"Meanwhile, Bates has confirmed that he will have absolutely no fear throwing the kids into his side against Ebbsfleet today and beyond.

One of the criticisms from the terraces was that previous boss Craig Harrison did not have trust in the youth at the club, rarely turning to them even though a number were named on Pools’ bench when squad numbers dwindled.

Bates says every player will be picked on their merits, no matter what age.

“I had a chat with the players and I told them that I need everyone’s backing,” said 31-year-old Bates.

“We have a small squad but I am prepared to put youth team players in if they want to play more than the first-team players.

“That is not a threat it is just the way it is, the way I do things.”

The idea that Harrison wasn't bring subs on to save on appearance money always sounded a bit daft. It was Craig's managerial genius all along.

"We have a small squad....." ???

I know that we have shed a few but we started with a huge squad by NL standards so I doubt that it is not out of line for the league we are in!
The comment suggests that there is still an EFL div 2 mindset at the club.

The current first-team squad was down to 21 players - not counting Bates, who clearly hung up his boots at the end of last season, whatever is said to the contrary. There hasn't been a single picture of him this season in a Pools strip, he's in a tracksuit on the pre-season photo and needless to say has never been mentioned in the context of a match day squad.

Young Jacob Owen and Liam Pritchard have been added recently, but Catterick, Cunningham, Hawkes, Owen and Pritchard don't have a first-team start between them.

So that's 18 'regulars' of whom Munns, Donaldson and Richardson have been out for ages, Ledger hardly ever plays and is back at Sunderland for treatment at the minute, and Donnelly hasn't played for weeks but might be in contention today.

Including Donnelly and perpetual sick-note Luke George, that's 14 first-teamers and 5 kids to pick from, including the reserve goalie. If Bates does pick any of the young lads to start they will be making their first-team debuts. The squad is down to the bones of its arse however you look at it.

I Can't believe Bates is still only 31 years old has he even retired from playing? If not I think it's time to get him fit again and get Scott Harrison out that back four, Yeah I know bates is injury prone but I'd rather have Bates in the back for than Harrison any where near it at least we will have a little expirence with bates in there. I noticed that munns wasn't even in the squad on Saturday to what happend to him?

Bates always gave me the impression he didn't really want to be on the pitch despite being pretty decent. That said wasn't he on shit loads of tablets to get through games?

Not sure they were prescription ones though