Fail scoop!

I could never understand some fans critical views of Featherstone; generally played the ball either sideways or backwards rarely forwards and too slow they claimed. I always maintained he was a well positioned midfielder who read the game well but rarely gave the ball away cheaply! He's another player if he goes elsewhere, good luck, improve the midfield quality.

This ^

Since when did players that did appallingly badly in the division above be deemed to be good enough to get the team back up the following season?

Just curious.

In an interview towards the back end of last season Walker said he saw his career in midfield, playing CB was just temporary. I'd like to keep him as a defender so if he leaves to play further up the pitch and we get paid that doesn't concern me too much.

I think the amount of players already gone or attracting interest from league clubs show we didn't have a bad squad, they just didn't complement each other and Featherstone is the prime example of that. He is a good footballer, he knows his job and does it well but generally he played with woods who wanted to do the exact same thing. Had he played alongside a goal scoring midfielder and/or a bit of a kicker like Luke George then I think it'd have masked his weaknesses. If he goes as well then so be it, I think Woods will probably deal with the physical side of a bit better.

I agree with Chip but I can't forget Leyton Orient away, Barnet at Vic, Cheltenham away, desperately poor team performances and then last home match against a very good Doncaster side but a Pools awesome performance - - explain the footballing rationale please someone!

HE looked 100% better when HE went into the back four, WE only gained 1pt from 9 against teams around us in Orient, Cheltenham and Morecambe as he got better....scratchy head smiley.

Individual or bigger picture.

If he wants to go, let him go.
He has the potential, but ........
Can't say I'm losing any sleep over it.

Since when did players that did appallingly badly in the division above us become deemed too good for the conference and in need of securing a move to a League 2, League 1 or Championship club??

The world's gone mad. Fancy Everton agreeing a £30 million deal to sign Jordan Pickford! Do they not know Sunderland got relegated last season?