2-0 down in four minutes.

Lord_of_Stranton · **Joined:** Sun Mar 13, 2011 4:48 pm **Posts:** 1852

PoolieTom wrote:

And if possible, sign a new RB, with a bit of pace (someone like the RB for Stevenage)

I haven't seen any of the pre-season friendlies as I don't live in the area but how much has Jordan Richards played? Thought he looked good against a pacy winger when I saw him at Prenton Park.

Ritchies birthmark wrote:

Apperently though there a premiership side so everythings fine

I've heard this rumour that they're apparently in the Premier League too. Weird. Also worth pointing out that eight of their players that featured last night also featured in the match when Newcastle beat Man Utd 3-0. It's just a friendly, we were outclassed by a team literally out of our league. I'm 100% sure we will get a result and a performance far better against Crewe.

Ritchies birthmark · **Joined:** Tue Dec 20, 2011 10:31 am **Posts:** 5637

I hope your right mr stranton

yloop · **Posted:** Wed Aug 08, 2012 2:09 pm

Ritchies birthmark wrote:

[x] now wished I'd give yloop a slap when Stevo pointed him out to me in pearl bar.

PoolieTom · **Joined:** Tue Aug 31, 2010 2:30 am **Posts:** 779

Lord_of_Stranton wrote:

PoolieTom wrote:

And if possible, sign a new RB, with a bit of pace (someone like the RB for Stevenage)

I haven't seen any of the pre-season friendlies as I don't live in the area but how much has Jordan Richards played? Thought he looked good against a pacy winger when I saw him at Prenton Park.

He played 60 minutes or so against Whitby at RB and faired okay. He's certainly got more pace than Austin. Hasn't played in any of the home games, so imagine he played against Spenymoor/Bishop Auckland

Compo · **Posted:** Wed Aug 08, 2012 2:20 pm

Hartley thoughts on the game:

http://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/news/ ... 99620.aspx

Spender · **Posted:** Wed Aug 08, 2012 4:21 pm

Seems like nobody's taking anything from the fact that we got two goals against Premiership sides and three against Championship sides either..... :laugh:

'Waits for the howls of derision.......' bbolt

Joe Mac · **Posted:** Wed Aug 08, 2012 5:08 pm

I didn't really care that much about the result last night, unexpected friendly against a top side, regardless if they are first team or not they are still a good team. They tore us to shreds on the wings which was hard to watch at times. We held our own against Sunderland, Boro and Hull, again 3 games I didn't care that much about the result but was nice to pick something up. The results and performance start to matter this Saturday onwards!

klinger · **Joined:** Wed Aug 27, 2008 5:27 pm **Posts:** 1589

To be honest I think the weight will be on Howard's shoulders.
From what I've seen in the friendlies he will be carrying Luke James.

poolie1966 · **Joined:** Sat Aug 13, 2011 8:55 am **Posts:** 1182

Chip Fireball wrote:

Seems like you can give an honest opinion on here as long as you are saying how great we played, but not the other way round.

Seaton makes a very astute point when he comments that Cooper has put all his eggs in one basket. It certainly seemed a strange move to name his starting eleven for the first game of the season a fortnight ago. I guess that gives a massive boost to you if you are in the eleven, but has to be a bit of a kick in the nuts to anyone outside it, especially the likes of Murray ( player of the year ) and Poole top scorer of our admittedly poor forwards.

We released the likes of Solano, Liddle, Haslam, Larkin, Boyd, and Brown who must all have been on decent money,along with a bunch of kids, so I was expecting some serious squad strengthening.

We have actually signed three players, presumably quality over quantity, hopefully improving the first team, but clearly leaving the squad with a paper thin look. Assuming Nish, Luscombe and Humps, are bit part players at best it leaves us with very little on the bench by way of attacking options. Lots of kids will be on the bench, yet hardly any of them got a look in pre season.

Last season we struggled to create chances and score goals. That is a fact. In the seven first team friendlies we have scored 6 goals. We havent actually scored them against Premiership and Championship sides as one fella suggests, we have scored them against what have largely been their second string. The sort of lads (like Noble) some of whom may well be going out on loan to teams in our division.

I'm not overly worried that our strikers have one goal between them in the seven " proper " friendlies, because I dont put too much emphasis on kickabouts, but when married with the fact our forwards couldnt score goals last season either, there's got to be concerns in that department.

Pools really only have one more season of high season ticket sales to get this right. People want to be entertained and they want to see goals, and if we get another season like the last one, what will the crowds be down to in 2013-2014 ? A good season on the other hand could see us back to 5,000 next season.

I'm not sure how much money is left in the kitty, but it seems to me like there is going to be a lot of weight on young Luke James shoulders if we make no further signings.

At times what you say is excellent & I agree with what you have to say in a lot of things, like this. Then you let yourself down sometimes when you start calling people names who have a different opinion to you. Why do you let yourself get dragged into the gutter when you are clearly one of the more intelligent posters on the board ??

The Lightning Tree · **Joined:** Thu Nov 30, 2006 5:30 pm **Posts:** 5804

Fooook me. He wants to get into bed with him now!!

poolie1966 · **Joined:** Sat Aug 13, 2011 8:55 am **Posts:** 1182

The Lightning Tree wrote:

Fooook me. He wants to get into bed with him now!!

No I dont, I just want everyone to stop calling each other the stupid names. I know a lot of the posters on here know each other, so if you want to call each other names then fair enough, but to get involved in petty squabbling with people you dont even know is silly !!

Yubep · **Joined:** Wed Jan 31, 2007 6:35 pm **Posts:** 25266

Chill phant!

poolie1966 · **Joined:** Sat Aug 13, 2011 8:55 am **Posts:** 1182

Yubep wrote:

Chill phant!

Chrissy Stevo · **Posted:** Wed Aug 08, 2012 8:58 pm

83% of people on here a rarfs anyway I woldnt worry.

poolie1966 · **Joined:** Sat Aug 13, 2011 8:55 am **Posts:** 1182

Chrissy Stevo wrote:

83% of people on here a rarfs anyway I woldnt worry.

I would dread to think what the other 17% are ??

Chrissy Stevo · **Posted:** Wed Aug 08, 2012 9:02 pm

poolie1966 wrote:

Chrissy Stevo wrote:

83% of people on here a rarfs anyway I woldnt worry.

I would dread to think what the other 17% are ??

Decent folk with a lot of good valid points and the ability to debate without resorting to name calling.

Joe Mac · **Posted:** Wed Aug 08, 2012 9:12 pm

I would like to have seen more of Poole pre season, at times James looked to have struggled

returnofaido · **Posted:** Wed Aug 08, 2012 10:08 pm

poolie1966 wrote:

Chip Fireball wrote:

Why do you let yourself get dragged into the gutter when you are clearly one of the more intelligent posters on the board ??

ah, so he's got you fooled too eh ? he's actually thick as fook :shhh:

Jonny · **Posted:** Wed Aug 08, 2012 10:53 pm

We play narrow at times because Sweeney isn't able to get hold of the ball and control things by increasing tempo or slowing it down. The team that Cooper is favouring will hopefully work in league one but like some have said he seems to have decided pretty quick who's in and who's not. Sweeney will get us goals especially with someone like Howard up top but how many will he cost us if we fail to control the centre of the park?

I think we have a decent team and good players in the squad but I hope Cooper doesn't prove to be too loyal to players who don't perform.....

Spender · **Posted:** Thu Aug 09, 2012 5:38 pm

It'll be OK. Some people have been forecasting doom for the last ten years, but we're still in the best period in the clubs history. Even when we got relegated we came straight back. I can't see who we should be scared of.

Is there seriously not four worse teams than us in this division?? On the other hand, are there four better teams than anyone can name before a balls been kicked in anger? :laugh:

Lord_of_Stranton · **Joined:** Sun Mar 13, 2011 4:48 pm **Posts:** 1852

Realistically I think all of us would. I don't think anybody is saying we are in the top five sides of this division so unless I've missed something or misunderstood you Mr Fireball I can't see what your point is.

Lord_of_Stranton · **Joined:** Sun Mar 13, 2011 4:48 pm **Posts:** 1852

Chip Fireball wrote:

Errr the last line of the post immediately above mine asks :

"On the other hand, are there four better teams than (us) anyone can name before a balls been kicked in anger? :laugh:

I viewed that as a bit of a joke myself, but you make a valid point. My prediction is 11th this season.

To add to your point about a team upsetting the apple-cart, there's always the opposite as well. Charlton/Sheffield Wednesday in 10/11, Preston in 11/12. I can see Colchester having an absolute shocker of a season personally.

Compo · **Posted:** Fri Aug 10, 2012 10:00 am

My mate who is a Coventry fan is seriously worried that they wont do well this season and isnt looking forward to them playing Pools.

Ritchies birthmark · **Joined:** Tue Dec 20, 2011 10:31 am **Posts:** 5637

Chip Fireball wrote:

Errr the last line of the post immediately above mine asks :

"On the other hand, are there four better teams than (us) anyone can name before a balls been kicked in anger? :laugh:

My point was Yeah, I'd have a stab at naming them.

According to the bookies POOLS are 18/1 to get promoted and 5/2 to get relegated. The only sides considered weaker than us are Portsmouth, Yeovil, Walsall, Bury, Orient and Oldham.

Obviously 'only the bookies opinion and every season without fail at least one team upsets the applecart like Stevenage did last season. I can see us finishing mid table, but the squad at the moment is surely too weak to be
expected to challenge the likes of Sheff Utd, Coventry and MK Dons over 46 games.

Thats not being defeatist its just being realistic.

Add to the 3 you mentioned carlilse Crawley and stevenage. As a fan my heart says of course we can challenge for the top 6 but im being honest I can see a mid-bottom half finish. Our squad is very thin. A few major Injuries would be very hard to see us replace with quality. I think though if we sorted out the left side then we could be a comfartable top half team. Horwood at left back with Monkhouse on the wing says trouble in my opinion. I just see huge problems defensively and in attack. I know iv banged on about horwood in the past but i just can't see how he keeps his place every week and Holden is constantly overlooked. I'd much prefer him if selected to play on the wing. He has a cracking left foot and could be perfect for Howard with good service. As for Monkhouse he's a winger who dosnt take anybody on and very rarely delivers crosses. If we change those 2 positions then I'd say we'll be 10th and if not I'd say 16th. We Definately need more cover in my humble opinion

The Lightning Tree · **Joined:** Thu Nov 30, 2006 5:30 pm **Posts:** 5804

My concerns are both full backs.
I'm hoping both Holden and Rowbotham are ready this season to grab the full back slots from Horwood and Austin.

Ritchies birthmark · **Joined:** Tue Dec 20, 2011 10:31 am **Posts:** 5637

Correction comfartable!!

Pj did ya see it Eeeeeeeeee how funny is that eh

born toulouse · **Posted:** Fri Aug 10, 2012 2:07 pm

I can't help optimistic feelings before any season starts. If Steve Howard bullies defences, and Luke James starts to fulfill his potential and James Poole does too. And if Walton is a young Murray and Franks does some accurate crossing and Coops makes some cunning loan signings when they're needed, we'll be fine for the play-offs.

There are a lot of ifs there but you've got to have a dream, if you don't have dream then how are you...

born toulouse · **Posted:** Fri Aug 10, 2012 2:16 pm

Meant to add that I like the idea of 'comfartable'. Just had a nice lunch with a few drinks and there is a good match on the telly. Lie back on the sofa and you notice something brewing- you're feeling good and comfartable.

2-0 down in four minutes.

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