Don't know what to make of Sarll's post-match interview with Rob Law last night: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0jfkq1r

When he's asked outright if he'd like to sign Mottley-Henry as long as it's not a bad injury, Sarll says: "No idea. Those discussions are far more group based..."

Turns out Adam Smith is still on trial after all, but again Sarll claims it's not his decision alone: "There are a little bit more complexities to those conversations... it's quite a thorough process, especially here... there are a lot of good people...Lennie and Ronnie and Joe and the Board...

Sass-Davies didn't play because he's mulling over an offer from Pools "me and Lennie, one thing we do agree on is you can never have enough central defenders..."

There aren't any other new signings on the horizon. It's still a 'waiting game' and Sarll claims he isn't bothered: "Some people think it's embarrassing to not fill a bench. I don't."

Some of this might be kidology, but it left me wondering just how much leeway Sarll has to make any more signings.

Why are we playing a keeper we have no intention of signing? So the manager thinks not having a full bench or anywhere near a full bench is ok. I wonder if he says that in a play off final and your getting beat and need to change things. Strange comments to say the least.

Another manager working with his hands tied behind his back.

Bringing up an example of taking 13 players to Wrexham and winning. Are you signing these trialists i havent a clue. Whats happening with adam smith honestly havent a clue. Crikey how long will he put up with that? He is setting the scene of whats to come and has been for a while now.

I'd say it's part of the reason he got the job, willing to work with a small squad.

Doesnt look like he wants to be forced into getting any cheap shite in. Wants to die on his own sword and not others.

I don’t think he’s that dumb .

if negotions are ongoing with players and/or their agents maybe Sarll doesnt want to rock the boat by sounding too keen. For example if an offer is on the table and the player hasnt yet agreed, it would not be wise to hint one way or another. "I haven't a clue" is possibly the best answer to give though from supporters perspective not very satisfactory.

Anyone remember 12 August 2020?

Debutants being Tony Lormor, Coventry loanee Barry Ferguson and trialist James Sharp - who met his team mates that morning on the bus at Scotch Corner - my memory of that day (outside of the 2-0 win) was the immense performance from Sharpie. So, let's not worry too much...

A change of tone from Sarll on new signings, previously very open and direct.

Now being more guarded.

I don't think Sarll ever negotiated with players or agents, that is for Joe Monks and maybe Lennie Lawrence.

He doesn't sound like a man not in control of who signs, as he says he would rather take 12 players he would use rather than 16 who he won't. It's his choice if he names them in the squad or puts them on the pitch.

I think we are struggling to find the quality that we need which is frustrating for everyone, but Sarll is being very clear and direct in that he trusts those players we have in the squad.

Think you mean 2000 If Sharp was still playing I'd have him back

He might trust the fit players we have in the squad but with Pools track record with injuries, he might change his opinion pdq.

Thanks Mr Hogans. Yes 2000. And Lord James was immense that day. But what a manager we had....

He's definitely changed his tune. Why is the question. He's a bright bloke so there's deffo a bit of game playing going on.

Ye Lincoln away. I was at that game with a huge Poolie following.
Different ownership then like.

Don't panic PTID will tell us everything is sweet as a nut. He's certainly different.
My compliment of the day.

If people can’t see the writing on the wall I despair, 5th biggest attendances in league, still getting parachute payments and we are discussing whether it’s a good or bad thing to have a full subs bench !

Well I'm not panicking and I've never claimed everything is sweet as a nut have I. I think I've mentioned numerous times I'd like to see more players signed and in fact I'd expected them by now.
But I can't change anything, and at the end of the day Sarlls job and reputation are on the line.
We still dont know why any more players havent arrived and any speculation on budgets or club finances are just that, none of us know the true facts.

With this pressing game.
The bench needs to be fulla fit quality personnel.

There seems to be a dummy out scenario for the poor St Sales.
Maybe a bit more credibility to your 1 in 1 out phrases wudent go amiss.

Major sty[e good luck required for the objective of promotion as it stands now.

We have a big advantage we are allowed to use 5 subs this year with sarlls pressing style, but hey let’s not bother filling the bench unless it’s with kids so we can save a few quid
Such false economics as the worse we do the less chance Raj has of getting his money back

You couldnt make it up its not even august and were worrying whether we can fill a bench.

its the modern day approach now where managers have little say in transfer negotiations even if they earmark new ones they want to sign. agree with his approach about numbers if we avoid our injuries and he will live or die by his approach.

or just sign any old crap then to make up the numbers like the last two seasons. football might be regarded as a 16 man game but still with only 11 on the pitch at any one time. throughout next season we,ll see teams using all their subs to others who without injuries will not use any. i,d guess now if we play well we,d use less than when we play badly apart from those stupid subs made with a couple of minutes left.

DS said in a former interview that he knows we are all anxious about the squad size and lack of transfer activity this last month - he took that on the chin and said its down to him - he perhaps is been too picky also, Priced out of a few things and also like he said the market is terrible. The free agents and young released players are not upto his standards unfortunately - lets just hope that doesnt bite us in the ass like it always does. I get we dont want any old shite but there must be some free agents who can cut it at this level still looking for a contract. Hoping we see Davies and Henry offered something too. GK i dont think we going to see anything till the prem window shuts either.

In his interview about signings he said it was down to him Joe Monks, Lennie Lawrence, Ronnie Moore and the BOARD there is the problem does that then mean we have half wits like Mr Walter Mitty Shithead dictating who should come to the club. If we do not do well it will be Mr Sarll that gets the bullet not any of the others named.

By the board we know he means Raj, ie what the budget will allow, suspect Sarll is getting frustrated as well tbh though he can’t say it

Don't know what would be wrong with him saying the moneys tight or we need to offload some before we can bring any in though. Or to say he's happy with what he's got rather than say in the previous interview he's still wanting 4 more in.
Think he'll know his starting 11 by now so if any come in before the season starts it's probable that they'll be on the bench.

He has already offloaded 10 and rumour 1 more might go fairly soon. So if were struggling for money already god help us. Think sarl could dig his own grave with fans, if we get off to a bad start and he continues to say he is pretty happy with what he has got.

We all know money is tight and its probobly the real reason signings have stopped, might be wise for him to actually drop that in now and again or fans will thinks all down to him. We have history with poor recruitment in transfer windows last few years. We just got to hope the 5 he has brought in are much better quality than previous or we are in trpible.

At this point I hope folks were right and DS does have what he said he had, the desire and budget to bring in a few more. I don't think he does and to be fair, I can see why he doesn't say so. If the treatment room stays quiet, we might be OK.

i genuinly believe him when he states its down to him being the one dragging his heels. He stated Monks has come to him with numerous offerings and being the experienced manager he is, turned them down as he probs knew they shite. He stated there is conversations still to be had and on going - there will no doubt be money set aside should one of these targets be successful like the Slogget one.

looks as though we will be seeing new lads come into the side maybe 2/3 games into the season now

Numerous Pools managers in recent times have bust their proverbial guts in order to complete a full squad of >20 players with kids and journeymen - only to find that the squad is lacking quality in key areas 4 or 5 games into the new season. Sarll is therefore absolutely right in holding back some of his powder until reality kicks in at which point EFL clubs may also decide to offload players on loan for precisely the same reason.

many loan deals seem to come about once the season gets underway plus the odd player from the EFL being available for transfer to bring in a late signing due to reaching the maximum available squad numbers due to league rules.

yep i think its clever - he will realise how weak we are in certain positions or might even think a change in formation would suit etc if we brought in X Y Z ? think we will see another quality player come in and a good loanee keeper.

Probs find out about Henry come the end of the week aswell as id imagine if fit he will go in saturdays squad ?