Based on where we are currently I can’t see us doing any better than around mid table which is better than I thought a few weeks back
The first 11 looks ok but overall squad is weak especially up front and typically there are always injuries, I actually think we may have a decent start given the fixtures but can’t see us maintaining it.

This isn’t a dig at Raj or Grayson just where I see us currently

Looks like we will play 5-3-2 by default mainly

Goalkeeper:- obviously way short currently but working on assumption we will get someone vaguely competent in

Defence - well stocked for center backs , seems our strongest part of squad with decent blend of experience and physicality + good cover

Wing back- this Benn lad comes highly rated and not seen
The bromley lad but behind them 2 very weak, with Stephenson or show horning Charman in as options

Midfiled:- okish, Sheron and Miley likely starters (I can actually see Miley pushed up as attacking mid and walker and Sheron deeper) and well covered defensive mid field wise but attacking mid we are left hoping Campbell is the player we thought we were signing and Francis hits ground running

Attack :- first choice 2 look good at this level but if either Reid or Johnson injured we drop off a cliff quality wise with Charman , Folarin or a kid
Need to sign another striker as cover

Open to being told I talk shite, am more optimistic than a few weeks ago but I don’t see us competing squad wise once we get into the season and injuries come as games come thick and fast…

The big + we may only have 1 manager this season.

Richardson and possibly Williams been touted as Keepers, Can only see them as back up myself.
Need a decent Keeper if we are serious.

Attacking MF and at least 1 more FW.

Cam John is a Left Back / Left Wing Back. He can also play CB, but at 5’11”, that cant be his main position.

Sheron can also cover Right Back, but would obviously leave us shorter in the middle.

I still think we have space for up to 6 more signings.

Experienced keeper
Young backup keeper (possibly young loan kid)
Left Winger (Nkrumah?)
Attacking Midfielder
Striker (Donaldson?)
Tall striker (possibly young loan kid)

Top class loans are important at this level, something Pools rarely if ever utilise or when they do, they are of the poor variety. Plenty of good players playing for the big 3 in the NE , but they will be going everywhere out on loan but here, as per usual.

Yeh get a couple of genuine good loaners could improve things a lot….cleary a great example

Squad wise we seem well behind the likes of Rochdale, Carlisle, FGR etc , and York are obviously ridiculous and not something that can
Be realistically competed with financially

I think this is what we need, but I imagine it'll be 1st choice keeper + a winger and a striker coming in. Would love someone to come in who can play in the Miley mould too seen as our midfield options are all quite slow (Walker, Sheron, Hunter, Feaths) other than him.

Sounds like the budget is almost maxed out if Larry is saying its 90% squad done.

Maybe a cup run could bring a cream loanie in from Febs.

We need to massively reduce last seasons injuries to give us a chance.

A good team spirit is free.

Like I says:
What will be will be.

we have had the odd excellent loan players who really did make a difference. problem has been over the years the loads of kids from teams higher up the leagues who came in only to prove they were no better than our own kids. the worst i saw was the undortunetly names Trusty who was the complete opposite to his name.