We remember the Vince Barker days when we had ti put a few good results together to get half of today's support.
We not asking for miracles but something seriously wrong with the acceptance of the depths of lowness our club has sank to.
Social media dosent help and radio fone ins were this smallish new breed of fans claim superfan status forqccepting shite n cyber bullying antone who cares n questions how utter shite our club has become.



But its only Football

many of todays fans are only happy if there club is pushing for promotions no matter what league they are in. if we end up as i predicted as middle of our present league would it be any less enjoyable as finishing middle of the championship. just because you play championship football is no guarentee of seeing better games week in week out. for me a win is a win no matter what league we are in and who our opponents are and so are defeats.

No one is wanting raj to leave the club and basically leave it in the mire. Why would he ? He wouldnt get a penny if he did. Im not sure even us that claim we can be way better have unrealistic ambition. What i want and i presume most others a team competitng against the best in this league with a squad that can handle injuries or even better a squad ready for when a season starts. Once again we all knew going into this season a few injuries would kill us. Whether we have been unlucky or not we knew this could happen.

We have a fantastic opportunity without the money bag teams in the league this year of doing something, yet we are sleep walking down the table.

As for future ambitions a brief flirt in league 1 would be nice again before were all too old to go.

I think it comes down to experience of being a Poolie- the older ones on here remember the constant battle just to exist- annual re-elections, bailiffs turning up for the goalposts etc I'm mid forties so remember some of those dark days - though not all.

Some of the younger generation only remember us challenging for the playoffs under Turner, onwards- so haven't lived through the hand to mouth existence of the club under the stewardship of Vince Barker and John Smart.

Now football is obviously a very different beast from those days of the 70's and 80's. However we all support the same club- we all want to win every game, of course we do BUT we have to be realistic too. We are Hartlepool NOT Liverpool!

We have had a reasonably good start, a manager who knows the level and has proven previously that he can work to a budget.

It does seem to me though that some on here, like to catastrophise every point dropped and suddenly proclaim that we are doomed to end up in the Dog and Duck league - which quite frankly is becoming tiresome.

Get behind the team, manager and ownership as that's what we have or find another team if this is proving too stressful for you to cope with!

Exactly this the acceptance of the way things have gone on since the challinor farce of new contracts and how we have just meandered to where we are now,is staggering for a club still pulling well over 4000 in. Getting pummelled off oxford city should of been another wake up call a few weeks ago, but we just plod on.

We arent liverpool but we also dont have to be a gateshead or spennymoor.

We arent liverpool but we also dont have to be a gateshead or spennymoor.[/quote]

I don't believe I suggested that or even implied that to be the case- but you crack on searching for the darkness in every scenario!

But you keep telling us, under the present regime it is as good as it gets. In fact you are suggesting its going to get worse.
And if your interpretation of Raj's attitude of running the club is correct. in that he is not prepared to do anything about it, then it probably will get worse.
You keep expecting a man who is running the club to do something which for years you have been telling us he either isn't capable or willing to do.
Until someone comes along who is prepared to buy and invest in the club, he is all we've got and despite the attempts of you and others to piss him off, he is keeping the club going. Yes it is a limbo existence but it is slightly better than nothing.

I don't believe I suggested that or even implied that to be the case- but you crack on searching for the darkness in every scenario![/quote]

You said were hartlepool not liverpool, im suggesting we dont need to be a gateshead or spennymoor either. Thats not looking for a darkness in every scenario, thats saying we can do way better than rolling over and accepting we have to be rubbish.

When we were on the edge of the abyss, no body in the town stepped up.
So….would the naysayers rather the club quietly died?
Reminds of that famous cartoon of two squaddies in a shell crater getting getting hammered by shellfire and one complains continuously till the other turns round and say….”If you know a better hole, go to it” ..and that’s Pools predicament in a nutshell.

Hang about, that sounds like anyone who has an opposite opinion is bullying you.

If you come on a message board there’s always gonna be someone with a different opinion, it goes with the territory. You win some, you lose some.

OK what’s your master plan to change things, because the same things were being said on here about Raj at in the first half of the season for appointing Challinor and signing Oates. We got that one wrong .

You said were hartlepool not liverpool, im suggesting we dont need to be a gateshead or spennymoor either. Thats not looking for a darkness in every scenario, thats saying we can do way better than rolling over and accepting we have to be rubbish.[/quote]



Who accepts it? We don’t have a choice in the matter, no fan does, we’re just hanging on and have been since the first ever footy match kicked off against the Flintstones.
The only people who can change it are the people with money, I have none to spare so I stopped having puppies every time we lost a loooooong time ago and realised you either chill out or end up with a ulcer.

We are not rubbish though- we are competitive in what is a fairly even league - all teams are capable of beating one another on the day. It's just about consistency - but that's why it's the conference - players can look like world beaters, one game and pub footballers the next.

Alty beat Cheaterfield and we got a draw.

Yes we lost at Oxford City which was embarrassing, no doubt about it- but context tells you that we had injuries (not an excuse) but played on a plastic pitch on the hottest day of the year

I believe plastic should be banned - it's definitely an advantage - not sure either Sutton or Betty's Boys would be in the EFL had they had a proper pitch, during the years they were both promoted. Bromley another one- who collect most of their points-on the plastic, we ripped them a new one in the playoffs at the Vic, on grass.

I'm not saying things couldn't be better but neither do I think we need to press the panic button.

It wasn't that long ago (well 20+ years) that both Scunny & Southend were in the old Division 2 (now Championship).

How times have changed and for the Grace of God it shows how fickle this football game is.

Oldham Athletic have been in the Premiership.

This is sounding exactly like it did last year. The rose tinted mob in full flow again. I even read someone say that Hartley was a 'disappointment'. That's not how you spell 'absolute disaster'.

Jamie, I live in a world where numerous clubs the same size as us are not blundering from one car crash to another and are not a proper cake and arse party behind the scenes. I would like us to be a normal club like them. If you think this is too much to ask or if you equate that to a demand for millions to be spent and an IOResque type era then you desperately need to go away and do some more thinking.

Since the injuries we are bordering on rubbish, relegation form. This team now is the one that barring a few changes will see us through this season. As for oxford yeah i get the injuries affected us, but come on hottest day of the year, i thought we were playing part timers? The pitch yeah they should be ripped up, but were conceding 2 goals a game against anyone and everyone.

If someone offered me 50 points now with this defence id snatch there hands off.

I'm not excusing the capitulation - but it was the hottest day of the year on a plastic pitch. Players are not going to be too keen to slide into tackles on that surface normally- let alone when it's 30 odd degrees. Difference is Oxford play on it every other week, so know the bounce and how it will play.

Askey even said that was one of the reasons he picked the side he did (no Lacey/ Wallace) as the surface would have further aggravated his injury.

I don't disagree that we need to shore up the defence - kind of stating the obvious. The manager is aware of that as well as set pieces for and against- said as much in the post match interview.

On the plus side (which you obviously won't want to hear) we are scoring plenty of goals from all over the pitch. Think it's only the centre halves that are yet to score- though they need to concentrate on keeping it out of our net first.

On tees tonite.
Part owners son
Pools pundit
Pools fans contacting the show.
All stateing the obvious of the squad is way to small.
This problem aint Rocket Science.
JA can only be as good as hes allowed to be.
As this season goes on and patience wanes thin then obviously the chairman / manager will come under Scrutinization.
Which usually means bye bye anutha goodish cv manager bites the dust.
UTP.
Results buisness by the way.

Yeah- agree with all of that

We needed additional players before the injuries happened - so that is still the case.
JA is doing his best with what he's got
Yes we need more bodies, but can't just sign people for the sake of it- like Curle did, regardless of quality.

Hopefully Raj can see that JA has done well so far (which given he extended his contract is fairly likely) and he can find some funds to allow him to further strengthen the squad.

As been said previously we don't know the financials so it's pure speculation as to who and how many we may or may not sign , either on loan or permanently. We may need to offload a couple too.

I hadn't realised it was a results business - thanks for the heads up.

Why would i not want to hear that we are scoring plenty of goals? I dont get this stance from the more patient brigade that think because i think we should be doing better, it is afterall one of our lowest postions ever in over 100 years that i dont want us to do well, yet its me telling most on here we can and should be doing better?

I think it must be a badge of honour with some pools fans that they think they must not criticise under any circumstances. If things keep going the way they are since injuries one man will take the brunt, and off will go another decent manager. We are sleepwalking into more trouble this season unless askey is given some sort of chance.

Its not rocket science but the way we go on you would think it was. What did we do last week? We signed two players and they have played about 3 minutes between them, would it not make sense to have saved on those two wages and put it towards a decent central defender, if were struggling so much. The next excuse from us will be well the squads too big we need to move a few out before long.

just hat will really make you happy about pools mate. you make some good points along the way but they get lost in the constant moans and negativity about the club. doubt there is a singlee fan totally happy about the club at the moment but cannot do sod all about it but give the team support on matchdays. if we were unbeaten riding high at the top of the league i feel you,d be stating its only early days now and there is still over three quarters of the season to go for pools to fuck it up.

Yes it does sound tediously like last year……it shows how petty it’s got when you are so wound up because ‘disappointment’ doesn’t come up to your standard of ‘ absolute disaster’ on the outrage scale…..jeeez
As for rose your mythical rose tinted mob, you mean those who have a different viewpoint and aren’t getting the hyper vapours and clutching their handbags because ‘standards’ aren’t being achieved…whatever they are.
Chill out, saves on your blood pressure.

You summed it up nicely….nowt more to say.

Not at all i was buzzing when we were top like i expect everyone was, constant moans and negativity isnt brought on by me its brought on by 2 years of rubbish on the pitch.

You’ve answered the question, …when we were top……, but that was transient, I wasn’t buzzing when we were top because I never expected that to last long, I was pleased ….. but it’s a grind with a long way to go with ups and downs.

Yet snowy you are the one worried about us reaching 50 points.

how does the song go, sing when we,re winning. a fraction of a second or inch can make the difference between a win and defeat and if a player is deemed to have had a good game or not.

And the same hounding of Raj, the same doom and gloom, the same noises as to the chairman not spending enough money, even though you have no idea as to where we are financially, are still coming from you.
So yes ii is sounding like last year.
Once again I'm gonna tell you that until someone else takes the club on. Raj is all we have. What is rose tinted about that fact. I don't know anybody among the group of Pools supporters that I know who wants to be in this league There's nobody on here who wants to be in this league. Most of us realise we are where we are with an owner who is keeping the club ticking over and no good is going to come from driving him out, without an alternative to take over. Then there's you and others who don't have rose tinted specs but are blindfold to the fact that by carrying on in the manner you are the chances of the club being back in dire straits looms nearer and nearer, if you succeed in your quest to hound the owner out.
As for clubs like us. Are you referring to the Scunthorpes, Oldhams, Torquays, Halifaxes, Darlingtons, Burys, Yorks etc etc etc of this world. All of which sit below us in the football pyramid.
We all have to get behind and support what we've got and it just might get better and people like you who revel in any setback (or car crash using your description) need to curb it a bit BECAUSE AS SUPPORTERS THAT IS ALL WE CAN DO.
Before you ask the questions. Why can't we criticise or aren't we allowed to express dissatisfaction, of course you can but, as has been said before by others, you are becoming boring with your relentless hounding of a man who saved us when nobody else was interested and is keeping us ticking along until we can entice a better alternative, if such a thing exists. You've made your point ad nauseam but what have you achieved. The square root of sod all. If the club's current situation makes you unhappy then either stay away or support one of the clubs who you are waxing lyrical about, although I'm not sure any other club would welcome someone as demanding as you.

Of course he does as I and a lot more do every single season.
It is usually the norm to first get to fifty cos that is usually the benchmark for safety, then go from there.
My stance is get to fifty, right now try for the play offs and the dizzy heights of number one.
Like Sweeney I used five match targets as well.
So far we are averaging eight per five match but it is only a start. long way to go. But I'll take fifty first.

If they are going to have a fire sale on their bigger earners - Pools should be looking their defender we had a bid in for the ex York player and if fit the ex Gateshead lad who went to Notts Forest then Aberdeen too.

in reply to derwents earlier post its funny how the talk of a takeover and raj,s name was mentioned less when we had that good start. dare lose a few games and both starts getting mentioned once again.

Correct….but I’m going to hope we actually do succeed and prove I was wrong, but after the last two seasons, being a bit cautious is the only option.
Despite what some may say, there are no rose tinted glasses in my possession, I lost them in my first full season at Pools…but I travel in hope, otherwise why are here…?

I agree 100% we should be doing better, But i also see at times a very poor attitude on the pitch.
Like a deluded Arrogance
And that is something JA has to deal with along with his captain.

Repeating what i have said before Featherstone had a go at players not pulling their weight.
Don,t believe Fergie has that part to his game, Managers choice though.

If a Captain doesn’t lead or ignored, he shouldn’t be Captain.

You are captain to lead, You are nobodys friend at times and that usually lasts around 96mins each match day.
Some have to be kept on their toes constantly.

but is ours the only real alternative for the job. really cannot see any of the others doing the job.

Not knowing the personalities of the players, that’s hard to answer, but if you’re given the job, do it…or move over, there’s always someone who thinks they can.

think a number of other managers have stated in the past that our players are too nice and quiet on the pitch. can anyone imagine a big dressing rooms bust up after a game with our currant and recent squad of players.

And It's only 9 years since Luton were in our league, how quickly things can change if your lucky enough.

but who really cares when clubs do the opposite and might disappear for good apart from lower league fans and fans of that club themselves. all they are to those at the top are todays chip paper.

Quote from Scunny Chairman replying to a fan who had a go regarding disrespecting the fans " Do you think I give two fooks what your spastic fans think? There to stupid to do anything about anything. You and the rest of the idiots buy the club because it will not get another penny from me.It can die for all I care and then let's see who's laughing.

Just to be fair just noticed some fans believe its a real quote some think it could be false.

Soon get the truth it's being investigated by various football sites who are taking this very serious.

Some are saying this Chairman (Scunny's) is worse than Ron Martin at Southend. That's a complement for RM!

So the current owner has now withdrawn funding, the club now has to vacate Glanford Park and will now play their home games at Gainsborough Trinitys ground.

https://www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk/new ... ub-update/

Gainsborough arnt happy.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66947495

Well its a mess thats for sure

massive shame and the FA should stop this from happening - big club from a small town with decent history.

remember when they where in the championship and a lad from my year who played for the Boro went to play for them on good money too.

anyways wonder if we can now have that CB from them who choose them over us !