I’ve seen some teams and players down the years, but this one is there with the worst when it comes to characters in the team, it’s all bland energy to no purpose, just charging up the pitch and running back down like some demented relay race, it all seems to no purpose as they move along in loose formation, we really do need a few wise heads with big mouths to get organised on the pitch because this is like watching sheep.

We are bloody good at passing and not getting anywhere, im not sure this is the worst team ive ever seen but when your getting battered at oxford city and by solihull questions should be asked of everyone.

I,ve said in posts in the past, What would i give for a Monkhouse in the team.
I,ve even mentioned Featherstones name, He used to have a right go at
players who were not pulling their weight.

In that case he'd be stood in front of a mirror bollocking himself all game!
Finney was giving plenty out and waving and pointing but likewise needs to look at the replay of the game and look in the mirror.
Too many either not trying hard enough, or not fit / good enough.

Funny that, watching the Altrincham game and one of my lads said that was the first time his name had been mentioned by the commentators, he had a point.

The majority of Askeys players were free agents meaning their previous teams deemed them not good enough, we did strike lucky with Mancini unfortunately look how that turned out.
To get decent players you have to pay a transfer fee then decent wages, unfortunately our owner doesn’t have pots of cash to burn.

I suspect you can pick up a successful free agent, other clubs do.

Wrong and way off the mark both counts.

Some are free agents by choice because their contracts have come to an end and, although they are often offered a deal to stay on, they look for a change or are offered a better deal elsewhere, like Armstrong and Oates did. Molyneux and Sterry were also free agents. If Hartley's two year deal brigade were free agents they would come under the category you describe, Jamie. Unfortunately they're not.

Given that the current team has won 6 from 12, I've got them well ahead of Hartley's Heroes last season, who couldn't buy a win till Hartley got the bullet. Not to mention truly awful sides put out by the likes of Mick Docherty, Bob Moncur and Viv Busby. And the sides 'managed' (but that's not the right word) by team wreckers like Martin Scott, Richard Money and Dave Jones.

Your main point (lack of leaders on the pitch) is a fair one though. As things stand Matty Dolan should be in the side (in midfield) and captain. I've never seen any evidence that David Ferguson is captain material. His own head drops when Pools are struggling - not exactly an ideal character trait for a skipper!

I think Dolan is a must to start on Saturday, even the new lad on trial who came on (his name escapes me) looked a breath of fresh air in his cameo appearance.
We are suffering from injuries, that can’t be denied and it would be crazy to think it won’t be a problem, but there must be a viable second line to hold the line, which we appear to find a problem.

On the money Snowy

The fact Dolan and Aghatise are both midfielders should already see them starting ahead of a defender in hendrie and a striker in Grey! Better than having square pegs in round holes surely.

Excatley.
That tin pot team up the A19 seem to manage it.

Sunderland

especially when it weakens the team in other places. rather have two poor midfielders in the side with the rest in there preferred positions. its like the fergie arguement yet again but now with grey and hendrie. do not rate dolan but neither are grey and hendrie decent mid fielders either.

Agree with Dolan, He has a little flair and guile (clever but sometimes dishonest behaviour that you use to deceive someone)

When Dolan came on the frantic headless chicken behaviour died down, if we put the same ream out again we’re inviting trouble.

Snowy stop talking sense and get yaself a coaching badge, lol

Or as the manager of Dorking puts it F--KEM

The link to the video of his is class, And sums up what football means to true followers.

honestly until i saw which team was selected i,d make my mind up then whether to go to the game or not. lasttuesdays one then i,d watch the tide coming in for excitement. it must be bad when dolan comes on to improve a team.

It is pretty bad though, isn't it? There's no organiser in midfield at the minute -Crawford, Finney, Hendrie and Grey played like strangers, which is little surprise as two of them aren't midfielders at all. Tom Crawford failed his audition as midfield general (again) and was replaced by Dolan. I don't expect miracles from Matty Dolan but at least he's got a bit of nous and isn't afraid to take responsibility.

Anyway, courtesy of Christmas shopaholic Keith Curle he got Nicky Featherstone's contract, so he may as well assume the position

Featherstone wasn't getting a game under Askey until Sylla started playing funny buggers so you're right he has assumed the position - not in team.