Who's optimistic ..

bresslaw · **Joined:** Sat Aug 19, 2006 10:45 am **Posts:** 2411

......and why ?

This is a genuine question, not a whinge before anyone starts moaning

monkeybutt · **Posted:** Tue Apr 28, 2015 5:05 pm

I have been in a really upbeat mood since Saturday, it be spring in the air or the fact we are safe, thinking positive that a Russian gent with a wedge will be visiting the tummy tickler with a brown envelope because of the media exposure we get!

HonestPoolie · **Joined:** Mon Dec 08, 2014 3:46 pm **Posts:** 663

As soon as Ronnie came in I was optimistic for next season. At the time he said no matter what league we are in we should be aiming for promotion. Obviously its too soon to be expecting this but we have momentum to take into next season and a real manager who'll stand up for what the team needs.

pooliecrab · **Joined:** Tue Dec 16, 2014 9:31 pm **Posts:** 6028

bresslaw wrote:

......and why ?

This is a genuine question, not a whinge before anyone starts moaning

Whinging bastad!

I'm optimistic provided Ronnie is definitely staying and is allowed to bring in who he wants. However that optimism is heavily weighed down by the fact your mate Russ and Ken control our football club. The fans would get more sense out of the club if it were ran by Kim Jong Un.

404: not found · **Joined:** Mon Aug 18, 2014 9:17 pm **Posts:** 10

Chip Fireball wrote:

From a Pools perspective I remain unconvinced things will get much better. We have survived in large part due to the abysmal form of two other teams. Our own recent record has hardly been inspiring, so not sure what momentum there is there, one home win against an average side hardly suggests a massive sea change. We were pretty awful in the 3 or 4 games before that, and havent played any really good football for months. Certainly the performances against York and Accrington didnt suggest we looked like a promotion side.

Moores record is good, but in terms of points per game over a whole season it would still leave us in the bottom half. Largely because we are a very limited side with very few players capable of playing at a higher level, and very little star quality. We have a few real grafters in the side, but Moore hasnt beaten a side in the top 6, and the only way that will change if he is given money to invest.

Will he be given money ? I find that hard to believe under IOR as they clearly haven't go a pot to piss in. Hodcroft and Green have also proven to be appalling decision makers, and have shown a consistent inability to attract investment, largely because they are unwilling to relinquish control over anything relating to the football club.

Were they offer seats on the board to potential investors and encourage open and honest dialouge with the fans then things could really change for the better on the back of the last few months. Cant see it happening though myself.

Cheer up!!

pooliecrab · **Joined:** Tue Dec 16, 2014 9:31 pm **Posts:** 6028

Chip Fireball wrote:

Were they offer seats on the board to potential investors and encourage open and honest dialouge with the fans then things could really change for the better on the back of the last few months. Cant see it happening though myself.

This might be their only choice, it seems unlikely now though. Once the trust gathers momentum we have to hope the owners are willing to negotiate. If they truly are 'Pools saviour', as reported in a well discussed article, and have the clubs interest at heart it is surely the only feasible investment they could expect.
A lot of fans would be reluctant to plough any funds from the trust into the club while Ken and Russ are still connected however, myself included. It would require, as you pointed out, them to relinquish some of their control.

billygoatblue · **Joined:** Fri Dec 12, 2014 11:30 am **Posts:** 606

More optimistic than before last season (when I thought conference footy was a cert) but still only expect us to finish about 17th-20th in league.

As stated IOR will not invest in the team when so much of our turnover is used for administrative costs. However Ronnie has been successful on a limited budget before, plus is well connected which is useful for decent loans. Long term if we don't see a change in owners then more likely to go down than up.

Brian Honour's Left Foot · **Posted:** Tue Apr 28, 2015 6:04 pm

Maybe, just maybe, Ken and Russ are thinking 'Jeez, we can't let this happen again, we've got to change things, to have any chance of escaping......'.

I'm not saying that they'll rustle up stacks of cash - but a few positive changes, starting with better PR.....well, I live in hope and my delusional difficulties will continue...

bresslaw · **Joined:** Sat Aug 19, 2006 10:45 am **Posts:** 2411

My friends ???

misterb2001 · **Posted:** Tue Apr 28, 2015 6:25 pm

I'm optimistic that with Moore in charge we won't get relegated, but that's about it. Moore's only currently contracted to December, which needs to change immediately.

On the squad front I remain convinced we have the basis for a decent young team. Plenty of potential. However as we saw this season and last, we need decent, experienced players, not ones who are over the hill.

An experienced Centre back, an experienced captain type centre mid, a creative winger and 2 strikers, are a must.

If the playing budget isn't cut (again) then we might just be able to get the above.

Same as every season lately, the manager will be judged on the players he brings in and Christ are we in desperate need for Moore to get it right.

Brian Honour's Left Foot · **Posted:** Tue Apr 28, 2015 7:34 pm

misterb2001 wrote:

I'm optimistic that with Moore in charge we won't get relegated, but that's about it. Moore's only currently contracted to December, which needs to change immediately.

On the squad front I remain convinced we have the basis for a decent young team. Plenty of potential. However as we saw this season and last, we need decent, experienced players, not ones who are over the hill.

An experienced Centre back, an experienced captain type centre mid, a creative winger and 2 strikers, are a must.

If the playing budget isn't cut (again) then we might just be able to get the above.

Same as every season lately, the manager will be judged on the players he brings in and Christ are we in desperate need for Moore to get it right.

Pretty much spot on - although the squad is paper thin. I'd love to see two narky forwards like Hugill and Fenwick - we have been 'too nice' in recent years - and a Widdrington/ Emmerson character in the middle; in L2 you need grit...........

TFP · **Joined:** Thu Nov 20, 2014 7:25 pm **Posts:** 155

On paper, there is the spine of a decent side in the squad - Harrison, Jones, Woods, Featherstone, Fenwick and possibly Flinders if he can get back to the player he was. Plus one of those looks like he might be a 20-goal a season striker of which there are very few in our league. And there should be some cash freed up with some of the bigger earners off the wage bill.

However, there's no guarantee that Ronnie will get the money to spend and we still need five or six players who can slot straight into the first team. That's a big ask.

PJPoolie · **Joined:** Wed Mar 06, 2013 6:28 pm **Posts:** 15342

I don't think we can have an realistic ambition of promotion after the season we've had but I'm pretty optimistic under Moore we'll be nowhere the bottom. It's not a great league and margins between the bottom six and and top ten aren't great. We went from nearly going down under Turner to 7th without having a particularly expensive or great team. Decent spine, fitness and organisation throw in a goal scorer and you win games at this level. You saw a bobbins team like York get in the play offs last season.

I'm massively optimistic purely because I don't need to know where fucking Braintree is!

Dalton'sHaircut · **Joined:** Sun Oct 05, 2014 9:26 pm **Posts:** 1013

If what I was told a while back is true Miller, Parnaby and Bates were on 1 year with the option of a second. Obviously can't guarantee that's true but if it is we may have some leeway

misterb2001 · **Posted:** Tue Apr 28, 2015 9:33 pm

Dalton'sHaircut wrote:

If what I was told a while back is true Miller, Parnaby and Bates were on 1 year with the option of a second. Obviously can't guarantee that's true but if it is we may have some leeway

Mr Irrelevant · **Joined:** Thu Aug 17, 2006 8:25 pm **Posts:** 22676

pooliecrab wrote:

Chip Fireball wrote:

Were they offer seats on the board to potential investors and encourage open and honest dialouge with the fans then things could really change for the better on the back of the last few months. Cant see it happening though myself.

This might be their only choice, it seems unlikely now though. Once the trust gathers momentum we have to hope the owners are willing to negotiate. If they truly are 'Pools saviour', as reported in a well discussed article, and have the clubs interest at heart it is surely the only feasible investment they could expect.
A lot of fans would be reluctant to plough any funds from the trust into the club while Ken and Russ are still connected however, myself included. It would require, as you pointed out, them to relinquish some of their control.

The trust will not hand over cash. They might invest but not donate.

TFP · **Joined:** Thu Nov 20, 2014 7:25 pm **Posts:** 155

Fair point Chip - I guess we'll find out in the next few weeks. I'm optimistic with Woods and Featherstone, because they seem to be improving under Ronnie (until Woods was injured). The other potential wildcard is Walker. Who knows which version will turn up next season?

I suspect we'll only get three or four in. The best I can see is a tilt at the play-offs. We can carry a few average players at this level if they graft in a unit. We'll also need to avoid major injuries and get a few more decent loanees (necessary evil, sadly).

Mr Irrelevant · **Joined:** Thu Aug 17, 2006 8:25 pm **Posts:** 22676

bresslaw wrote:

My friends ???

Bresslaw has friends?

balltofeet · **Posted:** Tue Apr 28, 2015 9:55 pm

Irrespective of who owns us we need a policy change stop going for a big squad have a nucleus of 16 players with one keeper, as you can always get emergency loans, who are real first team not reserves and not good enough for league football and you through in youth team as squad back up.

We have wasted money on a 22 man squad with people never good enough. quality not quantity.

Most clubs when they have a clear out, which we need, may need to be patient the next season as players take time to gell. Time is needed to build properly again will any manager get it even Ronnie ! In my view it will take 2 season to sustain an impprovement it will be slow progress because of limited finances.

The best stability at Pools believe it or not was under Turner first spell and arguably Turner as Director of Football second spell 2007 - 2010 maybe even 2011 under the likeable Wadsworth.

Neither optimistic nor rock bottom as Pools always flatter to deceive, but we still love them all the same Cana everyone just be patient and we retain just 2 of the promising youngsters say Jones + Green and start again we cannot go back to having 10 squad players young or old who simply cannot play more than 5 games because they are not up to it !

pooliecrab · **Joined:** Tue Dec 16, 2014 9:31 pm **Posts:** 6028

Mr Irrelevant wrote:

The trust will not hand over cash. They might invest but not donate.

Sorry, poor wording. I never meant the Trust would blindly hand over cash and trust IOR to do the right thing, thats what the season tickets are for.

BUT what I was getting at is, even if Trust funds were used to invest in the club, IOR would most likely remain the majority shareholder and retain control. Imagine Ken sitting in a board room with fans, taking their concerns seriously! Never going to happen.

poolie · **Joined:** Thu Nov 13, 2014 4:31 pm **Posts:** 886

I believe ronnie will have a massive clear out hes got no option cos the simple fact is these players who are here at present nearly took us down or they were crocked and didn't give a shit so on that basis the writing is on the wall for most of them and we all know who they are and so will ronnie.
As contracts go for the crocks that cooper saddled us with we know how tight hodcroft runs the club money wise so its beyond belief he would saddle himself with 2 years of debt they will be on 1 year deals with an option for sure.

Jonny · **Posted:** Tue Apr 28, 2015 11:40 pm

Optimistic ?? Of course I fucking am. Yes we got out of jail but we've been playing well for a long time now and apart from a couple of exceptions haven't been tonked. It's great to have a manager that knows what he's doing and that has the ability to get players fighting and scrapping.

We will be pushing for the play offs next year if Moore remains in charge, if Fenwick can stay fit we might also have the illusive goal scorer. It would be brilliant to sign Mirfin and Hugill also unlikely.

HUFC have a real opportunity to build on the euphoria - season tickets at a top price of £200 is a must and admission prices need to be slashed to a maximum price of £15 per seat and £12 to stand for adults. I really hope common sense is shown.

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

Jonny wrote:

Optimistic ?? Of course I fucking am. Yes we got out of jail but we've been playing well for a long time now and apart from a couple of exceptions haven't been tonked. It's great to have a manager that knows what he's doing and that has the ability to get players fighting and scrapping.

We will be pushing for the play offs next year if Moore remains in charge, if Fenwick can stay fit we might also have the illusive goal scorer. It would be brilliant to sign Mirfin and Hugill also unlikely.

HUFC have a real opportunity to build on the euphoria - season tickets at a top price of £200 is a must and admission prices need to be slashed to a maximum price of £15 per seat and £12 to stand for adults. I really hope common sense is shown.

Never do drugs and post.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

misterb2001 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 29, 2015 6:15 am

We've been playing well? Fucking hell! We've been committed I'll give you that, but playing well?

Seagull, Seagull, Seagull. · **Joined:** Tue Dec 02, 2014 11:44 pm **Posts:** 477

I generally agree with names mentioned as becoming the spine of the team. Ducky not really been mentioned- I think he's got a role. Franks has worked as hard as anyone and his crossing improved no end. Nelson-Addy is interesting too.
Above all it will be interesting to see the players playing a little more freely. Don't forget every single game since Ronnie arrived has been must win. We've had to dig deep and it wasn't pretty. The match away at Tranmere gave me hope though. We played some really good football that day. If we get the same commitment but playing more freely I think we could be very comfortable next season and push for promotion the season after.

Pooliepaul · **Joined:** Tue May 17, 2011 2:12 pm **Posts:** 119

If Wycombe managed it I don't see why we can't give it a shot, although I'm sure they will have had a larger budget than ours.

Montpoolier · **Posted:** Wed Apr 29, 2015 8:44 am

I'm optimistic we won't have quite such a desperate season. It wasn't worth great escaping just to go through that again.
I'll settle for never being in the bottom six at any moment after the first 5-6 games (we all start the season joint bottom). Note that that doesn't preclude us finishing first.

kevin pooles gloves · **Joined:** Tue Oct 07, 2014 2:28 pm **Posts:** 9834

We got the fans.
We got the manager.
We got a few decent players to start rebuilding a promotion team around.

Sadly i dont think we got owners to fullfill our potential.
As ive stated before id luv to see Ronnie working under new ambitious owners.

Surely i am not asking to much for us to become an established league one side again and having the odd season challenging for a play-off spot to the championship.

PJPoolie · **Joined:** Wed Mar 06, 2013 6:28 pm **Posts:** 15342

We did play well against Southend, we completely battered the form team in the division for 45 minutes. You can isolate four games were we didn't pick up so many points but take it over ten games and the record W 5 D2 L3. Replicate that over 46 games and you've got the best part of 78 points. The division is rubbish it doesn't take loads to improve your position significantly as I said earlier the prime example was York last season and Wycombe this, hardly clubs with big budgets.

born toulouse · **Posted:** Wed Apr 29, 2015 10:17 am

While I'm still tempted to be optimistic after Saturday there is one big dark cloud that I can't get rid of. Clubs that do well tend to have stability and commitment running from the top down and a reasonable budget. We've got owners who openly want to sell and a CEO that was happy to jump into bed with the dodgy TMH crew. The budget will always be low as long as 1.6 million a year goes on 'admin costs' whether that actually goes to the parent company or not.

Hopefully the combination of a decent manager, a few decent players and some luck with injuries will see us mid-table next year but I daren't hope for better unless there is change at the top.

Jonny · **Posted:** Wed Apr 29, 2015 11:19 pm

misterb2001 wrote:

We've been playing well? Fucking hell! We've been committed I'll give you that, but playing well?

What do you expect ? We aren't going to go from bottom of the league shite to Danny Wilson-esque 23 game unbeaten run are we? When have we played badly? First half against Accy was a shocker (nerves?) York was un-inspiring but we still should have taken a point. Didn't go against Luton or Burton but we can't have been that bad against Burton or we'd have been tonked. We've been in most of the games since January which has been a significant improvement.

Jonny · **Posted:** Wed Apr 29, 2015 11:28 pm

Chip Fireball wrote:

I had to have a chuckle at the we've been playing well lately comment. The players attitude and committment was spot on Saturday but in the games before that ? Luton, York, Accrington, Southend ? We took one point from 4 games and managed to get beat off ten men.

Moore has worked miracles to get us out of the bottom two, but we were helped by Tranmere and Cheltenham as well, and by having some fantastic support in those games. Getting from where we are now to being a top 5 or 6 team is gonna take another miracle, especially if the wage budget stays the same or gets cut.

Hardly a miracle - based on the last 15 games we must be a top half team and that's with key players injured. Add a few signings and stay clear of injuries and there you have a team pushing for or getting in the play offs.....

Jonny · **Posted:** Wed Apr 29, 2015 11:34 pm

PJPoolie wrote:

We did play well against Southend, we completely battered the form team in the division for 45 minutes. You can isolate four games were we didn't pick up so many points but take it over ten games and the record W 5 D2 L3. Replicate that over 46 games and you've got the best part of 78 points. The division is rubbish it doesn't take loads to improve your position significantly as I said earlier the prime example was York last season and Wycombe this, hardly clubs with big budgets.

No it can't be done - Chip has spoken and he is right.

drago · **Joined:** Wed Jun 08, 2011 5:22 pm **Posts:** 418

Always optimistic. Waiting for next season's fixtures...Waiting to see who we get in first round of FA Cup...watching/listening to the draw for the third round to see if we get Liverpool/Chelsea etc...can mid table become a play off finish...Never entertaining the thought that we will go down. Never ever!

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